Flat Tow Behind An RV?

[JayBob]

My 48 CJ2A project has all original equipment except it has an MB front axle without manual lock outs. Previous owner broke the original somehow when he was younger and messing around off road or something.

I was wondering if I could flat tow this CJ2A behind an RV? Seems like it would be great as it's so light and would be fun to drive around after camp was set up if we needed to go to town or something.

Thanks.

[gmwillys]

You can tow behind a larger vehicle with no problem. The horror stories cone when the pulling vehicle is the same weight or less. That's when the Jeep acts more like a pendulum, swinging side to side and dragging the pulling vehicle with it. A heavy pulling vehicle will keep the Jeep in check.
As far as the front axle, it would be best to have lock out hubs installed, so it keeps the front axle from turning. As a tip, I would invest in a thermal temp gun. This can be used to take temperatures of the hubs and rear axle from time to time to ensure all bearings are happy along the trip. The temp gun allows you to point it at housings without crawling underneath.

[JayBob]

Yeah, the lack of the lock outs is what makes me nervous with towing. My 29' class A Fleetwood Southwind with the 454 isn't even going to know the little Jeep is back there...but I don't want to smoke the tranny or axle.

And the thermal temp gun, I need to get one of those anyway to check the RV tires too. Good idea for the hubs.

I'm not too familiar with hubs, so you can replace the hubs with lock outs on a WWII axle?

[gmwillys]

You can replace the front and rear, (WWII floating rear axle or the two piece axle/hub style) with lock outs. Then none of the drive train will turn, except the hubs while being towed. There are a couple of links to information for the conversion. Just ensure you have the correct rear end assembly identified before ordering parts, i.e. axle spline count.

https://forums.off-road.com/jeep-short-wheelbase/206112-flat-tow-locking-hubs-rear-axle.html

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/154-0910-early-dana-44-full-floater-axle-kit/

Some information on flat towing; http://www.visualsc.com/jeep_flat_towing.pdf

[JayBob]

Wow, I never even thought about the rear hubs. That's a great idea! Thanks!

[gmwillys]

Check out the link to Alaska or Rust. Several Willys owners went on an epic road trip on the Alcan Highway. The author ended up flat towing his DJ (2WD), but it is an interesting read.

http://www.ewillys.com/category/alaska-or-rust-trip/?orderby=date&order=ASC&more=1