looking for some advice on my flat towing setup

[roaniecowpony]

No not yet, just took it for a 30 mile test drive up and down the highway.

Good? Improved?

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[dragoneggs]

Cody… it sounds like you are on top of it. Keep up the diligence. Just so we are all on the same page… death wobble is not the same as wandering. Death wobble is violent and scares the shit out of you.

 

[fuelfox4949]

Good? Improved?

Steering felt more responsive... a bit tighter. slight tap on the wheel and it would zoom over quick, still a tiny vibration in the floor at 65 mph. it improved a little bit I would say.

 

[fuelfox4949]

Cody… it sounds like you are on top of it. Keep up the diligence. Just so we are all on the same page… death wobble is not the same as wandering. Death wobble is violent and scares the shit out of you.

Yeah Bud I been Jeeping 20 years, I had XJ's, I love working on rigs.

I know the difference between floating around down the highway wandering back and forth in your lane because of a slight breeze and OMG look out this pig has a mind of its own!

 

[RubiBlueJLU]

After reading all 4 pages of comments.......have you checked out the tow bar?

Is it new or used?
Is it locking in place as it should?
Do you here it click into locked position?
Can you physically push and get the bars to release?

I have pulled a 2001 TJ and now pull a 2021 JLURD. Used 3 different tow bars and I am currently using the Blue Ox that "was" used to pull the TJ. Never had an sway issue with any. Even had a sloppy bar to bumper connection (adapters) and still no sway.

Can you borrow another truck and try to tow it? Mabey the truck is the issue.
Can you "borrow" another tow bar and try towing with that?

Sounds like the Jeep is up to par, but then you never know.


Good luck!

 

[fuelfox4949]

After reading all 4 pages of comments.......have you checked out the tow bar?

Is it new or used?
Is it locking in place as it should?
Do you here it click into locked position?
Can you physically push and get the bars to release?

I have pulled a 2001 TJ and now pull a 2021 JLURD. Used 3 different tow bars and I am currently using the Blue Ox that "was" used to pull the TJ. Never had an sway issue with any. Even had a sloppy bar to bumper connection (adapters) and still no sway.

Can you borrow another truck and try to tow it? Mabey the truck is the issue.
Can you "borrow" another tow bar and try towing with that?

Sounds like the Jeep is up to par, but then you never know.


Good luck!

I did buy a used blue ox tow bar and it was well taken care of. I even put in new washers and changed the ends because it hooks to my front bumper shackle mounts. I can lock it in place and hear the click also I can release it by hand.

unfortunately none of my friends have trucks or even large suvs and no other tow bar to try out.

I am actually leaning towards a problem with the jeep, that small vibration I had intensifies if I do not hold the wheel and correct it myself.
looking at it tonight with little light left I believe my drag link to pitman arm may have play in it and the boot is ripped.
tomorrow after work I am going to put my stock drag link back on and realign it and see if that makes a difference. Also I plan to replace the upper axle bushings because I believe they may be softened due to the miles off road I have put on it.
Right now I am trying to see what the best way to check hub bearings is.

on a more positive note the girlfriend gave me the green light to buy a 18 ft aluminum car hauler, shes says its for my birthday coming up here in August but somehow I get to pay for my whole birthday gift.
LOL smart women

 

[garykk]

Can you post a photo of the JL hooked up to the truck. Curious as to the height of the JL connections With the lift and 37s.
although you said the tow bar is level, I’m wondering if the height on the Jeep end is too high.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Can you post a photo of the JL hooked up to the truck. Curious as to the height of the JL connections With the lift and 37s.
although you said the tow bar is level, I’m wondering if the height on the Jeep end is too high.

Just my experience, but my jeep attach points are much higher than the tow vehicle and it tows as nicely as I would expect.

 

[fuelfox4949]

This was just so test for in the driveway a couple months back.

 

[fuelfox4949]

I will try to get some pictures tonight right now.It's not letting me upload any

 

[fuelfox4949]

 

[roaniecowpony]

This is mine. It tows fine.

 

[LukeDagny]

fuelfox4949 and roaniecowpony, why do you use an extension for your tow bars and not connect directly to the tow vehicles receiver?

Does your BlueOx tow bar have to be level within +/- 3"

 

[fuelfox4949]

fuelfox4949 and roaniecowpony, why do you use an extension for your tow bars and not connect directly to the tow vehicles receiver?

Does your BlueOx tow bar have to be level within +/- 3"

I had to get a 6 inch riser to get it level.

 

[Occam'sRazor]

I just recently added SteerSmarts components to replace the OEM tie rod and drag link. Also decided to put a Fox ATS steering stabilizer but haven’t tried flat towing with this set up. The reason for the tie rod/drag link upgrade was because of premature worn OEM components causing death wobble.

Even the my flat towing has been flawless for several thousand miles, I was worried about getting death wobble when towing thus the SteerSmarts.

The Fox ATS is stiffer than my Exact Center but it doesn’t ‘return to center’. I haven’t flat towed with my new suspension yet and hope I didn’t screw that up fixing something else! I kept my Exact Center in case.

Good luck finding the solution to your wandering. I can vouch for the Exact Center taking care of wandering of my 2dr (stock and not being towed). It did wonders. My guess is the Fox would have been similar. One thing the Exact Center does is give you a bit more ability to back up with your toad without jack knifing.

Not directly on subject but do you really back up with your toad hooked up? I was under the impression this was bad juju. Just checked my owners manual and it is pretty specific that bacon up when flat towing can cause damage. I would love to back up a bit at times without unhooking.

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