Can a Rodeo be flat towed behind an RV?

Hi all!!!

I was wondering, can I flat tow my Rodeo behind an RV (all 4 wheels on the ground)? It's a 1999 automatic, 4x4.......

thanks in advance!!!

Hi there , thats what i found out ,hope this my help u

Towing with all four wheels on the ground
1 Transfer case in 2H(4WD model only)
2 Transmision in Neutral
3 Maximum speed 30 mph
4Maximum distance 50 miles
If You are towing the vehicle at distance and speed greater than shown disconect the drive shaft from rear axle in 2WD models and in 4WD models disconect front shaft also and secure them so they wont fall and scrape a ground.

If U are towing with front wheels off the ground same procedure as above but only rear drive shaft will have to be disconected.

I was thinkin about towing it about 5K miles, but your response suggests that idea is a NO go.....

I'll look for alternate tow transportation unless I hear otherwise from this thread.

thanks for the help!!

Can anyone comment on thsi idea.....

I found this drive shaft coupling device (DSC)
http://www.remcotowing.com/drive.asp

$750 + 3 hours labor to install.

I want to pull the Rodeo as a tow vehicle, meaning, I want to use it as I stop in different destinations on a 3 month RV road trip.

this DSC allows you to engage/disengage from inside the vehicle, IOW, on the fly engage/disengage of the rear drive shaft.

Any thoughts?

the guy selling those said I don't need to disconnect the front drive shaft, but I don't know if I can trust that.

No problem , i gave you an info from 1999 isuzu rodeo owners manual. That's the only way to do it ,disconect drive shafts .This will be pain in the neck to crawl under the truck to reconect disconect driveshafts everyt stop.Other option u may consider is renting a tow trailer (full trailer ) from UHAUL for about 59 $ a day
I think coupling will work except 2 of them will have to be installed 1 for rear 1 for front and 750$a piece it's kind of pricey.With only one on the rear you still need to rent a tow dolly unless you own one already for the front wheels.In my opinion the best and cheapest way would be taking different vehicle for a trip.

I've read in RV forums where ppl have had the disconnects installed (from the same place) and love them. I dont know why the owners manual says to disconnect the front drive shaft, there is no reason. The front stub axle already has an internal disconnect for the shift on the fly. In addition to the rear drive shaft disconnet you probably also want to replace the front axle hub flanges with manual disconnect hubs. This will stop the CV axles from turning and greatly reduce the wear on them.

With the drive shaft disconnect and manual front hubs you should be good to go.

I've read in RV forums where ppl have had the disconnects installed (from the same place) and love them. I dont know why the owners manual says to disconnect the front drive shaft, there is no reason. The front stub axle already has an internal disconnect for the shift on the fly. In addition to the rear drive shaft disconnet you probably also want to replace the front axle hub flanges with manual disconnect hubs. This will stop the CV axles from turning and greatly reduce the wear on them.

With the drive shaft disconnect and manual front hubs you should be good to go.

Thanks! That is exactly what the REMCO guy said. He said you use the disconnect, the tow in 2WD High in PARK, the front would be disconnected in that fashion.

I ask anyone to contradict this as I am very confident this is the way to go if I can make it work.

I will change to the manual lock hubs, thanks for reminding me of that - i was doing it anyway when i convert to lift kit!

can anyone confirm the weight of my 1999 auto 4x4

I found this online
Curb Weight, lbs. 3860-4124

If there was a true 'neutral' setting on the transfer case selector, this would be no problem. Pop the xfer case in 'N' and tow away! Other than that, you dont want to tow live with the just the trans in neutral as some of the trans internals will be spinning away with no pressurized lube (engine off). That's a bad thing. Certain AT's can be towed in neutral. Saturn cars are one of them.

Joel

If there was a true 'neutral' setting on the transfer case selector, this would be no problem. Pop the xfer case in 'N' and tow away! Other than that, you dont want to tow live with the just the trans in neutral as some of the trans internals will be spinning away with no pressurized lube (engine off). That's a bad thing. Certain AT's can be towed in neutral. Saturn cars are one of them.

Joel

Hey Joel, I had a hard time understanding. I know Jeeps can be put in nuetral. I think I read your statement as saying the RODEO DOES NOT have a true nuetral, and thus requires the Drive Shaft Disconnect....

please confirm!

thanks everyone!

For some reason the 1998+ xfer case shifter only has Hi-lo, no real middle or neutral point as fas as I know. I do know the these transfer cases will pop between Hi-Lo and go into a freewheel position if the driveline is in too much of a bind. I dunno for sure if that is a true neutral tho?

Joel

Find a light-weight flatbed trailer and up you go, safest way with the minimalist amount of wear.

Did this same thing with my '91 Rodeo 4x4 automatic, we went around and around. No one had a straight answer. Wanted to haul it 6k miles behind the RV we had at the time, some would say to do this, others would say to do that. Owners manual said no-way without disconnecting drive shafts, figured a flat-bed came cheaper/easier then constantly disconnecting the driveshaft.

98+ does not have a true neutral position. You can find a spot in between where its not in gear, however its not notched so it could easily pop into gear while towing. The driveshaft disconnect is a much better option.

It could also be handy if you are off roading and manage to break a rear axle shaft. Just pull the lever and drive home in front wheel drive :grinyes:

I dont know what the actual weight is but the GVWR according to the lable on the door jam is 4850 lbs. GVWR is how much weight your vehicle is designed to carry. The GVWR includes the net weight of the vehicle, plus the weight of passengers, fuel, cargo and any accessories added to the vehicle after purchase. So it would be less then that since you wont be carrying passengers.

I have a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo with the 2.2 4 cyl and a 5 speed manual transmission. I've been flat towing it for several years now with no problems. I merely leave the key on and disconnect the negative battery cable and it works like a champ behind my diesel pusher, using a Blue Ox towbar.