Norm
New Member
Posts: 10
|
Post by Norm on May 16, 2005 12:26:52 GMT -5
Looking to buy a sidekick as a multipurpose vehicle, daily driver mostly on pavement, occasionally to be towed behind motor home as a get around vehicle when camping ect. ? what configuration should i look for or is this the wrong vehicle?
|
|
|
|
Post by crikeymike on May 16, 2005 13:50:46 GMT -5
You can buy front mounted tow hitch thingy's from RV places to fit onto sidekicks/trackers.
Everyone uses these things as tow behind vehicles for RV's
Quite often, the ones for sale with low miles were used for this purpose.
|
|
Norm
New Member
Posts: 10
|
Post by Norm on May 16, 2005 14:00:29 GMT -5
I already have a couple of tow bars, what i was concerned about was if a 4wd 5sp would tow for long distances with both gear boxes in neutral without sustaining damage. i think you answered my question though.
thanks
|
|
|
|
Post by crikeymike on May 16, 2005 14:27:31 GMT -5
Yeah, with both boxes in neutral and the front hubs unlocked, you'll just be putting some wear on the rear diff and of course wheel bearings, but nothing else.
Sticking a t-case in neutral can actually work as a theft deterrant. Lots of people wouldn't even think about the t-case if trying to steal it and it doesn't go anywhere. Just make sure the parking brake works great.
|
|
|
|
Post by maxandkitty on May 17, 2005 12:08:07 GMT -5
Hi Crikeymike;
I have a 94,4x4 2 door sidekick that I am rigging up to tow behind my motorhome. I have looked at several brackets for attaching a tow bar to. Some are attached underneth to frame parts in different ways that probably work well, but require a lot of work building.
What I did is remove the plastic bumper cover, remove the foam used for impact which gives you access to the bumper itself. The bumper has two sets of holes approx. 18 inches apart. I used two pieces of flat bar 3/8'' X 1 1/2 X 5". I drilled two 5/16 holes to match the bumper holes and bolted it on with grade 8 bolts. On this 3/8 plate I welded two horns,1/4 X 1 1/2" X about 3" with 1/2" holes in one end. These stick thru the styrofoam and plastic bumper and attach to the tow bar. It took me approx. 5 hours.
There is a little carving of the foam and slotting the plastic bumper, but all in all it is very strong and hardly noticeable.. If interested let me know and I could send pictures.--Max
maxandkitty@icehouse.net
|
|
|
|
Post by maxandkitty on May 17, 2005 12:12:24 GMT -5
sorry crikeymike, I should of addressed my message to Norm.--Max
|
|
Norm
New Member
Posts: 10
|
Post by Norm on May 17, 2005 13:00:01 GMT -5
You description paints a pretty good picture. i believe i can duplicate your process. thanks for your input. Will post with progress.
|
|
|
|
Post by pandres on Jun 12, 2005 19:11:29 GMT -5
I just joined this discussion... read the past discussions etc. Why? My Sidekick had a major disaster after my first experience towing it. About 20 miles down the road other drivers motioned me to take a look behind... the vehicle was in extreme temperatures... hoses exploded.... engine at highest temps... etc. I stopped. Then started it... WOW nothing but black smoke. Needless to say the engine needed replacing. The dealer said what saved the engine from totally not running was that I had put synthetic oil in the engine just prior to this. However the question remains Why and I think I know the answer.... either the transfer case was still in gear or it had flipped into gear rather than NEUTRAL. Does anybody have any experience with this? The manual says manual transmission in 2nd and transfer case in neutral. Why have the manual transmission in 2nd gear instead of neutral if putting the transfer case in gear causes such overheating?
How do others tow a 4x4 sidekick with manual transmission? Mine is a '90. BTW, I got a nice almost new (17,000 km) '92 engine for it and it runs much better than the old with 250,000 km on it.
|
|
Gman
Counts zuks instead of sheep
Posts: 530
|
Post by Gman on Jun 12, 2005 23:11:40 GMT -5
I needed to check a wheel (That I was pretty sure was bent). So I jacked up the rear of my '95 (automatic w/automatic hubs) and put it on the rear... I gave it a kick and it, of course, was locked in park and I wasn't near the Keys so I shifted the t-case into neutral... it turned some... and then got harder and I heard sounds like the front hubs were trying to lock in...
This is not the first time I have experienced "turn through the Transfer case" When shifted into neutral... with both front and rear driveshafts still locked together...
I towed a '91 5 speed on a dolley and because of the front end damage the t-case shifter wouldn't go back far enough to release 4WD so I just used neutral.... Well, at the first rest stop (about 15 miles @ 60MPH) I was inspecting the tire straps, and noticed fresh grease being slung out of the front left axleshaft... I felt of it and it was warm... from turning the front driveshafts at up to 70 mph inside the strapped down front wheels... freakey... I removed the rear driveshaft... yea it pulled a little easier, I guess...
Jeff
|
|
94box
Senior Member
Posts: 305
|
Post by 94box on Jun 19, 2005 13:23:45 GMT -5
according to the owners manual, cannot tow sidekick with auto locking hubs, don't ask me why, automatics have to be in PARK when being towed, manuals in gear 2 both with transfers in neutral, don't know why -- manual says so
hope this helps,
94box.
|
|
|
|
Post by dplacehaus on Aug 14, 2008 21:57:33 GMT -5
Wanting to tow a sidekick. Am I understanding that you can tow an automatic with both 2x4 and 4x4 in neutral. What is needing to be in Park. I haven't read the owners manuel as this is research for my daughter. She is looking at a tow bar for the sidekick that bolts to the bumber and has chains sold by JCW. any other suggestions or corrections will be greatly appreciated. thank you
|
|
|
|
Post by m000035 on Sept 24, 2008 6:57:47 GMT -5
Sidekicks and Trackers are very popular towds.
I tow mine. (95 auto, 4x4, with manual hubs.) Tranny in Park, transfer case in neutral, hubs unlocked and key on to the first notch. (Unlocking the steering.)
While you put the transfer case in neutral, the gear lube will transfer some rotation through to the transmission. So...you put the transmission in park (or 2nd for a manual) to keep the transmission from turning.
The reason they say you need manual hubs is that the automatic ones sometimes engage is you roll backwards... even just a little bit like at a stop sign on a hill.
Watch what you put in your towd and how it is loaded. I have heard of a lawn chair (or something) shifting and hitting the transfer case lever.... taking it out of neutral. Much damage.
Keep a spare towd key in the tow rig. Use a brake system. The smaller your tow rig, the more you will need it.
|
|
tugjohn
New Member
Snohomish, WA, 1989 Sidekick
Posts: 2
|
Post by tugjohn on Jan 19, 2024 0:24:03 GMT -5
Looking to buy a sidekick as a multipurpose vehicle, daily driver mostly on pavement, occasionally to be towed behind motor home as a get around vehicle when camping ect. ? what configuration should i look for or is this the wrong vehicle? |
|
tugjohn
New Member
Snohomish, WA, 1989 Sidekick
Posts: 2
|
Post by tugjohn on Jan 19, 2024 0:29:36 GMT -5
If you know what you are doing, you can get an inexpensive removable tow bar on eBay. You do have to do a bit more then just drill some holes and bolt it on however. You may need to reinforce the frame to hitch or at least the bumper to frame. With everything in neutral and the hubs unlocked you should be good to go.
|
|
