Tow bar O.K.?

[Reformed]

Was looking around for a dolly to tow the rig to and from trails, but was just thinking if it would be easier just to use a tow bar. Any thoughts?? My 4Runner is a 4cyl so I don't want a full trailer.... Oh, and if anyone's got a dolly or tow bar they're getting rid of, let me know. :wink:

[MuddMachine]

I pulled my zook with my buddies 84 toy pickup, it had a half decent 22r in it, did the job not too badly. Towbar works fine, if you buy one for gods sake dont buy a reese tow bar. I wouldnt pull a go-cart with one of those things.

[screech]

I just made a tow bar for mine ,I got all the stuff at Princess auto for around $100 ,works real nice .I tow with my 87 chevy ,7" lift on 35"s

[Reformed]

Cool, but will the OPP or MTO give you a hard time for using a tow bar??

[MuddMachine]

Cool, but will the OPP or MTO give you a hard time for using a tow bar??

Nope, just be safe about it.... I have a chain on the towbar that goes to the tow rig and another chain that goes from tow rig to zook.

[screech]

There should be no problem like Muddmachine said, people tow cars behind motor homes all the time. My safty chains go from my Zuk , cross under the tow bar and hook to the tow rig.they cost the most out of the hole setup :beer:

[cowazuki]

I tow mine with an 86 4-runner. I haven't had a problem yet. I've got my zook set up with the chains running from my zook to my runner with the chains crossing under the tow bar. Don't forget a little lock for the latch (this way the cops can't say anything about you having a bolt through the latch). I went to Princess Auto and waited for there set of towing lights to go on sale (magnet style). You plug them in and go.

Hope this helps you out. :roll:

[Criminal0]

so .. Q? ..... using a tow bar ..

1)what about lights on the towed zuk? are they manditory? can i just run with the towed zuk with 4-ways on?

2) what about braking, do i need aditional braking assist err something?



thx ?

[TheSarg]

No braking assistance is required by law in Canada, mostly the UK.

For lights they are required, its easy, goto princess auto n buy a set of 4 prong magnetic lights, wire it up n boom yer dun.

[MuddMachine]

No braking assistance is required by law in Canada, mostly the UK.

For lights they are required, its easy, goto princess auto n buy a set of 4 prong magnetic lights, wire it up n boom yer dun.

What he said. ;)

[Criminal0]

i often use a towbar to tow a zuk behind my 2door 16v zook; it pulls ok (till i get to a hill -- LOL) .. but

it is ~only~ a zuk, pulling equal to its own wieght ,, so . I have found that i get ALOT less left/rite pull (and it generally feels safer) while hiway driving .. if i LOCK the steering on the tow vehicle .. admittedly, its a terror in the city, but i jsut go SLOW it pulls around corners ok; Q:

What is the proper method?
1) Locking the tow vehicle steering
2) NOT locking the steering ??

Thoughts?

[Criminal0]

......and jsut as a side bar question ..

how grossly am i exceeding mto regulations for weight on that?


:)

[Zuklin]

I have limited experience with the towbar but everyone i have talked to say "NO LOCKED STEERING".

Also for interest sake, PA has some CHEAPOLAAA towing lights coming on sale next week... PG51... $27.77

[Depot]

unlocked steering wheel.. the only reason id ever lock one is if ur alighnment is WAY outta wack causing the towed vehicle to go fer lunch.

As far as weight and MTO goes... zuks have blue plates.. there is no specified weight restrictions per such. There is however common sence. Like I've said b4, U can tow just about anything with just about anything... controlling and stopping it is where lief becomes fun.

Just imagine pulling a heep with a tricycle.. sure eventually u'd get it moving.. now lets see u turn or stop it and live to tell about it :yike

D

[Buggy]

the way i got my zuk was my dad needed something to tow behind a motor home.well he towed it to flordia a few times and unhooked once too much angle between the hitch and towbar when he went into a parking lot (reason for the custom bumber now) he keep the key on the on position and you can get a simple switch for the battery at princess auto the only thing is make sure its ounted well and good chains

[SuziCrazy]

I towed my Samurai behind my truck (Ranger, and now Sport Trac) for 3+ years using a Princess auto tow bar. I've always towed with the steering unlocked as the front wheels will follow. I've never had any issues with the cops, infact I stoped in at Tim Hortons and spoke to a cop about my setup and he had no issues with it (except I was using a screw to hold the latch). :rant:

[Big-block-Sami]

What he said. ;)
X3

the tow bars come under the same laws as such things as portable welders, tow behind cement mixers and such... they are considered part of the tow vehicle while attached. That means the weight restrictions are that of the tow vehicle, no brakes are required. Not like a trailer where as soon as your over a given "trailer + cargo" weight that then you need brakes.
As for the steering being locked, you fine the majority of vehicles will follow behind perfectly with the steering unlocked, but there are exceptions where the towed vehicle wants to go the total opposite direction of the tow V.
I had a military 4x4 that the steering centre link was behind the axle and it responded that way so just tower her with steering locked straight forward.
BBS