Recently on a trip to Big Bear, I was towing my Explorer behind my Silverado with a tow bar. I had to brake moderatly hard, and this happened;
I have been towing that Explorer with that tow bar behind vehicles for years with no problems. I already got the Silverado fixed, and my insurance is eating the entire bill, so its not as bad as it looks (damage was over $3,000). I got a brand new tow bar out of the deal! The Explorer came out of it completely unharmed, so the wheelin' weekend was still a blast.
As best as I can figure, when I braked the front suspension on the Explorer unloaded, which caused the tow bar to break off at the mounting tabs when it reached its upward limit of travel. The Explorer pivoted on the bent tow bar arms and ran right into the back of the Silverado. The front wheels of the Explorer were still on the pavement, but if you line up the damage with the "D" ring mounts on the front bumper of the Explorer, you can see how high up it rode (just under the black plastic gate cover).
Now, I don't really want to repeat this adventure, especially since my insurance will most likely not eat this again. I figured out a way to limit the up travel of the tow bar, but it will put pressure on the mounts in a way they were not intended by the tow bar maker. It should hold as the suspension will soften the blow, but am still uncomfortable. On a normal towed vehicle, this type of collision would not be possible, because the suspension only moves a few inches up or down. Not the case with a suspension modified for off-road. I can only imagine what could happen with a coilover'd SAS, after looking at what my TTB did.
I want to come up with some type of front suspension limiting option that is easily removed/installed. I put the sway bar back on with the quick disconnects, but am not sure this will keep the Explorer out of the back of the towed vehicle.
ANY IDEAS??
Please don't tell me to take the tow bar back and get a trailer, because I already thought of that. They cost about the same, but I really don't have the space for a car hauler.
I have been towing that Explorer with that tow bar behind vehicles for years with no problems. I already got the Silverado fixed, and my insurance is eating the entire bill, so its not as bad as it looks (damage was over $3,000). I got a brand new tow bar out of the deal! The Explorer came out of it completely unharmed, so the wheelin' weekend was still a blast.
As best as I can figure, when I braked the front suspension on the Explorer unloaded, which caused the tow bar to break off at the mounting tabs when it reached its upward limit of travel. The Explorer pivoted on the bent tow bar arms and ran right into the back of the Silverado. The front wheels of the Explorer were still on the pavement, but if you line up the damage with the "D" ring mounts on the front bumper of the Explorer, you can see how high up it rode (just under the black plastic gate cover).
Now, I don't really want to repeat this adventure, especially since my insurance will most likely not eat this again. I figured out a way to limit the up travel of the tow bar, but it will put pressure on the mounts in a way they were not intended by the tow bar maker. It should hold as the suspension will soften the blow, but am still uncomfortable. On a normal towed vehicle, this type of collision would not be possible, because the suspension only moves a few inches up or down. Not the case with a suspension modified for off-road. I can only imagine what could happen with a coilover'd SAS, after looking at what my TTB did.
I want to come up with some type of front suspension limiting option that is easily removed/installed. I put the sway bar back on with the quick disconnects, but am not sure this will keep the Explorer out of the back of the towed vehicle.
ANY IDEAS??
Please don't tell me to take the tow bar back and get a trailer, because I already thought of that. They cost about the same, but I really don't have the space for a car hauler.