Tow a Explorer V8 with AWD?

[1ADP]

Can I tow my Ex (v8 w/AWD) behind my motorhome? I DO NOT want to use a dolly to carry the 2 front wheels and let the rear ones roll.

I've heard you can't do it.

What modifications must I make to it so that the drive train won't get ruined. I heard of something like a "neutral towing kit".

Please, only reply if you know exactly what to do or can direct me to link that explains how to do it.

 

[Glen4X4]

You have to buy a neutral tow kit, you cannot just have the front wheels off the ground since its awd and cannot just let the rear wheels roll in neutral because the rear seal will not hold up for alot of miles. Another option would be to take off the drive shafts while in motion.

 

[1ADP]

Concerning the neutral tow kit- most people say you can't put one on the awd Explorer.

Have you installed a neutral tow kit?

I'm gonna look for another opinion- the general consensus is that the transfer cases are different with the AWD's and thus you can't put a neutral tow kit on the car. There's something about a V6 or V8....one or the other can't be towed as I want to.

I simply don't believe that Ford engineers would be so stupid as to preclude towing an Ex behind an motorhome.

 

[matt0248]

Concerning the neutral tow kit- most people say you can't put one on the awd Explorer.

Have you installed a neutral tow kit?

I'm gonna look for another opinion- the general consensus is that the transfer cases are different with the AWD's and thus you can't put a neutral tow kit on the car. There's something about a V6 or V8....one or the other can't be towed as I want to.

I simply don't believe that Ford engineers would be so stupid as to preclude towing an Ex behind an motorhome.

Why would Ford Engineers even consider towing any of thier vehicles behind an RV? I would think it is not even on their design radar.

Secondly, the Forum can correct me if I am wrong but the AWD system is a completely mechanical system withing the transfer case. Therefore the only option is to trailer it, or remove both front and rear driveshaft. The latter of the two would be a royal pain in the rear.

 

[jrford]

just to confirm as some confuse AWD and 4WD. .
AWD has front driveshafts and transfer case BUT NO switches on the dash.
4WD (CommandTrac) as above WITH switches on the dash - Auto, 4x4 Lock, 4x4Low.

AWD there is no way to tow it without removing the driveshafts, ALSO it MUST be towed on a Flatbed or you will damage the Viscous Clutch. AWD was more designed to be a 'thought-less' four wheel drive system, nothing to shift or worry about, its always on and working. But to do that it needed a Viscous Clutch to lock the F/R axles when things get slippery, and that requires the Axle's always spin at the same speed.

The 4WD CommandTrac by design has a high gear and a low gear which provides the opportunity to shift in-between the two gear or neutral. 4WD does have a Neutral Position which the Tow Kit shifts into and which Disengages the drivetrain from the Axles.

Hopefully this helps?

 

[waskly]

I simply don't believe that Ford engineers would be so stupid as to preclude towing an Ex behind an motorhome.

they build cars to be driven not towed...

 

[imp]

.....which the Tow Kit shifts into and which Disengages the drivetrain from the Axles.
Hopefully this helps?

This is the key to the issue: the Tow Kit disengages the transfer case from the transmission, as well as the drive axles.

Any towing operation which causes the transmission internal parts to be driven with the driveshaft will damage the transmission, as there is no lubrication provided to the "guts" unless the engine is running.

This, of course, is not the case with a manual transmission, and therein lies the reason why many folks desiring to tow their Explorer bought one with a manual, when they were still factory-offered. imp