From New Dimensions turbotim@newdimensions.com
Time/Date 08:55 PM 07/29/97

Ok after having my truck blow up the case I made it home but Tom had to get towed so I thought why not flat tow one truck with another to get it home. Is it possible and does anyone made a tow bar to do it?? If not maybe some one can make one ??

any idea's ??

Tim 97 Yellow OpenTop

I have seen a Hummer with a draw bar on the front. It was removable and only the brackets remained on the front. I think that they were attached at the former location of the front shackles. I also saw an AMG promo video (several years ago) that showed an RV towing a Hummer. (Small RV, but towing down hill [g])

This should not be difficult to fab, but I have no idea if anyone already makes one. Would be nice not to loose the front shackles.

As for flat towing, AMG says that with the transfer case in N, the Hummer may be towed unlimited distances. Therefore, the drive shafts should only be removed if the vehicle damage requires it.

If you remove one shaft, you must remove both. AMG says that if you tow rolling on only one set of wheels, you must drop the drive shaft of the rolling axle to prevent damage to the transfer case. Removing one shaft and flat-towing would be the same as lifting one end and towing - possible transfer case damage.

My owner's manual states that towing on one axle for "up to 30 miles at up to 30 mph" is allowed without dropping a drive shaft. I would be very cautious here.

Dave Breggin
'95 Diesel Wagon

Towing a Hummer - Let the Tower Beware

If you plan on towing your Hummer, carefully double-check your state's vehicle codes. In at least one major state, no driver holding a license other than a Class A Commercial License may tow any vehicle that has a GVWR in excess of 10,000 lbs. (that means most of us, folks - the Hummer has a GVWR of 10,300 lbs., or higher, depending on various commercial options). The one exception to this rule is for boat trailers when towing for non-commercial or recreational purposes.

Looking for a way to tow our Hummer behind our motorhome without disconnecting the front and rear drive shafts.

Does anyone know who might make disconnect sleeves or something similar for disconnecting drive shafts for towing.

Thanks,

Peter Hipson
1995 White NA Hummer Wagon

peter,

disconnecting the driveshafts takes about five minutes, and an 8mm wrench, you take off the clamps that hold the spider on the joint at the diffs. and the shaft will telescope out of the way. the only hassle is that you may need to move the truck a bit so you can access the bolts.

just make yourself something to hold them up... i usually use a couple of tie wraps.....

thanks, sam

We did this with our H2, and will be doing it shortly with the H1. We used a BlackHawk Max towbar with an 8000lbs rating, and used the matching brake system. The brake system is actually pretty cool. It hooks to the air brakes on the MoHo, and lights a little red light on the dash when the brakes in the Hummer are activated. The brake system also has an air reservoir that will lock the brakes in the H1 on if it becomes detached.

We had the rear lights on the truck wired through to a plug on the front so the lights would work without using extra aux lights (you can't use magnetic lights on the H1!). You place the transfer case in Neutral and the transmission in Park. Make sure you leave the keys in the ignition (in case there's a steering lock) and have a spare set of keys (so you can lock it while it's in tow). You need to pump the truck brakes 5-6 times with the engine off to empty the brake assistance reservoir (otherwise you'll lock the wheels on the first couple of applications). Don't forget to let off the parking brake!

The whole thing works great. The H1 will not rack up any additional mileage on the odometer, but all the whirly bits from the wheels to the T-case will be accumulating miles. And, of course, you'll be wearing out your tires.

Gas mileage on the MoHo will suck mighty rocks, especially if you go up any hills. Our MoHo has a 595hp Caterpillar turbodiesel, and I've seen 0.3mpg [Shocked] while climbing the Rockies. Normal enroute mileage is 13mpg with no toad (the car behind is being towed - toad - geddit?) and 5-8 with either the H2 or a 22' toybox trailer (with two motorcycles and my SL500 in it). The H2 is actually quite lardy, so I'm expecting similar mileage with the H1 in back. Our previous MoHo had a 325hp Cummins, and it would overheat going up long hills. I wouldn't want to tow the H1 behind any gas MoHo or any diesel with less than 450hp.

Call me a nutter, if you will, but my normal on-the-flat tow speed is 75-80, and braking is as you would expect from a 50,000lb ensemble traveling at those speeds. Ain't no arguing with the laws of physics. It takes a while to achieve cruise speed, but maintaining it is no problem.

kkealy