flat tow question

wagonslayer · Jul 25, 2008

Has anybody flat towed a rig with full hydro steering?

Spanaway Mudder · Jul 25, 2008

flexjay said:
Has anybody flat towed a rig with full hydro steering?

:corn:

Thats a interesting question

64FJ40 · Jul 25, 2008

Why is it any different than linkage steering?

If your caster is good, it should tow fine. If you have poor caster, you will die. :awesomework:

Jeepasaurusrex · Jul 25, 2008

I think his question has to do with the steering being able to move freely. If you try to tow with the steering locked, you will end up with F'd up tires.

My dad tried to flat tow his Nissan pickup once with the wheel locked. It was slightly turned to the right. Made the whole truck/camper sway back and forth as it fought for traction. :redneck:

64FJ40 · Jul 25, 2008

Jeepasaurusrex said:
I think his question has to do with the steering being able to move freely.

Right.

So if the system isn't pressurized, can't the tire's input force on the ram turn the control valve (and, hence, the steering wheel)? Having the motor off doesn't effectively lock the system up does it?

Not Jobless · Jul 25, 2008

There's no return to center with full hydro...so even if you leave it "unlocked" in order to track behind the tow vehicle there is nothing to bring the wheel back to center.

64FJ40 · Jul 25, 2008

Jobless said:
There's no return to center with full hydro...so even if you leave it "unlocked" in order to track behind the tow vehicle there is nothing to bring the wheel back to center.

Where is the 'return to center' on a conventional steering setup? It's in the knuckle caster. The same place it would be in a hydro setup. Unless the hydro guys are running 0 caster to make turning easier, it seems like it should still work unless there is something I'm missing?

Not Jobless · Jul 25, 2008

64FJ40 said:
Where is the 'return to center' on a conventional steering setup? It's in the knuckle caster. The same place it would be in a hydro setup. Unless the hydro guys are running 0 caster to make turning easier, it seems like it should still work unless there is something I'm missing?

You can run all the caster you want in a full hydro setup...it will not return to center, at least not with the engine running.

Maybe it will while flat towing...

bigiron · Jul 25, 2008

try it and let use know....I don't think it will work....You will not have to go far or fast to know.....Should know in a couple turns in a parking lot. My hydro setup will turn the wheels with steering wheel with the rig dead....If you are a gorilla hanging on the sterring wheel....Flat tow I say no it won't work.

64FJ40 · Jul 25, 2008

Jobless said:
You can run all the caster you want in a full hydro setup...it will not return to center, at least not with the engine running.

Maybe it will while flat towing...

That's the part I didn't know - with the system dead, can the ram turn the orbital (sic) valve or does the system essentially lock up?

bigiron · Jul 25, 2008

64FJ40 said:
That's the part I didn't know - with the system dead, can the ram turn the orbital (sic) valve or does the system essentially lock up?

That depends on the orbital....Mine will turn with engine off...Not well...but it turns by steering wheel. I don't think the ram would force the orbital to turn I am curious now...

CHOP SHOP · Jul 25, 2008

if your at the point where you have full hydro steering, why dont you have a trailer?

wagonslayer · Jul 25, 2008

I have a 18 foot car trailer and a tow bar , but I'm just going to a buddy's propretry(10 miles away )with the Motor home and was thinking it might be pretty quick and easy with the tow bar.BTW the jeep turns with the rig off.

zukkev · Jul 27, 2008

I'm not sure the vehicle's caster will be enough force on the ram to override the orbital fast enough to allow safe flattowing.... one could put in a couple bypass valves in the psi & ret. lines and a bypass line between them to allow free movement of the ram while towing; shouldn't be too difficult.....just my .02