Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Flat towing (Looking for flat towing advice)
| Flat towing [message #70572] |
Mon, 11 January 2010 22:00  |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Fellow netters,
I just bought a "Brake Buddy", from a Craig's List ad ($350.00), to complete my flat towing set-up. I will be towing my Jeep XJ Cherokee, wheels down to Quartzsite on Saturday. I haven't flat towed anything in over thirty years and would appreciate any tips or advice anyone can give me. I plan to put a piece of plywood between the Brake Buddy and the front of my seat to protect the seat. Any other tips?
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Flat towing [message #70603 is a reply to message #70572] |
Tue, 12 January 2010 06:10  |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Carl,
Years ago I took a tip from Arch on setting up the sensitivity and
pressure on the Brake Buddy. Use a patch of gravel or a gravel road
and adjust it until it just skids a bit when you stop hard on the
gravel. You will really notice the extra braking when you get it set
up right. One thing you want to avoid is dragging the tires on any
kind of stop on dry pavement. Those things are infinitely adjustable
and you'll get it figured out after you play with it for awhile.
Start with setting 6 on sensitivity. Work with pressure from there
on.
On Mon, Jan 11, 2010 at 9:00 PM, Carl Stouffer <carljr3b@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Fellow netters,
>
> I just bought a "Brake Buddy", from a Craig's List ad ($350.00), to complete my flat towing set-up. I will be towing my Jeep XJ Cherokee, wheels down to Quartzsite on Saturday. I haven't flat towed anything in over thirty years and would appreciate any tips or advice anyone can give me. I plan to put a piece of plywood between the Brake Buddy and the front of my seat to protect the seat. Any other tips?
> --
> Carl S.
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Flat towing [message #70605 is a reply to message #70604] |
Tue, 12 January 2010 06:21 |
Carleton Douglas[1]
Messages: 174
Registered: March 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Steve, use cat litter and it will pull it out of the cement.
On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 5:14 AM, Steven Ferguson <botiemad11@gmail.com> wrote:
> Sorry I was so distracted when you called yesterday. I was pumping 25
> Quarts of oil into the SOB and becase it was so cold, the oil wasn't
> draining into the pan as fast as I was pumping. Of course, since I
> couldn't be in two places at once, I didn't catch the overflow until
> about two gallons had drained onto my new concrete. You called at the
> perfect moment :>)
>
>
> On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 5:10 AM, Steven Ferguson <botiemad11@gmail.com> wrote:
> Work with pressure from there
> --
> Steve Ferguson
> '76 EII
> Sierra Vista, AZ
> Urethane bushing source
> www.bdub.net/ferguson/
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Carleton Douglas
73 custom, by myself
Prescott, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Flat towing [message #70607 is a reply to message #70605] |
Tue, 12 January 2010 06:37 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Thanks Carleton,
I hit it hard with a swab, then followed up with a good concrete
degreaser, then steaming hot water and diswasher detergent. Almost
zero trace left. I had a UHaul packing blanket I immediately threw
over the entire mess to stop the spread and to soak up the bulk of it
and it worked. Next time though..........
On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 5:21 AM, Carleton Douglas <aecsdouglas@gmail.com> wrote:
> Steve, use cat litter and it will pull it out of the cement.
>
> On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 5:14 AM, Steven Ferguson <botiemad11@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Sorry I was so distracted when you called yesterday. I was pumping 25
>> Quarts of oil into the SOB and becase it was so cold, the oil wasn't
>> draining into the pan as fast as I was pumping. Of course, since I
>> couldn't be in two places at once, I didn't catch the overflow until
>> about two gallons had drained onto my new concrete. You called at the
>> perfect moment :>)
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 5:10 AM, Steven Ferguson <botiemad11@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Work with pressure from there
>> --
>> Steve Ferguson
>> '76 EII
>> Sierra Vista, AZ
>> Urethane bushing source
>> www.bdub.net/ferguson/
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> List Information and Subscription Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Carleton Douglas
> 73 custom, by myself
> Prescott, AZ
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Flat towing [message #70613 is a reply to message #70607] |
Tue, 12 January 2010 07:43 |
GMCWiperMan
Messages: 1248
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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I feel for you: Early last summer, as I drove the ZTR mower off of its
parking pad, shared with the GMC's service rack floor, I didn't notice the 5
g. can of used motor oil being nudged, Naturally, the pour spout landed
just like buttered bread. It was about 2 hours later when I found the pond.
What a cleaning chore!
So what are we going to do "Next time though..."?
Ken H.
On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 7:37 AM, Steven Ferguson <botiemad11@gmail.com>wrote:
> Thanks Carleton,
> I hit it hard with a swab, then followed up with a good concrete
> degreaser, then steaming hot water and diswasher detergent. Almost
> zero trace left. I had a UHaul packing blanket I immediately threw
> over the entire mess to stop the spread and to soak up the bulk of it
> and it worked. Next time though..........
>
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Flat towing [message #70621 is a reply to message #70572] |
Tue, 12 January 2010 08:48 |
Douglas Norton
Messages: 191
Registered: April 2008
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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When I put in mine, I neded bungie cords to keep the brake buddy from being pulled forward and becoming out of line when it released. Be sure to empty your vacuum by pressing the breaks several times before you start. A vacuum will give you power breaks and your first several stops will lock up your breaks if you do not empty the vacuum.
--- On Mon, 1/11/10, Carl Stouffer <carljr3b@yahoo.com> wrote:
> From: Carl Stouffer <carljr3b@yahoo.com>
> Subject: [GMCnet] Flat towing
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Date: Monday, January 11, 2010, 8:00 PM
>
>
> Fellow netters,
>
> I just bought a "Brake Buddy", from a Craig's List ad
> ($350.00), to complete my flat towing set-up. I will
> be towing my Jeep XJ Cherokee, wheels down to Quartzsite on
> Saturday. I haven't flat towed anything in over thirty
> years and would appreciate any tips or advice anyone can
> give me. I plan to put a piece of plywood between the
> Brake Buddy and the front of my seat to protect the seat.
> Any other tips?
> --
> Carl S.
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
_______________________________________________
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List Information and Subscription Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] Flat towing [message #70646 is a reply to message #70623] |
Tue, 12 January 2010 13:46 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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OK guys, Thanks for the advice.
Dan, I did not get a "book" but I have the instruction sheets. I don't think there is much more
Steve, I have a dirt driveway in front of my house and will use it to set the sensitivity like you suggest.
Douglas, it says to pump the brakes in the instructions, I'll make sure I do it.
Thanks again
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Flat towing [message #70671 is a reply to message #70607] |
Tue, 12 January 2010 19:09 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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""I had a UHaul packing blanket I immediately threw
over the entire mess to stop the spread and to soak up the bulk of it
and it worked.""
OMG Steve! Customer abuse!!
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Flat towing [message #70713 is a reply to message #70671] |
Wed, 13 January 2010 08:28 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Bob,
At one point I must've had 30 of those packing blankets. I've given
quite a few away over the years so am down to less that 10 now. They
are excellent poor mans' creepers and have saved my old knees from a
lot of trauma over the years. I also toss one over the GMC engine
when I'm swapping anything out. I wonder what the dealer cost on
those things are.
You're right about the AZ sun. Nothing lasts very long on concrete,
tire tracks, oil, squished scorpions etc.
On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 6:09 PM, Bob de Kruyff <NEXT2POOL@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> ""I had a UHaul packing blanket I immediately threw
> over the entire mess to stop the spread and to soak up the bulk of it
> and it worked.""
>
> OMG Steve! Customer abuse!!
> --
> Bob de Kruyff
> 78 Eleganza
> Chandler, AZ
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Flat towing [message #70981 is a reply to message #70713] |
Wed, 13 January 2010 21:17 |
amansfield1104
Messages: 80
Registered: August 2009
Karma: 0
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Member |
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I have been using a Brake Buddy and mine has two adjustments. If I ready the info correctly the pressure setting determine the brake load and the the sensitivity controls at what rate of deceleration the brake comes on. I started at the recommended pressure setting for my tow vehicle and then increased it about 25% when my coach was having brake problems and did not ruin my tires but I sure could tell that the tow vehicle was helping and ran the sensitivity up to 90%. SInce then I have changed the pressure and run it as high as I think safe. I checked the tow vehicle wheels temperature every time I stopped. If they were hotter than I thought they should be I lowered the pressure. If you slide the tires you flat spot them but if you get then to hot you burn up the brakes.
Make sure the tow vehicle battery is in good shape. Leaving the key on will run the battery down and then the brake buddy will not work as I found out on my last trip. I now run the tow vehicle every time I stop to try and keep up the battery.
Art Mansfield
76 Eleganza
On Jan 13, 2010, at 9:28 AM, Steven Ferguson wrote:
> Bob,
> At one point I must've had 30 of those packing blankets. I've given
> quite a few away over the years so am down to less that 10 now. They
> are excellent poor mans' creepers and have saved my old knees from a
> lot of trauma over the years. I also toss one over the GMC engine
> when I'm swapping anything out. I wonder what the dealer cost on
> those things are.
> You're right about the AZ sun. Nothing lasts very long on concrete,
> tire tracks, oil, squished scorpions etc.
>
> On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 6:09 PM, Bob de Kruyff <NEXT2POOL@aol.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> ""I had a UHaul packing blanket I immediately threw
>> over the entire mess to stop the spread and to soak up the bulk of it
>> and it worked.""
>>
>> OMG Steve! Customer abuse!!
>> --
>> Bob de Kruyff
>> 78 Eleganza
>> Chandler, AZ
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> List Information and Subscription Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Steve Ferguson
> '76 EII
> Sierra Vista, AZ
> Urethane bushing source
> www.bdub.net/ferguson/
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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