| Advice on Towing a 1998 Chevy Sport 4 wheels Down [message #155163] |
Mon, 02 January 2012 21:32  |
bess
Messages: 46
Registered: September 2011
Location: Illinois
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Hi, I have never towed a car before and am thinking about buying a 1998 Chevy Tracker Sport with an Automatic Transmission for a Tow Vehicle. It reads on the description that it is a 4 wheel drive-rear. After already making the mistake of buying a Tow Dolly - not thinking about that we are Too Old to even move the Tow Dolly around - I don't want to make another costly mistake and buy an older car that needs a lot of modifications in order to tow it. It looks like a Geo Tracker, about the same Size, and is a 4 Cylinder. I do not know yet if it comes with the Manual to check what it says about towing. Can anyone tell me if they tow a 1998 Chevy Tracker Sport Automatic with all 4 wheels down  ?
Bess Brenenstall
Elvaston, Illinois
1976 Birchaven
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| Re: Advice on Towing a 1998 Chevy Sport 4 wheels Down [message #155168 is a reply to message #155163] |
Mon, 02 January 2012 21:53  |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Bess,
A four wheel drive Tracker CAN be towed with all four wheels on the ground. You have to put the transfer case in neutral. This acts as a disconnect between the drive shafts and the transmission. You will need to have a tow bar base plate (mount) installed and you will need the tow bar to fit it. Most states require a braking system as well. Something simple like a "Brake Buddy" works well or there are easier systems to use. Jim K can help with all of this. Lights have to be addressed as well. There are several options, including diodes, adding an additional socket to the tail lights, or magnetic lights.
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: Advice on Towing a 1998 Chevy Sport 4 wheels Down [message #155169 is a reply to message #155168] |
Mon, 02 January 2012 22:04 |
bess
Messages: 46
Registered: September 2011
Location: Illinois
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Thank You Carl S. I was so hoping it could be towed easily without hurting it but I couldn't find much information whether it could or couln't be towed without any modifications. After the Tow Dolly Mistake - I want to make sure I do this right.
Bess Brenenstall
Elvaston, Illinois
1976 Birchaven
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| Re: Advice on Towing a 1998 Chevy Sport 4 wheels Down [message #155172 is a reply to message #155163] |
Mon, 02 January 2012 22:41 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| bess wrote on Mon, 02 January 2012 19:32 |
... thinking about buying a 1998 Chevy Tracker Sport with an Automatic Transmission for a Tow Vehicle. It reads on the description that it is a 4 wheel drive-rear. After already making the mistake of buying a Tow Dolly - not thinking about that we are Too Old to even move the Tow Dolly around - I don't want to make another costly mistake and buy an older car that needs a lot of modifications in order to tow it. ...
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GM did a lot of swapping of what they called the same vehicle depending on the year and where the vehicle was sold. Still, I am not sure where the "Sport" comes from.
I KNOW Suzuki used the "Sport" model for some of the Sidekicks and it was for a quite different vehicle with a very similar body. ie: It looks the same to most people, BUT it has a totally different frame and suspension so it needs a different base plate to be set up to tow. It also was always a 4 door and had a different (larger) motor.
I am fairly sure GM did NOT ever build/sell an equivalent model to the Sidekick Sport and have never heard of them officially using the "Sport" tag. But I am certainly not an expert on GM naming conventions.
So, if you buy this rig, be sure you know what you have.
This should be the last year of the "first generation" Tracker/Sidekick. Many like to tow them especially if it is a two door as it is lighter. (We have found we like the additional space of a four-door, even with the added weight.) Also the older the Tracker/Sidekick, the lighter it is. Our 1996 Sidekick Sport, (4 door) is about as heavy as I would want to pull.
Anyway a 1998 Chevy Tracker 4 wheel drive should make a good towd as long as the transfer case is NOT electronic. (I am fairly sure this is the case.)
A side note on the cost of towing. It doesn't really matter what way you go, trailer/dolly or 4 down, the cost to set up is going to be about the same.
Dollies are normally a LITTLE cheaper than a full trailer but not all towd vehicles can use them. Just about anything can be put on a trailer... but trailers are large and heavy.
4 down, has the smallest/lightest equipment but quite a bit of it is specific to the model/year of your towd. It is also has the most modifications to the towd. (Some more than others.)
Did I clear things a little or just stir up the mud?
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: Advice on Towing a 1998 Chevy Sport 4 wheels Down [message #155175 is a reply to message #155172] |
Mon, 02 January 2012 23:08 |
bess
Messages: 46
Registered: September 2011
Location: Illinois
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Hi Mike, Thanks for the Help. I will make sure exactly what it is - but the Car Details read that it is a 1998 Chevy Tracker - 4 Wheel Drive-rear - Two Door - Body Style Sports Utility - Automatic - and it has a Cloth Top. I found another one that is a Manual Transmission that I was interested in, but it is a lot farther away. I really Appreciate the Help.
Bess Brenenstall
Elvaston, Illinois
1976 Birchaven
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| Re: Advice on Towing a 1998 Chevy Sport 4 wheels Down [message #155177 is a reply to message #155175] |
Tue, 03 January 2012 00:36 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| bess wrote on Mon, 02 January 2012 21:08 |
... the Car Details read that it is a 1998 Chevy Tracker - 4 Wheel Drive-rear - Two Door - Body Style Sports Utility - Automatic - and it has a Cloth Top. ...
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1. If it has a Cloth Top, it is a two door.
2. "Sports Utility" as in Sports Utility Vehicle or SUV. NOT the same thing as my Sidekick Sport, even though both are classified as SUV's.
3. Automatic Tracker/Sidekicks HAVE to be a 4x4 to be towed 4 down. The transfer case is used as a drive line disconnect.
4. You might be able to find and download the owner's manual and read about towing them. (As much as GM thinks anyway...)
5. You'll need a matching base plate (bracket), tow bar, safety cables and wiring. It is also a good idea to have some type of towed brake system. Good "new" equipment, to set up a towd for 4 down, will cost about the same as a tow dolly.
6. Quite often you can find suitable towds for sale already set up. These CAN be the best buys....
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: Advice on Towing a 1998 Chevy Sport 4 wheels Down [message #155187 is a reply to message #155163] |
Tue, 03 January 2012 06:56 |
skip2
Messages: 544
Registered: September 2011
Location: Winter Haven,FL (center o...
Karma: 3
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Don't know if anybody has mentioned it or not but the best place I found for what vehicles need what to properly tow is on www.remcotowing.com .Of course they try to sell their products but they've got to make a living too.
Skip Hartline
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD LSD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
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| Re: [GMCnet] Advice on Towing a 1998 Chevy Sport 4 wheels Down [message #155202 is a reply to message #155189] |
Tue, 03 January 2012 09:17 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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| Robert Mueller wrote on Tue, 03 January 2012 06:07 |
Bess,
I read something below that is a bit confusing:
"4 Wheel Drive-rear"
I don't understand why the seller added "rear."
I have read all the other messages in this thread and I would highly recommend to prevent a reoccurrence of the dolly situation I
would make 100% sure that it is a 4 wheel drive with a transfer case!
Regards,
Rob M.
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Rob,
I would guess the seller added the 'rear' in there to specify that the vehicle is four wheel drive (part time) or rear wheel drive (full time) rather than a FWD car with an 'all wheel drive' option like many 'crossover' cars have. The Tracker/ Sidekick/Vitara is a true four wheel drive with a transfer case that engages the front axle when manually shifted to 4wd and a low range.
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] Advice on Towing a 1998 Chevy Sport 4 wheels Down [message #155309 is a reply to message #155257] |
Tue, 03 January 2012 20:34 |
bess
Messages: 46
Registered: September 2011
Location: Illinois
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You are so right Carl - I sure don't want to guess after the Tow Dolly mistake. I went to check out the car today and the Owners Manual was in the Glove Box. I took it out for a Drive of about 50 miles and it would have been just what I wanted BUT - the Owners Manual said that if it had Automatic Locking Hubs - DO NOT TOW IT 4 WHEELS DOWN - BUT IF IT HAD MANUAL HUBS - it was very simple to tow it 4 wheels down and said to put the Transfer case in Neutral - and to unlock the hubs. I saw where to put the transfer case in Neutral and I asked the Man when I got back from the drive if it was Manual Hubs - and NO SUCH LUCK. They are Automatic Locking Hubs. I told the guy I couldn't use it with automatic locking hubs and he said it would be very simple for a mechanic to change them to manual. I told him I would have to check with a mechanic first. I would have definitely made an offer on it if it had been manual hubs. I just don't want to make any more BIG Mistakes. Do you think it is a big or expensive project to change it to manual hubs?
Bess Brenenstall
Elvaston, Illinois
1976 Birchaven
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| Re: [GMCnet] Advice on Towing a 1998 Chevy Sport 4 wheels Down [message #155312 is a reply to message #155309] |
Tue, 03 January 2012 20:52 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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""I would have definitely made an offer on it if it had been manual hubs. I just don't want to make any more BIG Mistakes. Do you think it is a big or expensive project to change it to manual hubs? ""
Actually it is very easy to change these Trackers to manual hubs, but I'm not sure how far you want to go with this. there are plenty of these things around. I suspect you can buy the kits relatively easily and it can be a do it yourself job if you are up for it.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Advice on Towing a 1998 Chevy Sport 4 wheels Down [message #155334 is a reply to message #155309] |
Wed, 04 January 2012 06:46 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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I'd offer >with manual hubs< and go from there.
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach
________________________________
From: Bes Brenenstall <bes@adams.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Tuesday, January 3, 2012 9:34 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Advice on Towing a 1998 Chevy Sport 4 wheels Down
You are so right Carl - I sure don't want to guess after the Tow Dolly mistake. I went to check out the car today and the Owners Manual was in the Glove Box. I took it out for a Drive of about 50 miles and it would have been just what I wanted BUT - the Owners Manual said that if it had Automatic Locking Hubs - DO NOT TOW IT 4 WHEELS DOWN - BUT IF IT HAD MANUAL HUBS - it was very simple to tow it 4 wheels down and said to put the Transfer case in Neutral - and to unlock the hubs. I saw where to put the transfer case in Neutral and I asked the Man when I got back from the drive if it was Manual Hubs - and NO SUCH LUCK. They are Automatic Locking Hubs. I told the guy I couldn't use it with automatic locking hubs and he said it would be very simple for a mechanic to change them to manual. I told him I would have to check with a mechanic first. I would have definitely made an offer on it if it had been manual hubs. I just don't want to make any
more BIG Mistakes. Do you thi
nk it is a big or expensive project to change it to manual hubs?
--
Bess Brenenstall
Elvaston, Illinois
1976 Birchaven
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Advice on Towing a 1998 Chevy Sport 4 wheels Down [message #155336 is a reply to message #155309] |
Wed, 04 January 2012 07:41 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| bess wrote on Tue, 03 January 2012 18:34 |
... I told the guy I couldn't use it with automatic locking hubs and he said it would be very simple for a mechanic to change them to manual. ...
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The "guy" is correct. It doesn't take much to swap the hubs. I did a quick search and found you can get high quality after-market hubs (more quality than you need) for about $160.
You could most likely find used hubs from much cheaper.
Here is a discussion about hubs:
<http://www.zukikrawlers.com/showthread.php?t=16619>
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: Advice on Towing a 1998 Chevy Sport 4 wheels Down [message #155340 is a reply to message #155163] |
Wed, 04 January 2012 08:37 |
Larry
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
Karma: 10
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JFWIW,
IMO, the Automatic is more desirable than the manual 5 speed trans. We all know that the GMC can get stuck on a flat wet grassy surface. If you have the automatic trans Tracker, you can hook up the Tracker to the coach tow bar, lock the hubs, put it in 4WD Low range, the trans in drive and let the wife push you (gently) out of trouble. If it is a manual trans, handling the clutch and shifting can be harder whereas he automatic does it for you.
Second, one less step setting up for towing. With the manual trans, the trans has to be in 2nd gear (so says the owners manual), AND the transfer case in neutral. With the automatic, leave the trans in park and put trans in neutral.
Just my thoughts on the issue.....
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Advice on Towing a 1998 Chevy Sport 4 wheels Down [message #155466 is a reply to message #155336] |
Wed, 04 January 2012 22:09 |
bess
Messages: 46
Registered: September 2011
Location: Illinois
Karma: 0
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Hi Mike, Thanks for the information and Thanks for the link to read about installing them. It does sound like a simple operation. Now I will have to find out what a mechanic will charge to change them for me. I really Appreciate the Help
Bess Brenenstall
Elvaston, Illinois
1976 Birchaven
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