| Possible Towd? [message #158785] |
Tue, 31 January 2012 18:52  |
SThornbg
Messages: 127
Registered: September 2011
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Can I flat tow a 2002 Ford Focus with auto trans? What mods are required? If a trans oil pump is required, where can I get one what are they for?
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
77 PB 455/3.07 "Tinker Toy"
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
77 exPB 455 "Tinker Toy"
|
|
|
|
| Re: Possible Towd? [message #158789 is a reply to message #158785] |
Tue, 31 January 2012 19:06  |
 |
mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
| SThornbg wrote on Tue, 31 January 2012 16:52 |
Can I flat tow a 2002 Ford Focus with auto trans? What mods are required? If a trans oil pump is required, where can I get one what are they for? ...
|
The automatic Ford Focus is not the easiest to use for flat towing, but I suspect it could be done. (Total cost might be more than a tow dolly.) See the following links:
<http://motorhome.tl.com/dinghytowingguide/>
<http://www.remcotowing.com/remco_lube_pump>
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
|
|
|
|
| Re: Possible Towd? [message #158800 is a reply to message #158789] |
Tue, 31 January 2012 20:36 |
SThornbg
Messages: 127
Registered: September 2011
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Thanks, Mike. I guess we'll give the Focus a pass. We have just started looking for a towd and came across a good deal on the Focus. Trying to stay below 3000 pounds.
Steve T.
South Bend, IN
77PB 455 / 3.07 "Tinker Toy"
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
77 exPB 455 "Tinker Toy"
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Possible Towd? [message #158807 is a reply to message #158803] |
Tue, 31 January 2012 21:15 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
|
Senior Member |
|
|
| Larry wrote on Tue, 31 January 2012 20:08 |
| SThornbg wrote on Tue, 31 January 2012 20:36 |
Thanks, Mike. I guess we'll give the Focus a pass. We have just started looking for a towd and came across a good deal on the Focus. Trying to stay below 3000 pounds.
Steve T.
South Bend, IN
77PB 455 / 3.07 "Tinker Toy"
|
Steve,
I talked to a person that use to work as an engineer for GM. Word is that all GM vehicles from 2011-2012 are now "flat towable". I'm sure that you can find something under 3000lbs in their lineup. Check with your local dealer. Just what I heard....
|
No--that's not totally true. Check each model individually.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
|
|
|
|
| Re: Possible Towd? [message #158830 is a reply to message #158803] |
Wed, 01 February 2012 05:02 |
|
mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
| Larry wrote on Tue, 31 January 2012 19:08 |
| SThornbg wrote on Tue, 31 January 2012 20:36 |
Thanks, Mike. I guess we'll give the Focus a pass. We have just started looking for a towd and came across a good deal on the Focus. Trying to stay below 3000 pounds.
|
I talked to a person that use to work as an engineer for GM. Word is that all GM vehicles from 2011-2012 are now "flat towable". I'm sure that you can find something under 3000lbs in their lineup. Check with your local dealer. Just what I heard....
|
Three Basic Rules:
1. Always check with the car manufacturer. Often the dealer (salesman) do not have the correct information. Normally if flat towable there will be instructions in the owners manual.
2. Automatics are NORMALLY not flat towable. Manuals are NORMALLY are flat towable. (Most older Hondas and 4 speed and above GM FWD automatics ARE flat towable... but check rule #1.)
3. Four wheel drive vehicles with manually shifted transfer cases normally can be flat towed regardless of the transmission type. Electrically switched transfer cases and ALL Wheel drive systems sometimes have problems.
Also:
-- Most any transmission/transfer case will do better if "lubed" every 200-300miles or daily. Check the instructions.
-- You can see why many who want an automatic end up with Tracker/Sidekicks or tow Saturns or Hondas.
-- Lately some Honda automatics have lost the ability to flat tow.
-- I understand one of the latest GM automatic transmissions was developed WITH Ford and IS flat-towable*... so some of the newest Fords will be joining the list of towable cars... they just do not seem to be the smaller cars. 
*I certainly hope it is, it turns out the wife's 2008 Malibu has one of these transmissions. But at over 3500lbs, it might not matter.
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
[Updated on: Wed, 01 February 2012 07:58] Report message to a moderator |
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Possible Towd? [message #158836 is a reply to message #158830] |
Wed, 01 February 2012 07:09 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Non-GMC, but of interest: Yesterday I noticed 3 new Rangers lined up at
the Ford dealer, who usually has none. Sort of in the the market for a new
SMALL pickup, I stopped to look, since they recently closed the Ranger
production line.
Imagine my surprise when I saw the window sticker on the 3rd one:
"US/Canadian content: 65%", "Transmission: France", "Engine: Germany".
As I walked away in disgust, I glanced at the sticker on the 1st one:
"Transmission: France", "Engine: Spain". I didn't go back to the 2nd to
see if it was made in Uganda or somewhere. :-(
As if the $$,$$$ wasn't enough, that information certainly would have cured
my urge. (Along with the fact that my previous stop was the gas station --
for the first time since 31 Dec 2011.)
Ken H.
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
|
|
|
|
| Re: Possible Towd? [message #158842 is a reply to message #158830] |
Wed, 01 February 2012 08:01 |
|
mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I just noticed that i missed something important... I updated the web-forum but for the e-mail'ers:
I added "FWD" to the statement: Most older Hondas and 4 speed and above GM FWD automatics ARE flat towable... but check rule #1.
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
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Possible Towd? [message #158850 is a reply to message #158807] |
Wed, 01 February 2012 09:16 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I agree with Bob. The Cruz has just been stricken from the list by GM
because of transmission problems caused by flat towing.
The Sonic 6 speed is a good alternative.
On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 8:15 PM, Bob de Kruyff <NEXT2POOL@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> Larry wrote on Tue, 31 January 2012 20:08
> > SThornbg wrote on Tue, 31 January 2012 20:36
> > > Thanks, Mike. I guess we'll give the Focus a pass. We have just
> started looking for a towd and came across a good deal on the Focus.
> Trying to stay below 3000 pounds.
> > >
> > > Steve T.
> > > South Bend, IN
> > > 77PB 455 / 3.07 "Tinker Toy"
> >
> > Steve,
> > I talked to a person that use to work as an engineer for GM. Word is
> that all GM vehicles from 2011-2012 are now "flat towable". I'm sure that
> you can find something under 3000lbs in their lineup. Check with your
> local dealer. Just what I heard....
>
> No--that's not totally true. Check each model individually.
> --
> Bob de Kruyff
> 78 Eleganza
> Chandler, AZ
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Fathom the hypocrisy of a nation where every citizen must prove they have
health insurance......but not everyone has to prove they're a citizen.
Steve Ferguson
Sierra Vista, AZ
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Possible Towd? [message #158856 is a reply to message #158836] |
Wed, 01 February 2012 10:32 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
| Quote: |
Ken Henderson wrote on Wed, 01 February 2012 Sort of in the the market for a new SMALL pickup, I stopped to look.
|
Come on Ken - you know you need a new truck, wink-wink-nod-nod.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
|
|
|
|
| Re: Possible Towd? [message #158871 is a reply to message #158785] |
Wed, 01 February 2012 12:29 |
skip2
Messages: 544
Registered: September 2011
Location: Winter Haven,FL (center o...
Karma: 3
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Everytime I look at a vehicle as a towd I go here
http://www.remcotowing.com and look at the application chart it's prety cut and dried.
Skip Hartline
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD LSD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Possible Towd? [message #158882 is a reply to message #158800] |
Wed, 01 February 2012 15:07 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
|
Senior Member |
|
|
| SThornbg wrote on Tue, 31 January 2012 20:36 |
Thanks, Mike. I guess we'll give the Focus a pass. We have just started looking for a towd and came across a good deal on the Focus. Trying to stay below 3000 pounds.
Steve T.
South Bend, IN
77PB 455 / 3.07 "Tinker Toy"
|
Steve,
Please turn on "Private Messaging". I tried to send you a note but you have PM turned off. I also telephoned what I think is your phone number in SBN. I hope I left a message at the right place.
Ken B.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
