| Question re Towing a Tracker [message #241998] |
Sun, 02 March 2014 11:03  |
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SteveW
Messages: 538
Registered: June 2005
Location: Southern California - Ora...
Karma: 1
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I'm thinking about purchasing a Tracker to tow behind my 23 footer. 455 3.70 Limited Slip Manny Tranny
An extra vehicle at the destination and a little bit of 4x4 exploring in fire roads and the like...
I found a nice one that has been lifted and has some good looking wheels and oversized tires. 4x4 Automatic.
So... Question to the experts is : Does the lifting and oversized tire configuration affect the Tracker's ability to be towed 4 wheels down ??
Thanks !!
Steve W
1973 23
Southern California
Steve W
1973 : 23'
Southern California
[Updated on: Sun, 02 March 2014 11:24] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Question re Towing a Tracker [message #242007 is a reply to message #241998] |
Sun, 02 March 2014 12:28  |
George B.
Messages: 213
Registered: February 2012
Karma: 1
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You certainly have a good engine/drive combo in your coach to tow with. A transmission cooler is highly recommended if you tow.
I have had 3 Trackers and they generally tow well. The main thing to consider is the height difference between the hitch, on the rear of the coach, and the tow bar attachment point, on the front of the tracker. You want the tow bar to be as level as possible.
When there is a big difference in height, the tow vehicle, like a big pickup, is higher than the towed vehicle or trailer. In those cases they use a drop ball-mount. In the case of a low-to-start-with GMC, you would want to use a drop ball mount upside down with the right size ball mount turned over to equalize the height difference and level the tow bar. This assumes you have a receiver-type hitch on the coach that allows you to change the ball mount to one of the different size drops available.
If your coach does not have a receiver type hitch, you should consider a rough-terrain type of tow bar.
Aside from the tow bar height difference consideration, I do not think the lift or big tires are significant issues.
George Butts
Las Vegas Nevada
73 "Custom 26' Q" & 76 23' Birchaven
71 Honda 600 Coupe & 01 Tracker Toads
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| Re: Question re Towing a Tracker [message #242015 is a reply to message #241998] |
Sun, 02 March 2014 13:19 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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| SteveW wrote on Sun, 02 March 2014 10:03 |
I'm thinking about purchasing a Tracker to tow behind my 23 footer. 455 3.70 Limited Slip Manny Tranny
An extra vehicle at the destination and a little bit of 4x4 exploring in fire roads and the like...
I found a nice one that has been lifted and has some good looking wheels and oversized tires. 4x4 Automatic.
So... Question to the experts is : Does the lifting and oversized tire configuration affect the Tracker's ability to be towed 4 wheels down ??
Thanks !!
Steve W
1973 23
Southern California
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Steve,
I can't imagine the lift and larger tires would make any difference to the tow-ability of the Tracker. I tow a 2003 four-door at stock height, with 225/75 tires on it. I think the tires are two sizes larger than stock. I have plans to install an Old Man Emu suspension (maybe 2.5 inches of lift) on it in the near future and don't anticipate any problems with towing. As George says, the main factor is getting the tow bar close to level and this can be accomplished with a different offset on the hitch bar.
We love having the Tracker with us for just the purposes you mentioned. Camping in a forest service campground and exploring the mountains (or whatever) is a lot of fun. Of course if you're like Marc Hogenboom, you just drive the GMC on those roads and don't worry about a towd.  We also use our Tracker for urban exploration when we are in an RV park in a city. It also serves as a lifeboat in case anything goes wrong with the GMC. Being a four-wheeler all my life, I really enjoy having four wheel drive and low range for the dirt.
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: Question re Towing a Tracker [message #242078 is a reply to message #242015] |
Sun, 02 March 2014 19:30 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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| Carl S. wrote on Sun, 02 March 2014 12:19 |
| SteveW wrote on Sun, 02 March 2014 10:03 |
I'm thinking about purchasing a Tracker to tow behind my 23 footer. 455 3.70 Limited Slip Manny Tranny
An extra vehicle at the destination and a little bit of 4x4 exploring in fire roads and the like...
I found a nice one that has been lifted and has some good looking wheels and oversized tires. 4x4 Automatic.
So... Question to the experts is : Does the lifting and oversized tire configuration affect the Tracker's ability to be towed 4 wheels down ??
Thanks !!
Steve W
1973 23
Southern California
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Steve,
I can't imagine the lift and larger tires would make any difference to the tow-ability of the Tracker. I tow a 2003 four-door at stock height, with 225/75 tires on it. I think the tires are two sizes larger than stock. I have plans to install an Old Man Emu suspension (maybe 2.5 inches of lift) on it in the near future and don't anticipate any problems with towing. As George says, the main factor is getting the tow bar close to level and this can be accomplished with a different offset on the hitch bar.
We love having the Tracker with us for just the purposes you mentioned. Camping in a forest service campground and exploring the mountains (or whatever) is a lot of fun. Of course if you're like Marc Hogenboom, you just drive the GMC on those roads and don't worry about a towd. We also use our Tracker for urban exploration when we are in an RV park in a city. It also serves as a lifeboat in case anything goes wrong with the GMC. Being a four-wheeler all my life, I really enjoy having four wheel drive and low range for the dirt.
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You need to have the tow bar level !!
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Question re Towing a Tracker [message #242092 is a reply to message #242078] |
Sun, 02 March 2014 20:29 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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| Bob de Kruyff wrote on Sun, 02 March 2014 18:30 |
| Carl S. wrote on Sun, 02 March 2014 12:19 |
| SteveW wrote on Sun, 02 March 2014 10:03 |
I'm thinking about purchasing a Tracker to tow behind my 23 footer. 455 3.70 Limited Slip Manny Tranny
An extra vehicle at the destination and a little bit of 4x4 exploring in fire roads and the like...
I found a nice one that has been lifted and has some good looking wheels and oversized tires. 4x4 Automatic.
So... Question to the experts is : Does the lifting and oversized tire configuration affect the Tracker's ability to be towed 4 wheels down ??
Thanks !!
Steve W
1973 23
Southern California
|
Steve,
I can't imagine the lift and larger tires would make any difference to the tow-ability of the Tracker. I tow a 2003 four-door at stock height, with 225/75 tires on it. I think the tires are two sizes larger than stock. I have plans to install an Old Man Emu suspension (maybe 2.5 inches of lift) on it in the near future and don't anticipate any problems with towing. As George says, the main factor is getting the tow bar close to level and this can be accomplished with a different offset on the hitch bar.
We love having the Tracker with us for just the purposes you mentioned. Camping in a forest service campground and exploring the mountains (or whatever) is a lot of fun. Of course if you're like Marc Hogenboom, you just drive the GMC on those roads and don't worry about a towd. We also use our Tracker for urban exploration when we are in an RV park in a city. It also serves as a lifeboat in case anything goes wrong with the GMC. Being a four-wheeler all my life, I really enjoy having four wheel drive and low range for the dirt.
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You need to have the tow bar level !!
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Isn't that what George and I just said???
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: Question re Towing a Tracker [message #242246 is a reply to message #242092] |
Mon, 03 March 2014 23:39 |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Yep, and that is highly unusual on this forum!
Three people; same opinion. Unanimous!!
Everyone must have actually read the question before answering.
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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