Towing my Jeep, I turn right, it turns left!

[jeeplj]

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this. When I flat tow my LJ, and make a right turn, the Jeep steers all the way to left. When I turn left, it's all good. I suspect that this is a by-product of having a 6-inch LA lift. Today I towed it to the shop to have the front-end aligned, thinking that maybe a caster adjustment might work it out (plus it was a little squirley after I changed my steering components.) The Jeep drives perfectly now but the towing problem seems to have gotten worse. After the thrid right turn I parked the tow vehicle and drove the Jeep home.

I've used this same tow bar on my last two YJ's and never had an issue. Here are all my specs:

2004 LJ, automatic trans, 6" Rock Krawler LA, 1" body lift, 35"s, Currie steering, Roadmaster tow bar.
Yes, the steering wheel was unlocked.
Yes, the t-case was in neutral.
Yes, the transmission was in Park.

Towing with a 2002 Suburban, tow ball is about 1.5" lower than the mounting point on the "toad."

Next question: Anyone know of someone in So Cal that rents flat trailers?

[scrnnmssuck]

you tied the steering wheel down right?

[jeeplj]

No. I've never done that in any other vehicles I've towed. If the steering wheel can't turn, then the Jeep won't corner either, at least not without chewing up the tires.

[luk4mud]

I have not flat towed mine since I lifted it, but am wondering if getting the ball height a little above (or at least even with) the toad would improve things. The fellas at the RV dealer I use suggest that a level towbar is good, or the toad ought to be slightly lower than the ball. You might want to try a drawbar/ ball combo with an adjustable height feature. It doesn't make much sense that you have a problem turning one direction but not the other, though. I am no expert, but would be happy to take a look at it.

[jeeplj]

I was wondering the same thing about the level tow bar. However, I've always been under the impression that the reason for that is for dips and bumps. I live right by Mike Thompson RV. I was thinking of paying them a visit tomorrow.

What part of Southern California are you in?

[rouxbicon]

Locker, limited slip, or open front diff?

Seems like either of the first two could affect the way the front wheels track while being towed. I have no experience flat-towing , though, so I really can't say for sure.

[PeteC]

Originally Posted by scrnnmssuck

you tied the steering wheel down right?

Huh? What??? You obviously don't know what you are talking about. Sorry, not being mean, just surprised anyone would suggest something like this.

When flat towing, the steering wheel is unlocked so that the towed (not toad) vehicles front wheels can turn and follow the tow vehicle.

I have towed a YJ and a TJ behind my Class A RV for many, many miles. I have never had the problem you speak of. I have also flat towed my TJ behind my Commander after the aussie locker and latest lift install and have also not had this kind of problem. I don't think there is much help I can offer on this.

Although, have you checked your tire pressure? Lockers may be a problem, but I don't think so. Maybe something with the steering you installed.

[neZZr]

Originally Posted by PeteC

Huh? What??? You obviously don't know what you are talking about. Sorry, not being mean, just surprised anyone would suggest something like this.

When flat towing, the steering wheel is unlocked so that the towed (not toad) vehicles front wheels can turn and follow the tow vehicle.

I agree. According to the owners manual, the key should be in the 1st position up(ignition off / steering unlocked) so the steering wheel is free to turn as the Jeep is being towed.

[TexanTJ]

pay someone to sit in there and steer it for you

[[ITA]Tsunami]

Did you check your steering components? I throw it there... IF your front axle is shifting becouse of a loose component, will it act like you are describing?

[DeesTJ]

shootin in the dark here... is your front axle completely perpindicular to your vehicle? I'm not even sure if it would be possible, but "what if" your control arms are not set perfectly and the front axle is off a bit?...

does it track straight when you drive it? (hands off the wheel straight? or needs a little help but goes pretty straight?)

[jeeplj]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

The axle is straight. The Jeep tracks perfectly down the road when driving it. In fact, I just had the front-end realigned yesterday and the problem persists. Prior to the alignment, it drove straight as well. I also had the shop go through the entire suspension and make sure everything was straight and tight.

I have a Detroit TrueTrak up front which I suppose could be contributing to the problem. My next upgrade was going to be a Warn hub conversion. Maybe I'll do that sooner rather than later and take the locker (limited slip) out of the picture. My last two Jeeps had open front diffs (and they were YJ's so they had disconnects anyway) and I never had this problem.

[mrblaine]

Originally Posted by jeeplj

Thanks for all the replies guys.

The axle is straight. The Jeep tracks perfectly down the road when driving it. In fact, I just had the front-end realigned yesterday and the problem persists. Prior to the alignment, it drove straight as well. I also had the shop go through the entire suspension and make sure everything was straight and tight.

I have a Detroit TrueTrak up front which I suppose could be contributing to the problem. My next upgrade was going to be a Warn hub conversion. Maybe I'll do that sooner rather than later and take the locker (limited slip) out of the picture. My last two Jeeps had open front diffs (and they were YJ's so they had disconnects anyway) and I never had this problem.

Before you do to much else, why don't you hook it back up to the tow rig and sit in it while someone drives around and see if you can find out what's going on?

[luk4mud]

Originally Posted by jeeplj

I have a Detroit TrueTrak up front which I suppose could be contributing to the problem. My next upgrade was going to be a Warn hub conversion. Maybe I'll do that sooner rather than later and take the locker (limited slip) out of the picture. My last two Jeeps had open front diffs (and they were YJ's so they had disconnects anyway) and I never had this problem.

I have an Aussie in the front and it does not cause any sort of tracking problems. I am going to ARBs soon and the 4x shop tells me they wil be no issue towing as they will always be in the open position.

[vitapimp]

a friend of mine who tows disconnets his front drive shaft form the axel and bunjees it out of the way. never did ask him why. maybe you could try that.