Can You Tow in 4X4?
#1
Dad's Toy
Thread Starter
Can You Tow in 4X4?
Last Sept (2014), my dad gave me his 2007 F-150 Supercab 4X4. There, in Arizona, I asked him what the lever was for on the driver's side floor net to the seat. He said he didn't remember (He's 86 with mid dementia). He said he remembered it was not a Ford item, that he had to go to a truck specialty shop for it. I drove the truck home to Wisconsin. I showed the truck/lever to many "experts." They said it looked like a type of brake for the rear axle.
Today, I again talked to my dad on the phone. He "remembered" what that lever was for. He said it was so that he could tow in 4 wheel drive. He told me that you're not supposed to tow in 4 wheel drive. I asked if you weren't supposed to tow with a 4 wheel drive, or that you couldn't tow in 4 wheel drive? He said, "Check the manual." So I checked the manual. It didn't say anything.
But then I thought, What about towing the truck? I remembered, he use to be a "Snow Bird" between Yuma, AZ and Sho Lo, AZ and he towed the truck. I remember that there was many instructions for towing the truck. Might that be what it's for?
Today, I again talked to my dad on the phone. He "remembered" what that lever was for. He said it was so that he could tow in 4 wheel drive. He told me that you're not supposed to tow in 4 wheel drive. I asked if you weren't supposed to tow with a 4 wheel drive, or that you couldn't tow in 4 wheel drive? He said, "Check the manual." So I checked the manual. It didn't say anything.
But then I thought, What about towing the truck? I remembered, he use to be a "Snow Bird" between Yuma, AZ and Sho Lo, AZ and he towed the truck. I remember that there was many instructions for towing the truck. Might that be what it's for?
#2
Official Bass Slapper
could very well be a lever for flat towing. Can you find what it attaches to underneath?
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Dads-Toy (02-12-2015)
#3
Grumpy Old Man
For using the truck as a toad behind a motorhome or other RV, I suspect that aftermarket lever you're taking about is a lever used to disconnect the driveshaft. Some toads cannot be towed 4-down unless the driveshaft is disconnected. I don't know about your older F-150, but I suspect that's the case.
For my 2012 F-150, the Owner's Guide includes a procedure you must go through in order to tow a 4x4 4-down. It's a lot more complicated than simply putting the transfer case in neutral.
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Dads-Toy (02-12-2015)
#4
Dad's Toy
Thread Starter
Thank you very much. That's EXACTLY what it's for. Hours after I posted my question, my dad called and said it was a "Remco Driveline Disconnect." After a lot of research, I found out it's a Remco Drive Shaft Coupler: http://www.remcodsc.com My dad called this morning verifying what it was, what he used it for, where he bought it and who to talk to where he bought it. Now my concern is, with all this severe winter weather in Wisconsin, is the snow, ice, salt, etc. going to create major issues with all that open linkage underneath?
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Dads-Toy (02-14-2015)