cancel
Showing results forย 
Search instead forย 
Did you mean:ย 

backing up 4 down jeep jk

dave17352
Explorer
Explorer
My manual for my 2017 jeep wrangler says backing even when the transfer case is in neutral and you are in dingy towing mode can cause damage. I have towed four down in the past and occasionally have backed up a little with some success in a tight spot. I was not towing a jeep at this time. So my question is lets say I am towing four down I pull into a gas station and for some reason I need to back up 10 feet. Will this cause damage to a 2017 Jeep wrangler while in dingy towing mode???

Thanks
Dave
NOW 2017 Leprechaun 260ds
2005 Forrest River Cardinal 29rkle FW
1998 Lance 980 11'3" TC
2017 CHEVY 3500 SRW 6.0
B@W turnover ball @ companion Hitch
Honda eu3000 generator mounted on cargo rack
Crestliner 1850 Fish Ski boat mostly fishing now!
12 REPLIES 12

SDcampowneroper
Explorer
Explorer
I hesitate to post because of furor previous posts I made on this issue. Now posters are advocating that backing short distances with caution can be done.
I have vindication.
When I owned and operated our camp, regularly MHs with toad pulled too far forward at our registration area to make the left turn to their campsite.
In my best site escort suggestions, " Sir, back up just a little I"ll watch the towed front wheels" never a problem.
most did knowing they could Occasionally a n inexperienced driver that has never seen it or spooked by mfgr disclaimers was hesitant, however with my demeanor and assurance, never did in 19 years did a driver refuse to 'give it a try' Never did a steering wheel cramp in a short straight reverse. Certainly that lesson is being reflected here.

If a vehicle can be towed, forward with all gearing disconnected, how can it be damaging to back it short distances?

mowermech
Explorer
Explorer
dave17352 wrote:
Thanks for the replies. I am only talking a few feet here and I am aware of the steering issue. Disconnecting is a snap with this tow bar. So I imagine I will disconnect now and then.


Good thinking, IMO!
CM1, USN (RET)
2017 Jayco TT
Daily Driver: '14 Subaru Outback
1998 Dodge QC LWB, Cummins, 5 speed, 4X2
2 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 ATVs.
Pride Raptor 3 wheeled off-road capable mobility scooter
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"

Grit_dog
Nomad III
Nomad III
dodge guy wrote:
I believe they are saying not to tow it backwards at speed! Not that you could anyway. 5-10 feet is not going to damage the drivetrain. That is however if you can keep the wheels straight while backing!


Thank you!!
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5โ€ turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

dave17352
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the replies. I am only talking a few feet here and I am aware of the steering issue. Disconnecting is a snap with this tow bar. So I imagine I will disconnect now and then.
NOW 2017 Leprechaun 260ds
2005 Forrest River Cardinal 29rkle FW
1998 Lance 980 11'3" TC
2017 CHEVY 3500 SRW 6.0
B@W turnover ball @ companion Hitch
Honda eu3000 generator mounted on cargo rack
Crestliner 1850 Fish Ski boat mostly fishing now!

dodge_guy
Explorer
Explorer
I believe they are saying not to tow it backwards at speed! Not that you could anyway. 5-10 feet is not going to damage the drivetrain. That is however if you can keep the wheels straight while backing!
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

magicbus
Explorer
Explorer
mowermech wrote:
I was "forced" to back up my Jeep Wrangler once (yeah, I know, I could have disconnected, got the Jeep out of the way, backed up the truck, then reconnected. I should have!)
It was fine for about 4 feet, then the steering SLAMMED over into a full left turn against the stops. Yes, I was backing straight, no turn.
I will never do that again, I do not care how many people brag that they have done it with no problems.
One experience was enough.

X2.

Dave
Current: 2018 Winnebago Era A
Previous: Selene 49 Trawler
Previous: Country Coach Allure 36

mowermech
Explorer
Explorer
I was "forced" to back up my Jeep Wrangler once (yeah, I know, I could have disconnected, got the Jeep out of the way, backed up the truck, then reconnected. I should have!)
It was fine for about 4 feet, then the steering SLAMMED over into a full left turn against the stops. Yes, I was backing straight, no turn.
I will never do that again, I do not care how many people brag that they have done it with no problems.
One experience was enough.
CM1, USN (RET)
2017 Jayco TT
Daily Driver: '14 Subaru Outback
1998 Dodge QC LWB, Cummins, 5 speed, 4X2
2 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 ATVs.
Pride Raptor 3 wheeled off-road capable mobility scooter
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Explorer
enblethen wrote:
I have backed up my toads, non-Jeep. Suzukis and Chev Tracker.
Big issue is not to allow it to get in a bind to the point of nearly jack knife.


yep, that is the issue, watch it closely.
bumpy

rdhetrick
Explorer
Explorer
As far as I understand, the issue with backing is the steering wheel going one way while you want the vehicle to go the other way. I've seen people get around this by using a heavy bungee strap through the steering wheel attached to the brake pedal (only when backing up, not when moving forward).

I've backed up a few feet also with no ill effects.

I find it hard to believe that backing up a few feet would hurt he transmission/transfer case and the note about towing backwards means just what it says - don't TOW it backwards.

Furthermore, it backing it up a few feet really caused damage, I would certainly expect to have heard about it somewhere. To the contrary, seems like a lot of people have said they back up a few feet when absolutely necessary without any damage.

Just my two cents...
Rob - Solo Full Timer
2017 Winnebago Travato 59G
Former 2006 Mandalay 40E

Old-Biscuit
Explorer
Explorer
โ€ข Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the transfer case.
โ€ข Automatic transmissions must be placed in PARK for recreational towing.
โ€ข Manual transmissions must be placed in gear (not in Neutral) for recreational towing.

Seems clear...NO
And I doubt MFG is talking about long distance reversing
Is it time for your medication or mine?


2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31

dave17352
Explorer
Explorer
I have too I am just wondering about this jeep, If I am reading this correctly.
NOW 2017 Leprechaun 260ds
2005 Forrest River Cardinal 29rkle FW
1998 Lance 980 11'3" TC
2017 CHEVY 3500 SRW 6.0
B@W turnover ball @ companion Hitch
Honda eu3000 generator mounted on cargo rack
Crestliner 1850 Fish Ski boat mostly fishing now!

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
I have backed up my toads, non-Jeep. Suzukis and Chev Tracker.
Big issue is not to allow it to get in a bind to the point of nearly jack knife.

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker