Manual Transmission Flat Towing

[Deleted member 66323]

Good morning new member with a question.

I have seen concerns about when the battery depletes to 50%, the Broncos and Rangers get out of flat tow mode. I was wondering if you can flat tow a manual transmission Bronco by just putting the transmission in neutral instead of the transfer case being put in flat tow mode.

Thanks

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[zuke]

That wouldn't be recommended, even with the transmission in neutral, you're still spinning the output and main shafts, and may not get sufficient oiling to protect them.

Neutral tow puts the Transfer Case in Neutral, so the transmission is completely disconnected, and not spinning at all. It also stops the input shaft of the transfer case from spinning,

The problem with battery drain is that it allows the transfer case to drop back into gear, and starts the transmission spinning again.

There is also a lot of supposition that the battery drain problem only applies to the Advanced 4wd Transfer Case.

In any case, if it were me, I'd make sure I had a charge line to the Bronco's battery to ensure it stayed charged up, and I'd always use the Neutral Tow procedures from the Owner's Manual.

 

[Deleted member 66323]

That wouldn't be recommended, even with the transmission in neutral, you're still spinning the output and main shafts, and may not get sufficient oiling to protect them.

Neutral tow puts the Transfer Case in Neutral, so the transmission is completely disconnected, and not spinning at all. It also stops the input shaft of the transfer case from spinning,

The problem with battery drain is that it allows the transfer case to drop back into gear, and starts the transmission spinning again.

There is also a lot of supposition that the battery drain problem only applies to the Advanced 4wd Transfer Case.

In any case, if it were me, I'd make sure I had a charge line to the Bronco's battery to ensure it stayed charged up, and I'd always use the Neutral Tow procedures from the Owner's Manual.

Does the manual transmission have the Advanced 4wd transfer case?

 

[CalvinT]

Why not just connect a Battery Minder to your Bronco when towing it?

 

[CalvinT]

Does the manual transmission have the Advanced 4wd transfer case?

It may or may not. It depends on how the Bronco was ordered. I have a manual with advanced 4wd, but I'm driving a Badlands. But other trim levels have the standard 4wd.

 

[CalvinT]

FYI in case you don't have a paper manual. I don't trust the onboard manual.

 

[Dusty]

I've been flat towing mine with the manual transmission for years with no problems. Neutral Tow works perfectly every time.

 

[smrpilot]

I flat tow my Bronco a lot, and have never had a battery issue. I have the Demco Stay-n-play brake system. Torque-lift installed it, but I do believe it gets power from the tow vehicle to maintain charge.

 

[SuperDave150]

Good morning new member with a question.

I have seen concerns about when the battery depletes to 50%, the Broncos and Rangers get out of flat tow mode. I was wondering if you can flat tow a manual transmission Bronco by just putting the transmission in neutral instead of the transfer case being put in flat tow mode.

Thanks

What @zuke said.

1. Add a charge line.
2. Always use Neutral Tow Mode. Because lubrication.

 

[Runyon]

On on other 4x4s with manual's I have owned you put the transfer case in neutral and put the gearbox in 2nd gear to keep the drive shaft from turning. I assume you still need to put it in Neutral tow to get the transfer case into neutral.

 

[SuperDave150]

On on other 4x4s with manual's I have owned you put the transfer case in neutral and put the gearbox in 2nd gear to keep the drive shaft from turning. I assume you still need to put it in Neutral tow to get the transfer case into neutral.

@Runyon I see that you have the 2.7. Which means that you have the automatic transmission. Therefore you haven‘t personally verified that that your advice is good. In today litigious society, personally I try not to do that. Plus I get no joy from other people’s misery.

 

[Runyon]

Wow i told you it was on other 4x4s not the bronco... sometimes experience and common sense are key. Don't be an ass.

 

[CalvinT]

Does the manual transmission have the Advanced 4wd transfer case?

You can tell if a Bronco has the Advanced 4wd or Standard 4wd by looking at the GOAT mode dial on the center console. The Advanced will say 4A, the Standard that position will be blank.

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