1997 Mark VIII LSC-can it be towed
- Thread starter phidelt
- Start date
RE: 1997 Mark VIII LSC-can it be towed
I wouldn't see why it would be a problem on a flat bed as long as it was secured properly. I don't think the suspension would cause a problem but I would turn the air ride switch off and make sure the battery is either secured or removed.
David O'Donnell
'97 Mark VIII LSC "Maxine II" (RIP Maxine I, 5-16-03)
'91 Mark VII BB "Monica"
'67 Thunderbird "Molly"
I wouldn't see why it would be a problem on a flat bed as long as it was secured properly. I don't think the suspension would cause a problem but I would turn the air ride switch off and make sure the battery is either secured or removed.
David O'Donnell
'97 Mark VIII LSC "Maxine II" (RIP Maxine I, 5-16-03)
'91 Mark VII BB "Monica"
'67 Thunderbird "Molly"
J
joeychgo
Guest
RE: 1997 Mark VIII LSC-can it be towed
If its on a flat bed - it should be fine as long as its secured. SHoulda be a need to kill the air ride in that case. I would hesitate towing it any other way.
If its on a flat bed - it should be fine as long as its secured. SHoulda be a need to kill the air ride in that case. I would hesitate towing it any other way.
sleeper
Former LOD President
RE: 1997 Mark VIII LSC-can it be towed
No you CANNOT flat tow it or tow it on a dolly. (flat tow means tow with all 4 wheels on the ground, people, not tow on a flat-bed). If you flat tow this car you will burn up a bushing or two in the trans. If the engine is not on, there is no fluid being pumped through the transmission to keep these bushings lubricated, and if the vehicle is being towed in such a way that the driveshaft is spinning, bad things will happen.
If you want to tow it backwards, i suppose that is okay, as long as the rear wheels are off the ground. Make sure the steering is locked, make sure the air-ride is off, and make sure the rear end is high enough off the ground that the caster on the front end is effectively reversed (ie: if theres 5 degrees of caster in the front end, make sure the car is tilted toward the front more than 5 degrees if it is being towed backwards).
Another option is to disconnect the driveshaft and secure it in place under the vehicle before towing it. That would require a 12mm gear wrench (a regular wrench will work, but trust me, you want a gear wrench) and some method of keeping the driveshaft from contacting the flange on the differential while the vehicle is moving. It is not feasible to remove the driveshaft because you have to drop the gas tank in order to get it out of the vehicle.
No you CANNOT flat tow it or tow it on a dolly. (flat tow means tow with all 4 wheels on the ground, people, not tow on a flat-bed). If you flat tow this car you will burn up a bushing or two in the trans. If the engine is not on, there is no fluid being pumped through the transmission to keep these bushings lubricated, and if the vehicle is being towed in such a way that the driveshaft is spinning, bad things will happen.
If you want to tow it backwards, i suppose that is okay, as long as the rear wheels are off the ground. Make sure the steering is locked, make sure the air-ride is off, and make sure the rear end is high enough off the ground that the caster on the front end is effectively reversed (ie: if theres 5 degrees of caster in the front end, make sure the car is tilted toward the front more than 5 degrees if it is being towed backwards).
Another option is to disconnect the driveshaft and secure it in place under the vehicle before towing it. That would require a 12mm gear wrench (a regular wrench will work, but trust me, you want a gear wrench) and some method of keeping the driveshaft from contacting the flange on the differential while the vehicle is moving. It is not feasible to remove the driveshaft because you have to drop the gas tank in order to get it out of the vehicle.
RE: 1997 Mark VIII LSC-can it be towed
actually come to think of it you can't tow it backwards, it just wouldn't quite work.
[/quote]
Why can't you back a Mark onto a two-wheeled dolly and lock the steering wheel and tow it however long/far you want?
Bud Pytko
'97 LSC Silver Frost
'92 F250 Banks TurboDiesel Bimini Blue
http://myfilelocker.comcast.net/charlespytko/Lincoln/BudPytko97LSC.JPG
actually come to think of it you can't tow it backwards, it just wouldn't quite work.
[/quote]
Why can't you back a Mark onto a two-wheeled dolly and lock the steering wheel and tow it however long/far you want?
Bud Pytko
'97 LSC Silver Frost
'92 F250 Banks TurboDiesel Bimini Blue
http://myfilelocker.comcast.net/charlespytko/Lincoln/BudPytko97LSC.JPG
J
joeychgo
Guest
RE: 1997 Mark VIII LSC-can it be towed
The ONLY safe way to tow a mark is on a flatbed or car carrier. NEVER let someone tow your vehicle any other way --
The ONLY safe way to tow a mark is on a flatbed or car carrier. NEVER let someone tow your vehicle any other way --
N
Neilster
Guest
RE: 1997 Mark VIII LSC-can it be towed
Just for fun, check your 2ndGen's for a steering wheel lock... It's not there!!! That means if you have it towed with it's butt in the air, you will have to "tie off" the steering wheel. Not exactly safe over long distances I might add. I'd put it on a trailer if I was going any distance. But hey, that's just me...
Just for fun, check your 2ndGen's for a steering wheel lock... It's not there!!! That means if you have it towed with it's butt in the air, you will have to "tie off" the steering wheel. Not exactly safe over long distances I might add. I'd put it on a trailer if I was going any distance. But hey, that's just me...
RE: 1997 Mark VIII LSC-can it be towed
Hi all. I know I am new here, but I did drive Wrecker for 12 years, nights and weekends. If you choose to tow anything from the rear, DO NOT RELY ON THE STEERING LOCK! It may hold most of the time but.....It will eventually fail. May just let the vehicle go off center slightly, most of the time. But I have seen them go far enough off that someone biffs a parked car or a telephone pole. Its not pretty. Its easy enought to tie off, most of the time it can be done with the seatbelt.
As far as flat towing and dolly towing from the rear, I dont think the dolly will handle correctly like someone else said. The flat towing will deffinately smoke the trany after a short time.
There are solutions though which allow you to flat tow. I met someone some years back in a D.C. RV park that flat towed an explorer. I asked him about it and he showed me a clutch kit that disconected the drive shaft between the rear end and the tranny. There was a electric servo that did this if i recall.
One last thought, towing something as heavy as a Mark will require a trolly braking system in most states. Most states require brakes on any towed vehicle over 3K pounds. Just my 10 cents.
Hi all. I know I am new here, but I did drive Wrecker for 12 years, nights and weekends. If you choose to tow anything from the rear, DO NOT RELY ON THE STEERING LOCK! It may hold most of the time but.....It will eventually fail. May just let the vehicle go off center slightly, most of the time. But I have seen them go far enough off that someone biffs a parked car or a telephone pole. Its not pretty. Its easy enought to tie off, most of the time it can be done with the seatbelt.
As far as flat towing and dolly towing from the rear, I dont think the dolly will handle correctly like someone else said. The flat towing will deffinately smoke the trany after a short time.
There are solutions though which allow you to flat tow. I met someone some years back in a D.C. RV park that flat towed an explorer. I asked him about it and he showed me a clutch kit that disconected the drive shaft between the rear end and the tranny. There was a electric servo that did this if i recall.
One last thought, towing something as heavy as a Mark will require a trolly braking system in most states. Most states require brakes on any towed vehicle over 3K pounds. Just my 10 cents.
mhanley4298
Registered
RE: 1997 Mark VIII LSC-can it be towed
Please sir,Do not tow or dolly this unit.If you do the aftermath will be
nothing short of disasterous.
Please sir,Do not tow or dolly this unit.If you do the aftermath will be
nothing short of disasterous.