Tow Bar with an ARB front Bumper?
#1
Tow Bar with an ARB front Bumper?
Hello All,
I'm sure this has been discussed but does anyone use a tow bar on their 1st gen with an ARB bumper? I need to tow my runner for a couple 1,000 miles and I'm looking for ideas on the best way to approach this without buying/renting a trailer.
Thanks!
I'm sure this has been discussed but does anyone use a tow bar on their 1st gen with an ARB bumper? I need to tow my runner for a couple 1,000 miles and I'm looking for ideas on the best way to approach this without buying/renting a trailer.
Thanks!
#3
I bought a used Roadmaster Falcon All-Terrain tow-bar off Craigslist last week and ordered a D-ring adapter kit that's pending delivery. I'm confident this should work and will post some pictures once the final parts arrive.
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Damion812 (10-12-2020)
#4
Well, in short it "works" but I don't trust the ARB bumper. On a test run the 4runner was all wobbling causing my Tacoma to wobble. After inspection I noticed the D'ring was slightly bent. (see below comparison of passenger D’ring)
Before
After
I decided to get an alignment and installing a new steering stabilizer (the old one was shot) which reduced the wobbling to a minimum. Here is a pic of the tow bar and D’ring adapter kit.
Before
After
I decided to get an alignment and installing a new steering stabilizer (the old one was shot) which reduced the wobbling to a minimum. Here is a pic of the tow bar and D’ring adapter kit.
#5
And were off to move from Phoenix to ??? (for now cali)
As you can see the angle is aggressive.
I think the angle and becuase this was a used unit contributed to the break-down in Cathedral city. (driver side collapsed and wouldn't lock in the extended position)
I ended up renting a U-haul tow dolly to make my way to the central coast.
This is what I noticed when I arrived. Both sides have stress cracks.
Made it to the coast. But now I'm on the hunt for a dovetail trailer.
As you can see the angle is aggressive.
I think the angle and becuase this was a used unit contributed to the break-down in Cathedral city. (driver side collapsed and wouldn't lock in the extended position)
I ended up renting a U-haul tow dolly to make my way to the central coast.
This is what I noticed when I arrived. Both sides have stress cracks.
Made it to the coast. But now I'm on the hunt for a dovetail trailer.
#6
I'm not too familiar with tow bars but have flat towed a couple 60s beetles and since there is no column lock in them, the steering turned when going through courners. Was the column locked on the 4runner? Is supposed to be? I don't even know. I also read something about taking the drive shaft out, unrelated to the cracks in the bumper though.
#7
I'm not too familiar with tow bars but have flat towed a couple 60s beetles and since there is no column lock in them, the steering turned when going through courners. Was the column locked on the 4runner? Is supposed to be? I don't even know. I also read something about taking the drive shaft out, unrelated to the cracks in the bumper though.
The rear driveshaft was removed for the trip. The original plan was to install rear full-float with locking hubs if this initial trip was successful so that I can keep the rear driveshaft in while flat towing.
During my 5-7 mile test trip, the 4runner was shaking my Tacoma quite a bit but after the steering stabilizer and alignment were completed it tracked behind the Tacoma with minimal movement. If I had more confidence in flat towing with the ARB I would install shims under the front leaf-springs to adjust the caster. I've read that positive caster is required for the vehicle to be safely towed. Currently the 4runner is within in stock specs but I don't recall the current caster degree.
I think there are a couple reasons for the stress cracks: the tow bar is able to expand and contract causing it to expand during breaking and contract during acceleration and the D'rings are 3/8" thick with the adapters being 3/4". I added washers to reduce the play in the adapter but I don't think it was sufficient. If flat towing was the only option, I would look into a different bumper with 3/4 D'rings or install the vehicle specific adapters.
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huntsonora
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
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06-19-2014 08:07 AM