Just bought a vintage motorcoach and the X type is the only likely vehicle in the stable that might work as a toad. It is a manual tranny so I'm assuming it can be towed with all 4 wheels on the raod. Has anybody turned their X type into a toad? If so what tow bar and what tow base plates did you use? I'm curious if base plates for a Ford Contour or the later Mondeo might work with less custom work than a universal set up would.

 

Trevor, as a general rule, AWD are not recommended to be used as a toad. You can potentially get driveline stresses built up in the car as you drive it down the road. It is best to get all 4 wheels off of the road if you are planning on using it that way.

 

For a manual box, the handbook says:
• The vehicle can be towed with all
four wheels on the ground,
provided there is no damage to the
transmission, for a maximum
distance of 50 kilometres (30 miles)
with the speed not exceeding
50 km/h (30 mph).

 

Actually stick subies make very fine toads. No interest in getting the wheels up off the ground as that just makes it a pita to travel with. My book doesn't say anything about limitations to flat towing it so I'm guessing that the recommendations changed after 04. Car is pretty much worthless as it stands now NADA trade in is about 1400 so I'm not so worried about hurting anything. There aren't any pumps in the transfer case or tranny that rely on it running to circulate fluids is there?

 

Trevor, I know what you are saying and while I can't come up with specifics, it still sits wrong with me. BUt, like you point out, the potential cost of things is relatively low so you might as well give it a try.

As for the fluids not getting to the necessary spots, I do not see a problem there. The rear diff and transfer case simply are submerged in the fluid and therefore will be lubricated as the vehicle is towed. The tranny should be fine as FWD cars are flat towed all the time in neutral with no issues. Just make sure the tranny is in neutral and the e-brake is off. Otherwise, you may find that initially things will be a little difficult to move, but after a few miles, it will be much easier with an expensive repair bill at the end.

 

Yeah, if it had a LSD or some of the electronic stability stuff I could see some possible issues but with it being a simple base I don't really see what can happen as everything should get lubed.

 

 

Found a post in another forum with comments. Said it mucked up the transfer case on his manual. Idk how, but he said it did. Some have towed it on 2 wheels using a dolly and removing the drive line with no problems.