TOWING TIPS
Flat-towing your 4x4 takes more than just a towbar. You will also need to ensure that you meet your state's requirements for flat-towing and have the appropriate lighting to be legal. We found the easiest way to meet the lighting needs is to pick up a set of magnetic tow lights that plug into the existing wiring at the rear of our tow rig. The lights provide tail and brake lights as well and left and right turn signals. They can also be turned around to provide amber hazard lights should they be needed. There is also the issue of disengaging your engine and drivetrain so they won't spin without lubrication. This can be achieved in many 4x4s by placing both the transfer-case shift lever and transmission shifter in Neutral. Some manual transmissions require the shift lever to be placed in gear to keep the mainshaft from spinning; however, if the shifter should accidentally fall into gear while towing, quite a bit of damage can occur.
It's a good idea to use a bungee cord to secure the shifter in place to avoid such occurrences. Vehicles with manual-locking hubs and full-floating rear axles with manual hubs can simply disengage the hubs so the wheels will spin freely. Many who flat-tow will also remove the driveshafts to completely disengage the drivetrain. You'll also need to leave the key in the ignition to unlock the steering wheel, or damage can occur. Some transfer cases, such as those used in full-time 4WD and AWD systems, cannot be flat-towed because they do not offer a true Neutral. Check with the vehicle manufacturer or consult your vehicle's owner's manual to find out if your vehicle is capable of being flat-towed before doing so.
Lastly, remember to limit downhill speed since your tow vehicle's brakes are more susceptible to heat fade because of the increased weight. Some states also require a towed vehicle or trailer that weighs more than 3,000 pounds to have a braking system. A variety of supplemental braking systems are available through RV supply stores.