Say I have a mid 80's manual SUV with 4x4, what would be the steps to flat tow?

Is it as simple as neutral gear and unlocked steering?

Definitely read the manual. Some gearboxes rely on certain shaft and gears to sling the lubricant internally. Depending on the gearbox it may or may not be happening if the box is in neutral while the driveshaft still turns. You may have a shaft that is rotating and getting no lube, and you'll burn it up.

Sorry. Under the impression you were going to flatbed the thing.

You'll want the hitch flat or having a slight rise from the towed vehicle to the tow vehicle so the front of the towed vehicle doesn't rise under heavy braking.

If the tow vehicle isn't significantly heavier than the towed vehicle, you'll want some type of braking system in the towed vehicle that is activated by the tow vehicle brakes.

You'll need brake/signal and running lights on the towed vehicle that are activated by the tow vehicle.

Make sure the towed vehicle caster is in spec, otherwise the towed vehicle can turn the opposite way of the tow vehicle.

Make sure the towed vehicle doesn't have a bunch of weight behind the rear axle as it will walk like a rear-loaded trailer.

You can't back up more than a few feet while towing a vehicle as the front wheels will steer the opposite way of the rear of the tow vehicle.

Removed. I was wrong.

JamesPShelley said:

---

Sorry. Under the impression you were going to flatbed the thing.

---

He's not talking towing on a bed. He's talking towing behind an RV or something. That kind of flat tow.

Make, model, transmission, and 4WD options would help the board guide you more.

I used to always use the flat tow guides - https://www.roadmasterinc.com/media/dinghy-guides/ - but this is an older vehicle you are talking about.

Manual from manufacturer is the best first source but at times individuals have learned how to make it work or that the manual if overly protective and that it can be done.

Didn't expect such big difference between models. 86 Bronco 2