...don't forget your 20% coupon

..(which, by the way, works at HOME DEPOT on everything in the cart; not just one item!)

DJ makes it sound white knuckle!

It definitely was that time!  I haven't towed it anywhere major since that trip, and since that trip I have had the whole alignment done perfectly and bigger tires.  I'm sure it would be better now.  I've towed it around town a lot to drop off/pick up my truck from the shop and it does good now. 
And those big a$s diesel pushers don't have any problem because they're so HEAVY, there's no way a little tracker is gonna make the tow rig wander around at all!

And there's no way to back it up, yeah, the only problem with it.  I left my steering wheel unlocked (key in the ignition) so it would track with my tow rig.  Tows great when it's not getting scary. 

AFA driveshaft removal or what gear to leave the trackick in; dunno, I'm a  sammi guy...

I know mine is supposed to be left in 2nd gear, transfer case in neutral.  Something about proper lubrication of some bearings.  bentparts has an auto trans, so I don't know his scenario

I don't know what you are planing on towing with or how far you are going but us motor home guys use a brake system which is incorporated into the hitch. There are some expensive electric systems but this system is cheaper and just uses the weight of the toad [towed vehical] to actuate the brakes. Check it out Readybrake.com . Going to drag the Tracker out west this summer for an adventure. Hope I live through it!

Towing with a Ford F150 7700, which is the 2wd version of the F250. 5.4 LTR Factory towing setup. Plenty of power. Big Ass 4 wheel discs too, which I just rebuilt with all new parts. I should be ok. thanks all for your input, and Gearjam, Rhinoman, I am going to check out one of those braking setups.

...price starts |removethispart|@ $570...  

Would be great if you flat towed a lot.

But, for our needs; overkill.    imho.

Holy Crap! $570 Starting price! I'll learn to be more careful!

...post up the mount pics so we can see!

Welded some bracing to the front of the frame, then just welded the tow bar mount to it. I figured if the factory steel loop on the front was strong enough to yank with ( I've pulled a coulple of stuck rigs with it ) braced up it should be fine for tow bar mounts. Welds aren't too pretty, but will do the job, I had to make a couple of passes because of the thickness of the plate on the two bar mount. They don't stick out any further than the stock loop did, so I figure I didn't loose much if any approach angle.

I think i would gusset the bottom of the 'u' bracket to alleviate side stresses; the one's that came w/my HF towbar look like yours but with a  flate plate at the bottom/base of the 'u'; approx 1" wide;dunno if I'm being clear enough...?

-meaning- with the gusset, the bar cannot fall to ground when pin removed...hth 

How would the tow bar be free to move up and down with the bottom boxed in like that? I mean it's easy enough to weld on a couple of gussets, but necessary?

I don't mean for the gusset to restrict movement; just trying to explain where the gusset is on mine.

The side-to-side stresses while turning are probably greater than pulling/stopping.

W/O gusset, there is nothing to prevent the bracket from widening/bending when side stressed?

How thick is the bracket? 3/8"?

You're right, might not be necc.; I only mentioned as mine came gusseted...

The steel on mine appears to be about 1/4" or slightly larger. I sleaved the boxed section of the tow bar so the bolts have more surface area to connect with. I also re-fit all the pivot points with SS shims so there's no metal to metal contact of the moving parts, ( other than the thrust shims) and greased everything thouroughly.    I think I'll add the gussets just to be safe though, overkill is my middle name.

I went ahead and added a gusset to the bottom of each bracket, 5/16th plate steel, that extends back and down to the bottom of the frame, and about 1.5" back on the bottom of the frame box section. This ties the tow bar bracket securely into the frame. I think this is PLENTY strong enough now.