Most cars and trucks need the key in the ignition,and turned one notch forward to release the steering wheel lock. How do you handle this,while towing four down? Lock vehicle with spare key? Remove key every time you stop? Disable ignition system? This towing four down is getting to be a real PIA. I am only doing it to make more camp sites and parks available to us.
Get a blank key cut, no chip, just a flat key. Use this key only for towing, no key ring to swing back and forth possibly moving the ignition switch to the wrong position. If your key is chipped, the towing key can be left in the ignition. Nobody can steal the truck as the truck won't start for more then a couple of seconds without the chipped key. Lock your truck with your regular key and leave the towing key in the ignition. I leave my towing key next to my gear shift so I don't forget to use it when I tow. If my keys are NOT in my pocket, I know I forgot to change keys when towing.
Chuck
02 Travel Supreme, 2 street side slides
09 Toyota Tacoma 2WD
I had a non-computer chip spare key made. It will operate the ignition switch but will not allow the car to run more than a couple of seconds. Most newer vehicles have a key with the chip in it. If yours does, just take it to a hardware store and have a regular key made. I am almost positive your Dakota would have a chip key. The regular key only costs a couple of dollars instead of the huge costs of a chip key replacement. I had several made so I would have extras in case I lose one.
John & Doris Doris and Robbies Blogs 2006 Four Winds Hurricane 34N, F53 - V10
2004 Jeep Liberty Renegade 4x4 Toad
Roadmaster Falcon 2 tow bar
EvenBrake toad braking system
FMCA F380583, PA, Good Sams
Well this might help some, most keys today are chipped, meaning there is a coded chip in the head of the key. That is the main reason there so expensive to replace. But to make a long story short, you can go to most hardware stores and have them cut a key from a blank, regular flat head key (none chipped) that will work the ignition. This is referred to as a valet key. It will start the car, but after a few minuets it will shut the car down. So using this kind of key will help keep your car safe. I found this out last year when I was have a jeep key made from the jeep dealer ship. Good Luck and happy towing. Bill
All doors except drivers door locked. We take key out and lock IF leaving the vehicles to shop or other wise be away for a while. Gass up - pit stop - walk dog other quickies one of us is usually close by so we don't worry about it. No one can just jump in and drive off with it connected to MH.
Great information,I had heard of a valet key but did not under stand it. Actually my Jeep came with one,the key blade separates from the chip,and door lock buttons. My Dakota does not have that feature. I will get one made today.
I tow with a blue ox which has padlocks instead of pins securing the towbar to the base plate. I really don't see how there can be a concern about someone getting in a car with the key in the ignition that is connected to a motorhome and just driving off. The contents in the toad present a different scenario.
06 Monaco Knight 40PLQ
08 SATURN VUE BE PREPARED- NEVER BRING A KNIFE TO A GUNFIGHT.
If we stop for an extended period, I remove the key and lock the doors. For towing, I don't worry about it. I figure any guy (or two guys) with the strength and endurance to run up (at 60 MPH), disconnect the toad, jump in, start it and drive off, hey, I'M certainly not going to argue with them!
mowermech wrote: If we stop for an extended period, I remove the key and lock the doors. For towing, I don't worry about it. I figure any guy (or two guys) with the strength and endurance to run up (at 60 MPH), disconnect the toad, jump in, start it and drive off, hey, I'M certainly not going to argue with them!
Same here. I don't worry about it. I worry more about removing the key and then having to remember to put it back in so I leave it.
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