Re: Manual Tran. Towing

It's a slow day on the board so I'll toss this in— I can't absolutely say you will damage the tranny if you don't disconnect the driveshaft. But I can absolutely say you won't damage it if you do disconnect the drive shaft.

Towing with the D-shaft connected means spinning the OD output flange, the OD innards, and the tranny mainshaft (aka output shaft). This always happens when coasting. If it didn't, we'd get no engine braking.

But with the tranny in Neutral the Input shaft does not spin, since the engine is not running. This means that the Idler Gear (aka Cluster Gear/Layshaft) won't be spinning either.

It's the spinning Idler Gear that normally provides the splash lubrication inside the tranny. Therefore, there will be NO LUBRICATION for the spinning mainshaft, its rear bearing, and all the needle bearings or bushings for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd speed drive gears, synchro hubs, etc.—all riding that spinning mainshaft—with no oil splashing.

Many claim to have towed RWD cars without disconnecting the driveshaft and suffered no damage. I'd say no apparent or immediate damage. But what about possible shortened bearing/bushing life? It's not a gamble I'd want to take, when I can have the driveshaft uncoupled and tied to one side in 1/2 hour or so.

MotorHome magazine's web site and Pensketruckrental.com, among others, also recommend it.

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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.

I did something similar with a friend last night (Panorama City to San Francisco). We rented a tow dolly from U-Haul, and used his brother's Ford E-350 extended wheelbase van. Unfortunately the locations up here did not have any for rent. We had to rent a dolly in Santa Monica(!). The in-town rental fee is $40, with mileage the fee was $110. If you can rent the dolly at home, you can opt for the in-town rate and save a bunch of money.

The V10 motor averaged about 65mph (the dolly recommends a max speed of 45mph, but seemed very stable up to 75mph) up the five, which was a little fast for my tastes (I made the friend do all of the driving). The longer, heavier, and more powerful your tow vehicle is the happier you will be. The tow dolly had mechanically activated hydraulic brakes, but added 2,000 pounds to our load. If you're going to tow with a towbar or a dolly that'll only support two wheels... allow a much much longer distance for stopping.

FWIW I would never rent a van from U-Haul, ever. From what I could see their lack of maintenance is frightening, and from what I've heard it's worse than you would think. If you do rent a dolly, check the tire pressure before you leave. One of the tires on our dolly got very hot compared to the rest.

I imagine you wouldn't have a huge problem towing a brick with tow bar another brick (all four wheels of the towed vehicle on the ground). You would just have to limit your top speed and allow a lot more room for braking. As an added bonus, a car is bound to be more stable in the wind, and a LOT more comfortable. That Ford van was horrible.

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alex

Have just done something similar to this twice in the last few months. I've been renting the "car dolly"(2 wheels on the ground, and front 2 on the dolly) from U-Haul for about $40/day. No problem except getting help to push it up onto the thing if the towed car will not start (or crank)- could use the starter to run it a short distance onto the dolly. For me ,these things are very difficult to back up with-so think ahead as you pull into someplace.You will need help getting it off the dolly/transport at your destination, (if you had to push it onto the thing to start with.)
Having not done much towing, I found out this stuff through trial and error, (much I don't want to do again!!)
. The instructions say you must tow with the front wheels in the dolly. (not the back). Go "wide' as you pull up to a gas pump etc.
Was told that "car transport"( all 4 wheels off the ground) weighs 2000 lbs, and for my van, would beat up the brakes and transmission; and be too much weight to safely pull.("tail wagging the dog syndrome"), but apparently OK with a truck.
The car dolly requires a 2inch ball and a "class 2" hitch. Tha "transport requires a "Class 3" .
Manual trans- no problem. Just make sure it is in neutral. Auto trans- book states;" 20MPH, 20 miles", or you have to drop the drive shaft.
Instructions say 45mph towing max but you can go faster without difficulty. Just remember it takes longer to stop. When initially towing, I am very "uptight and concerned" but get used to the noises and characteristics after a short while. I stop after a short distance to resecure/tighten hold downd etc. I was also concernrd that the engine parts in the rear area of the towed station wagon could pop the hatch open and cause a mishap for the cars in back, but all went well.
Hope this info from a novice helps.

Hello,

No need to do anything. Just make sure it's in neutral and you can flat tow it to the moon if you so choose.
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Happy Bricking!!! - Richard - '87 245 DL , '82 242 GLT - Volvo's are alive and well in Brampton!!!