If I tow my Roadster with the front wheels in the Dolly, do I need to disconnect the drive shaft? The rear is a Ford 9", and the transmission is a 200-4R. This would be about a 1,200 mile tow. Thanks, guys...
I have flat towed a few times without disconnecting the driveshaft without any problems. I can’t see there being any difference than coasting downhill.
My son dolly-towed his father-in-law's Jag 300 miles, folks were honking and pointing...he saw smoke in the rear view mirror, and pulled over...right across a field from a fire department. Dialed 911, only the Fire Dep't was not in the jurisdiction! Firemen stood out front of their building and watched the Jag burn to the ground. The carpet had caught fire from transmission heat... Son had warned father-in-law of the danger beforehand, offering to remove driveline but father-in-law didn't want him "tampering with the driveline of such sophisticated machinery". Insurance had also been canceled when 'Non-Opped'.
Driveshaft should always be disconnected for a flat tow with an automatic. The tranny internals are spinning and without the engine spinning the pump the tranny will burn up. I would also suggest pulling the driveshaft if you are towing a standard tranny car on a tow dolly where the transmission is forced to work at an angle during the tow (like on a tow dolly). I towed an OT car with a T5 tranny 900 miles on a tow dolly and when I got there the tranny was hot and stuck between gears. I think the front bearings were starved for oil and burned up. I had no idea anything was wrong until I fired the car up to get it off the dolly and couldn't get it into reverse or 1st. I usually just drop the rear u-joint out of the rearend, tape the caps tight and wire tie the driveshaft under the car. Having a spare front yoke is a good idea as then you can just pull the driveshaft completely and chuck the extra yoke in to keep the tranny from puking out the tail housing. Josh Quick Quick Speed Shop
Maybe I'm a bit redneck but I would have tried to tow the jag closer to the fire dept. And yes, definitely remove the driveshaft if towing for any distance.
i did when i towed my model a to florida from nj...also had my t-bucket shrink wraped by a guy that came to my home fo 60 bucks
I second this advice. I had flat towed a manual trans OT car with no problem about 900 miles round trip. Subsequently, I tow dollied the same model car, also manual trans, and locked up the tranny, even though it was in Neutral, in less than 80 miles. I theorize the elevated front of the car caused the lubricant to migrate to the rear of the case and starve the front area rotating parts It is absolutely imperative that any modern automatic be disconnected from the driveline to avoid damage unless it has a re-circulation pump installed or the engine is running at the time. That in itself is a very bad idea for several reasons. Dropping a driveshaft is very, very little effort when compared to the alternatives. Ray
you could always put it in neutral and just leave it run...for the whole 1200 miles. j/k always pull the shaft
A friend of mine runs a transmision shop he has a ton of red plastic "cups" that trannys are shipped with. Go ask, most shops will give ya one. It aint heavy enough to shake out like a yoke often will.
I bought a driveshaft that has a disconnect, like a yolk that disconnects the rear. Can't remember where I got it but will look if you PM me. Just pull the lever under the seat and tow. Will be flat towing mine. Jim
I towed an A pickup on a dolly from Seattle to Socal. Definitely without question disconnect the driveshaft.
Pull the shaft and cover the tailshaft of the tranny to avoid losing fluid,these guys saying its alright to tow with driveshaft in on an auto tranny definitely don"t know anything about cars.
suppose you could load it backasswards and secure the steerig wheel, but its probaly alot easier just to remove the D shaft.
rented uhaul that you can load car onto entire trailer for $50.00 a day. thats the way to go if you have access to one
There was thread on this recently and towing a vehicle backwards IS A VERY poor choice of the available methods. Ray
The disconnect is made by REMCO and used by RV'er to tow 4 down, very good and have been around for ever. Never heard of anyone having trouble.
Call around and find a trailer at one of the rental places, in the long run you will be much better off. 1200 miles is a long haul! Better safe than sorry in the long run!
The Jalopy Journal
