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Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? #278082 04/05/09 11:18 AM 04/05/09 11:18 AM
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 834 Beavercreek, Ohio OA5599 OP super stock
OA5599 OP super stock Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 834 Beavercreek, Ohio	Using my Grand Cherokee to tow my 98 Dakota 2wd 2.5 4-cyl 5 speed manual. I am going from Missouri to Ohio. If truck is in neutral, is there a need to disconnect the driveshaft? I have never used a tow dolly before, but I was with my friend as he used a tow dolly to pull his 74 Cuda with a manual and we had no problems and the car drove fine after. I don't want to tear anything up, so...any advice? Thanks

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? [Re: OA5599] #278083 04/05/09 11:38 AM 04/05/09 11:38 AM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,193 NEW JERSEY AARCONV master
AARCONV master Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,193 NEW JERSEY	manual trans is ok...automatics will be a problem in a long haul

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? [Re: AARCONV] #278084 04/05/09 11:43 AM 04/05/09 11:43 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,149 New Mexico UCUDANT Troll Hunter
UCUDANT Troll Hunter Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,149 New Mexico	The Auto trans needs the engine turning to drive the pump. If you tow an auto in Neutral the drive shaft should be removed or the internal will spin without the aid of the pump

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? [Re: UCUDANT] #278085 04/05/09 12:26 PM 04/05/09 12:26 PM
Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 14,889 up yours Supercuda About to go away
Supercuda About to go away Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 14,889 up yours	Quote: The Auto trans needs the engine turning to drive the pump. If you tow an auto in Neutral the drive shaft should be removed or the internal will spin without the aid of the pump That is true of non cable shifted automatics, teh older ones had a rear pump that will pump oil when being towed. That being said I still disconnect the driveshaft anyway. They say there are no such thing as a stupid question. They say there is always the exception that proves the rule. Don't be the exception.

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? [Re: AARCONV] #278086 04/05/09 12:47 PM 04/05/09 12:47 PM
A Anonymous Unregistered
Anonymous Unregistered A	Quote: manual trans is ok...automatics will be a problem in a long haul Did you just guess up that answer or do you really know what you're talking about? MOST if not ALL older stick transmissions CAN NOT be towed for very far in neutral, because the mainshaft will rotate inside the gears, and there's nothing to distribute oil I understand that some "newer stuff" with overdrive geared transmissions "may" be OK DEPENDING on th vehicle. Get ahold of Chrysler, take a trip through your owner's manual, or get ahold of someone in "Sams Club" You need to find this answer specifically to the Dakota, not generally

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? #278087 04/05/09 01:01 PM 04/05/09 01:01 PM
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 15,487 Florida S scratchnfotraction I Live Here
scratchnfotraction I Live Here S Joined: May 2003 Posts: 15,487 Florida	with 440sixpack,turns with no lubrecation on the manual trannys I would R&R the shaft to be on the safe side IMO not to mentin the speedo is racking the miles that are not on the engine...the speedo will be running as its towed with the shaft in how long will it really take,you can just unhook from the rear axle and hang it with a good zip tie or wire and tape the u-joint caps on and ride done that a lot my self towing..with a dolly or a strap you could haul it with the rear on the dolly and leave the steering unlocked so it can turn..they ride right behind the tow car and the one be towed will follow...like a tram train done it that way a lot also

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? #278088 04/05/09 01:03 PM 04/05/09 01:03 PM
Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 247 DuPont, Washington D DZJim enthusiast
DZJim enthusiast D Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 247 DuPont, Washington	Quote: Quote: manual trans is ok...automatics will be a problem in a long haul Did you just guess up that answer or do you really know what you're talking about? MOST if not ALL older stick transmissions CAN NOT be towed for very far in neutral, because the mainshaft will rotate inside the gears, and there's nothing to distribute oil I understand that some "newer stuff" with overdrive geared transmissions "may" be OK DEPENDING on th vehicle. Get ahold of Chrysler, take a trip through your owner's manual, or get ahold of someone in "Sams Club" You need to find this answer specifically to the Dakota, not generally Well spoken! I did have to take a look in my '72 manual, because I might have knee-jerk replied manual OK, auto disconnect driveshaft. Sho' Nuff'... tow more than 15 miles or faster than 30 mph, driveshaft has to be disconnected; no distinction made between auto and manual for '72 Imperial Chrysler Plymouth. Point well-made above is the best source of info is the factory manual...

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? [Re: OA5599] #278089 04/05/09 05:20 PM 04/05/09 05:20 PM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 101 Oregon R RoadRaceDart member
RoadRaceDart member R Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 101 Oregon	Back the truck on the dolly and you'll be fine. Joshua

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? [Re: RoadRaceDart] #278090 04/05/09 06:34 PM 04/05/09 06:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,616 Kissimmee Fl. D dusturbd340W5 master
dusturbd340W5 master D Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,616 Kissimmee Fl.	Quote: Back the truck on the dolly and you'll be fine. either back it on or pull the drive shaft 70 duster full chassis super pro 416 CNC Indybrock heads 727 w/brake best so far 1.212 60 6.219 in 1/8 at 110.88 9.768 at 137.81 1/4

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? [Re: OA5599] #278091 04/05/09 06:42 PM 04/05/09 06:42 PM
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 30,491 Florida STAYcation dOc … The village idiot's idiot
dOc … The village idiot's idiot Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 30,491 Florida STAYcation	For going that distance .... I would just disconnect the DS and shift it over to the side and tie-it-up. WHY pull it all that distance with that additional drag(turning the trans) on the tow vehicle ?

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? [Re: RoadRaceDart] #278092 04/05/09 09:50 PM 04/05/09 09:50 PM
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 20,203 PA. pittsburghracer "Little"John
pittsburghracer "Little"John Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 20,203 PA.	Quote: Back the truck on the dolly and you'll be fine. The instructions that came with my dolly said to NEVER tow a car backwards because it could cause major damage to steering and suspension parts on the car being towed. 1970 Duster Edelbrock headed 408 5.984@112.52 422 Indy headed small block 5.982@112.56 mph 9.42@138.27 Livin and lovin life one day at a time

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? [Re: pittsburghracer] #278093 04/05/09 10:02 PM 04/05/09 10:02 PM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 101 Oregon R RoadRaceDart member
RoadRaceDart member R Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 101 Oregon	If the steering is locked straight ahead and the steering isn't worn out to the point that the wheels wobble it will work fine. I used to pull my 240Z around this way because the spoiler was too low to drive the car on front first. You might want some weight in the back of the truck to help keep the dolly on the road, but it will work fine. Tow trucks drag cars and trucks backward all the time. If you're that worried about pulling it backward then pull the driveshaft. Don't forget to plug the trans so the lube stays in and dirt stays out. Joshua

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? [Re: RoadRaceDart] #278094 04/05/09 10:48 PM 04/05/09 10:48 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,651 S.E.Ohio Magnumguy I Live Here
Magnumguy I Live Here Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,651 S.E.Ohio	hey Sam, I'd disconnect it, what if it falls into gear? Be on the safe side with it. "Multiple Magnum owner since 1978!!" https://www.facebook.com/groups/146952895354657/

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? [Re: Magnumguy] #278095 04/06/09 08:06 AM 04/06/09 08:06 AM
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 15,487 Florida S scratchnfotraction I Live Here
scratchnfotraction I Live Here S Joined: May 2003 Posts: 15,487 Florida	when I pulled mine from the rear axle and left the steering locked it wanted to pull the tires off the dolly when turning when unlocked the front would steer itself around the corners I think the damage they are talking about is rack and pinion...it does spin it all the way lock to lock on the steering... it does spin and hit kinda hard on tne locks but I dont turn them very sharp unless I had to sounds like you need to pull the shaft and tow it fowards good luck and swing wide around turns,watch the bumper poles at the gas stations DAMHIK

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? [Re: scratchnfotraction] #278096 04/06/09 08:31 AM 04/06/09 08:31 AM
Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,607 Pgh, PA B Bull1tt top fuel
Bull1tt top fuel B Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,607 Pgh, PA	When using a tow dolly, the front wheels need to turn with it. Steering needs to be unlocked! Drop the driveshaft on a RWD vehicle. That's not hard. Never back on to a tow dolly, it's not safe to tow that way. They are not designed to be used like that. It's all common sense... BTW....Yes, tow trucks will sometimes tow from the rear, BUT TWO WHEELS ARE COMPLETELY OFF THE GROUND. If the wheels that are ON the dolly can't turn side to side (steering unlocked) you will be trying to slide, or drag the dolly around turns.

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? [Re: Bull1tt] #278097 04/06/09 09:15 AM 04/06/09 09:15 AM
Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 21,345 Marysville, O-H-I-O 70Cuda383 Too Many Posts
70Cuda383 Too Many Posts Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 21,345 Marysville, O-H-I-O	some of the u-haul dollys have a pivoting platform for the wheels to set on, to allow the dolly to turn around a corner before the back of the vehicle being towed gets there, and the vehicle on the dolly can pivot from left to right on top of the dolly...are all dolly's like this? another issue i've seen with people towing backwards, with the steering unlocked, is that the vehicle being towed starts crabbing out sidways as the front wheels are loose and free to turn. Photobucket sucks

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? [Re: 70Cuda383] #278098 04/06/09 09:59 AM 04/06/09 09:59 AM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 4,503 NJ 4 440challenger master
440challenger master 4 Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 4,503 NJ	I had some REALLLLLLLLLLLLL hairball expereiences all in one day trying to tow a 71 chevelle Backwards on a tow dolly. on the interstate the front end would start dancing all over the place and i looked over and the car was next to my truck, drivers door! Felt like i was trying to steer a wild bull. The front end would start swaping like crazy. Last time i did that. Suprised you guys haven't had problems

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? [Re: 440challenger] #278099 04/06/09 11:32 AM 04/06/09 11:32 AM
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 7,833 east side of Ohio basketcase master
basketcase master Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 7,833 east side of Ohio	save yourself any trouble, and forget the dolley. rent a car trailer from U Haul for $65, and get the whole truck off the ground. Dave 1981 Dodge D150 360 auto

Re: Tow Dolly. Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? [Re: basketcase] #278100 04/06/09 04:51 PM 04/06/09 04:51 PM
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 834 Beavercreek, Ohio OA5599 OP super stock
OA5599 OP super stock Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 834 Beavercreek, Ohio	I would, but uhaul wont give me a car trailer. I have a 2004 grand cherokee limited with a 4.7 rated at 7700 lbs, but uhaul wont let it happen. Besides, a trailer around town for a day might be $65, but from Kansas City MO to SE Ohio is a different story. Tow dolly was $138 for that trip before insurance.

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