Towing a car ... Remove driveshaft?

[blueriver]

When towing a car on a dolly behind the pickup ... do you need to remove the driveshaft??

 

[Diamondpilot]

When towing a car on a dolly behind the pickup ... do you need to remove the driveshaft??

Thats the way it used to be done. I have not towed a car on one in over 15 years and the three times I have they were all Front Wheel Drive GM products so no need to do so.

Chris

 

[RadarTech]

Check the cars owners manual.
Some cars say do not tow on a dolly.

Once I towed a mercury merkur,
I assumed I knew what to do.
I messed up the steering gear box.

Some cars will say to disconnect the battery and turn the key on...


But the rule I heard a friend say recently is that if you wouldn't want a tow truck to pull it, don't get a dolly, get a trailer.....

I think it goes without saying, but a dolly and the potential damage is more than a trailer will cost....


I hope this helps!


J

 

[blueriver]

Well its going from here to MN ... so I guess removing it is best.

 

[RadarTech]

What kind of car?

 

[LD1]

When towing a car on a dolly behind the pickup ... do you need to remove the driveshaft??

Short answer, YES.

99% of the time that is the case with a RWD and an Automatic. The reason for this is that the driveshaft spins gears inside the transmission (even if you have it in N). Without the other end running(engine and torque converter) you have no tranny pump running. Most trannys rely on the front pump to deliver the oil where needed to lubricate.

On a manual car, you can usually tow them though. They rely on "splash" lubrication and have no pump. So it doesnt matter which end you "drive" a manual tranny from.

But again, read the owners manual. All of them are different. And when in doubt, remove the DS or you could always tow it in reverse.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

I would rent a trailer from someone like Uhaul and trailer it. Keep in mind that if towing it on a dolly you cant back up more than a few feet unless you are verry good or lucky. I tow my jeep behind my motorhome and it is a PITA if I need to back up.
Bill

 

[blueriver]

What kind of car?

1997 Mercury Grand Marquis ...

 

[blueriver]

I would rent a trailer from someone like Uhaul and trailer it. Keep in mind that if towing it on a dolly you cant back up more than a few feet unless you are verry good or lucky. I tow my jeep behind my motorhome and it is a PITA if I need to back up.
Bill

Bill, Thanks. The long story short ... my ex-step son in law came down to visit his son that lives with us. He brought the dolly behind his pickup to reclaim the car that the step daughter has ... sooo he already has the dolly and the car here at my place. He did tow it 30 miles to get here ... I am the one who suggested removing the DS for the trip to MN ... Thanks

 

[schmism]

ive towed a number of rear wheel drive cars backwards with no issues. quicker than pulling the DS.

obviously if its a front wheel drive car pulling it on forward would be best :thumbsup:

if its all wheel drive... forward and pull the DS