Re: Towing a 4wd

On Apr 12, 10:04 am, me at <my.addr... (AT) is (DOT) invalid> wrote:

Hi,

I want to get a car dolly that just the front wheels sit in, rear
wheels are on the road, and tow across country.

Both of my trucks are 4wd and the transfer case can be put into
neutral. How many miles is ok? This means I do not have to
remove the drive shaft, right?

They are a 1971 K20 and a 2007 K2500.

Thanks,

Vic

Get a drive-up trailer on a one rental. In my experience the price
isn't much different from a front wheel trailer. The weight
difference won't be noticable, it should tow and back-up better and
you won't have to worry about the driveline.

I think you only have to remove the drive shaft on an automatic. If
it's manual, slip it into neutral and your good to go.

Double check it though, just to be safe.

On 12 Apr 2007 07:13:13 -0700, "John S." <hjsjms (AT) cs (DOT) com> wrote:

On Apr 12, 10:04 am, me at <my.addr... (AT) is (DOT) invalid> wrote:
Hi,

I want to get a car dolly that just the front wheels sit in, rear
wheels are on the road, and tow across country.

Both of my trucks are 4wd and the transfer case can be put into
neutral. How many miles is ok? This means I do not have to
remove the drive shaft, right?

They are a 1971 K20 and a 2007 K2500.

Thanks,

Vic

Get a drive-up trailer on a one rental. In my experience the price
isn't much different from a front wheel trailer. The weight
difference won't be noticable, it should tow and back-up better and
you won't have to worry about the driveline.

I do not buy the price or weight difference thing as it will weight
likely at least 1000 lbs more and cost a lot more for a good one (not
a cheap on the sell with LD 3500 lb axles and car tires) plus it will
add a lot of tongue weight to TV too. WIthe the 71 if you place the NP
205 Tcase in neutral you cann tow it all over the place on a dolly no
problem. On the 2007, I would trailer that or remove rear drive shaft
if you dolly it because of Tcase design.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

On Apr 12, 9:04 am, me at <my.addr... (AT) is (DOT) invalid> wrote:

Hi,

I want to get a car dolly that just the front wheels sit in, rear
wheels are on the road, and tow across country.

Both of my trucks are 4wd and the transfer case can be put into
neutral. How many miles is ok? This means I do not have to
remove the drive shaft, right?

They are a 1971 K20 and a 2007 K2500.

Thanks,

Vic

What transfer case do they have? I know on my Bronco the t-case oil
pump is driven by the output shaft so it will lube itself when towed.
You should be able to put the t-case in neutral and be good to go.
Don't forget that once you do that there's nothing holding the shaft,
so even in park it will roll away without chocks or the e-brake.

One thing I would worry about is weight. I don't think there are any
dollies that will handle the kind of load you are talking about. I
think you will need a trailer and trailer brakes to move either one of
these.

Calvin

On 12 Apr 2007 14:04:54 GMT, me at <my.address (AT) is (DOT) invalid> wrote:

Hi,

I want to get a car dolly that just the front wheels sit in, rear
wheels are on the road, and tow across country.

Both of my trucks are 4wd and the transfer case can be put into
neutral. How many miles is ok? This means I do not have to
remove the drive shaft, right?

They are a 1971 K20 and a 2007 K2500.

Thanks,

Vic

I doubt the K2500 will fit on a dolly... (IMHO, but maybe I'm wrong!)

I've been told both that for long distances it is OK, and for long
distances better to remove drive shaft.

Were it my truck, I'd pull the drive shaft. Easy to do, and minimizes
wear/tear on the tcase and other moving parts.

me at wrote:

Hi,

I want to get a car dolly that just the front wheels sit in, rear
wheels are on the road, and tow across country.

Both of my trucks are 4wd and the transfer case can be put into
neutral. How many miles is ok? This means I do not have to
remove the drive shaft, right?

They are a 1971 K20 and a 2007 K2500.

Thanks,

Vic



MUCH better to disconnect the shaft than trust the case to stay in

neutral. The T case won't burn up from lack of lube either. No need to
pull it all the way though. Pull the rear joint loose, tape the U joint
caps on good and hang it from the frame with a strap.

--
Steve W.

me at wrote:

Hi,

I want to get a car dolly that just the front wheels sit in, rear
wheels are on the road, and tow across country.

Both of my trucks are 4wd and the transfer case can be put into
neutral. How many miles is ok? This means I do not have to
remove the drive shaft, right?

They are a 1971 K20 and a 2007 K2500.

Thanks,

Vic



Yes, you can tow it long distances with the

transfer case in neutral. Lots of people do it every
summer with no adverse effects.
Instead of a tow dolly, I would use a tow bar.
Bolts to the front bumper mounts, doesn't weigh much of
anything, and it's a whole lot cheaper. You'll also
need some additional lights. I used one on my Blazer
and it worked really well from CO to NY, and then back
to CO.



--
..boB
2006 FXDI hot rod
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1965 FFR Cobra - 427W EFI, Damn Fast.

just remember that in some states a tow dolly is not legal on all roads.
here in New Jersey, you can not use a tow dolly on one of the main roads. i
don't remember if it is the turnpike or parkway though. you would be better
off using a trailer. this way, you will not show the mileage on the
speedometer.
".boB" <noneofyourbusiness (AT) goaway (DOT) net> wrote

me at wrote:
Hi,

I want to get a car dolly that just the front wheels sit in, rear
wheels are on the road, and tow across country.

Both of my trucks are 4wd and the transfer case can be put into
neutral. How many miles is ok? This means I do not have to
remove the drive shaft, right?

They are a 1971 K20 and a 2007 K2500.

Thanks,

Vic



Yes, you can tow it long distances with the transfer case in neutral.
Lots of people do it every summer with no adverse effects.
Instead of a tow dolly, I would use a tow bar. Bolts to the front
bumper mounts, doesn't weigh much of anything, and it's a whole lot
cheaper. You'll also need some additional lights. I used one on my
Blazer and it worked really well from CO to NY, and then back to CO.



--
.boB
2006 FXDI hot rod
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1965 FFR Cobra - 427W EFI, Damn Fast.

On Apr 12, 3:30 pm, SnoMan <a... (AT) snoman (DOT) com> wrote:

On 12 Apr 2007 07:13:13 -0700, "John S." <hjs... (AT) cs (DOT) com> wrote:





On Apr 12, 10:04 am, me at <my.addr... (AT) is (DOT) invalid> wrote:
Hi,

I want to get a car dolly that just the front wheels sit in, rear
wheels are on the road, and tow across country.

Both of my trucks are 4wd and the transfer case can be put into
neutral. How many miles is ok? This means I do not have to
remove the drive shaft, right?

They are a 1971 K20 and a 2007 K2500.

Thanks,

Vic

Get a drive-up trailer on a one rental. In my experience the price
isn't much different from a front wheel trailer. The weight
difference won't be noticable, it should tow and back-up better and
you won't have to worry about the driveline.

I do not buy the price or weight difference thing as it will weight
likely at least 1000 lbs more and cost a lot more for a good one (not
a cheap on the sell with LD 3500 lb axles and car tires) plus it will
add a lot of tongue weight to TV too.

It would be best if you actually priced one out before making
startements like that. My son and I drove a rented a truck carrying
his goods and towing his car from the west coast to the east coast not
long ago. The difference in price between the two towing setups was
all but negligible. And the drive-on trailer is a more stable
platform that is easier to maneuver. That some localities do not
allow dollied towing on the road should give some indication about
which is the preferred setup.

Heck, it is possible to tow a car with a length of rope too. Not
safe, but it can be made to work. For long distance driving I would
always recommend going for the most stable setup - in this case a
drive on trailer.



WIthe the 71 if you place the NP

205 Tcase in neutral you cann tow it all over the place on a dolly no
problem. On the 2007, I would trailer that or remove rear drive shaft
if you dolly it because of Tcase design.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

========
========
On Apr 13, 11:01�am, me at <my.addr... (AT) is (DOT) invalid> wrote:

Well, Lot's of good input, some knee jerk too.

2007, Turns out I had some time to look for the 2007 manual and
it says ok for any distance with transfer case in neutral. *As
far as transmission it is a little ambiguous, so I wrote an
email to Chevy this morning. *I like the idea of leaving it in
park.

1971, beats me, I think it is ok, the 205 is a gear driven so I
think it will lube itself. They are dynamite tough too. *Maybe I
will tow with the tranny in first.

=======

=======
Putting the transmission in park insures the trannies
guts don't start turning and creating ANY heat...which
IS NOT going to be cooled without the pump circulating
the fluid.
"IF"....for some reason there's any "drag" created inside
the transfer case (even in neutral) because of the driveshaft
turning at highway speeds, the shaft could transmit the
momentum to the transmission output shaft and create
even a miniscule amount of friction internal of the tranny.
This will be completely impossible with the trans in park.


anywhoooooo...........
as with Dr's.....second opinions are a good thing.


let us know what Chevy says.





~:~
marshmonster
~sips his crownroyal...takes a toke..~
~:~