Towing rear wheeled cars?

Red1990Lx · Mar 22, 2007

I am moving from Georgia to Ohio and need to make one trip. So I am going to rent a car hauler and a truck. However, I have a 1996 Ranger I need to tow. They say the car dolly (two whels on, two off) is for front wheel drive cars. Can I tow the truck with that eventhough it's rear wheel drive without doing damage to the truck??? This is my daily driver and I don't care about mileage, just that the truck wont be hurt doing this tow. Budget recomended the dolly on their web-site, but again, I have no clue. Any help would be great, thanks!!!

shhak · Mar 22, 2007

I've always done this, and I think the rental places even to instruct you to do this. On any rear wheel drive vehicle, you remove the driveshaft before towing it. I think they tell you to actually completely remove it, but I always just unbolted it from the rear end and tied it up to the under side of the car, leaving the yoke in the tailshaft of the transmission. That keeps all the tranny fluid from leaking out all over the place. Hope this helps. Oh, by the way, where are you moving to in Ohio? I live in Miamisburg which is about half way between Dayton and Cinncy.

Red1990Lx · Mar 22, 2007

Yeah, I figured I would have to unbolt the drive-shaft, was trying to avoid doing that....Pros and cons of not doing it; five speed truck.... I'll be right in your neck of the woods then!!! I'm moving to Springboro near 741. I'll be up next week on the 30th! The Stang is in C-Bus already :OT: (had it shipped...DAS Shippers suck and have lead foot drivers loading the customers cars; hence me needing new tires...jerks!) Any thoughts on not taking the drive-shaft off? I need to start hitting it with WD-40 if thats the case!!!!

HISSIN50 · Mar 22, 2007

I would also drop the DS (four 12mm, 12 point bolts).

You could also consult with a local but good RV place. All them old people are always hauling their old cars around. The RV place might know something we dont, but I dont see getting around the DS issue if you have to go too far.

Good luck.

94-302-vert · Mar 23, 2007

You could jsut leave it in neutral but for peace of mine I would pull the D/S... less than an hour to do and it can save you THOUSANDS of $'s in damage shoudl anything happen...

HGFireHazard · Mar 23, 2007

Another vote for unbolting the DS. All you have to do is jack up the rear, and if you have a buddy sitting in the car to set and release the parking brake you can have it unbolted in no time flat.

If you're worried about the bolts being stuck, shoot some PB blaster or some other penetrating fluid on hours/day before. I live in Michigan and I just did mine and with a 2 foot breaker bar I had no problems... and they were rusty.

kck6894 · Mar 23, 2007

You have to un-bolt the DS or it will destroy your Trans/transfercase. It's not an option.

drakesdad · Mar 23, 2007

Finally making the move ............ ..

hope the trip in un-eventful for you.........you'll make it just in time for the season to open.......

gcomfx.com · Mar 23, 2007

http://www.uhaul.com/guide/userguide-towdolly.pdf

Page 5....

TRANSMISSION DAMAGE TO
YOUR VEHICLE-IN-TOW
When towing a rear axle driven front engine vehicle,
the drive shaft must be disconnected to prevent
transmission damage. Simply placing the transmission
in neutral is not sufficient and will not
prevent damage due to a lack of internal lubrication.
You must disconnect the drive shaft at the
rear axle and tie or wire it up. The universal joint
bearing caps must be taped on to prevent loss of
the bearings. If you choose to remove the drive
shaft entirely, it may be necessary to cap the transmission
tail shaft to prevent fluid loss and possible
future damage. Consult your vehicle owner’s
manual.

Red1990Lx · Mar 23, 2007

drakesdad said:
Finally making the move ............ ..

hope the trip in un-eventful for you.........you'll make it just in time for the season to open.......

I know, I am so stoked about finally moving up!!! I found a nice house for the price, a little on the small side, but nice piece of land. I'll be adding a two car garage ASAP (Poor car doesn't get to see my tax money this year...)!!! I miss driving the Mustang on nice days like we have been having in Georgia for the past month or so. I'll be up there friday for my closing (packing the truck wednesday, going to closings down here, then driving like a SOB to get to Ohio at a decent hour). I hope the U-haul will make it up all those Tennesse roads!!! Wish me luck!

gcomfx.com said:
http://www.uhaul.com/guide/userguide-towdolly.pdf

Page 5....

TRANSMISSION DAMAGE TO
YOUR VEHICLE-IN-TOW
When towing a rear axle driven front engine vehicle,
the drive shaft must be disconnected to prevent
transmission damage. Simply placing the transmission
in neutral is not sufficient and will not
prevent damage due to a lack of internal lubrication.
You must disconnect the drive shaft at the
rear axle and tie or wire it up. The universal joint
bearing caps must be taped on to prevent loss of
the bearings. If you choose to remove the drive
shaft entirely, it may be necessary to cap the transmission
tail shaft to prevent fluid loss and possible
future damage. Consult your vehicle owner’s
manual.

Thanks for the information, I just have too many things going on right now to look too much on the internet these days. Moving a three bedroom house by yourself and selling?buying a new house long distance is terrible!!! All I can say is that I have too much junk!!! I am throwing a lot of stuff away and donating what I can to various charity's. Thanks again!!!

shhak · Mar 23, 2007

Hey, not to be sticking my nose in your business or anything, but what made you decide to move to Ohio? I live right off of 725 in Miamisburg, about 2 miles from the Dayton Mall.

What kind of stang do you drive? If you happen to see a Torch Red 03 cobra shooting up and down the interstate at 160mph, that's not me. Mine is the one cruising at about 70. Hope to see you around.

Oh, are you going to make it to the Spring Swap up in Columbus next weekend?

Later.

iwashmycar · Mar 23, 2007

welcome to Ohio! youll love the Buckeyes and hate the weather!!

and that reminds me shhak, I gotta take off work! thanks

Red1990Lx · Mar 23, 2007

shhak said:
Hey, not to be sticking my nose in your business or anything, but what made you decide to move to Ohio? I live right off of 725 in Miamisburg, about 2 miles from the Dayton Mall.

What kind of stang do you drive? If you happen to see a Torch Red 03 cobra shooting up and down the interstate at 160mph, that's not me. Mine is the one cruising at about 70. Hope to see you around.

Oh, are you going to make it to the Spring Swap up in Columbus next weekend?

Later.

Nah, it's fine... I am originally from Columbus, Ohio and moved to Georgia right out of high school four and a half years ago to persue a new career. Two companies later (same trade though) I think I have found a good company who treats their employee's like they should be treated and not like trash. Also, all of my family is in Ohio as well. I do electrical work (mainly commercial, residential isn't a problem either). I should start with Beacon Electric on April 2, 2007. However, I just recieved word that the buyers here in Georgia might not close the deal; a week before I should close down here and then up there. It's a mess right now and I have the utilities set to shut off on thursday of next week as well...

Is that Spring Swap next wekk already? Man, that came quick... Is it at the Ohio Expo again? I am seriously going to try and make it, does it go through Sunday as well? If so, I may try and go then as I have to get the Stang from my brothers' condo in C-Bus. When were you planning on going to the swap?

I drive a laser red 94 GT. Forged 306 with a vortech and a lot more go fast goodies under the hood...... Hasn't seen the 1/4 mile yet, it's set up for road racing currently... My name is Joey by the way...

Towing rear wheeled cars?

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