car towing
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
From: Germany
car towing
Hi,
during our last vacation I often saw huge motorhome towing a car or small trucks. I also saw the hitches for that in several stores.
What I wondering is how does it work? I was told that you'll have some damage to your automatic tranny if you tow the car more than about 30 miles. I cannot imagine that all towed cars are having a manual tranny so...is there a special clutch available which is disconnecting the tranny to the axle?
Thanks a lot
Jens
during our last vacation I often saw huge motorhome towing a car or small trucks. I also saw the hitches for that in several stores.
What I wondering is how does it work? I was told that you'll have some damage to your automatic tranny if you tow the car more than about 30 miles. I cannot imagine that all towed cars are having a manual tranny so...is there a special clutch available which is disconnecting the tranny to the axle?
Thanks a lot
Jens
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco, Ca.
I'm pretty sure that the automatic has to be in neutral.
I'm not sure on the older automatics with the rear pump in the transmission, though.
Just a wild guess.
I never heard of a disconnect set-up.
I don't drive a motorhome.
Interesting question.
I'm not sure on the older automatics with the rear pump in the transmission, though.
Just a wild guess.
I never heard of a disconnect set-up.
I don't drive a motorhome.
Interesting question.
Last edited by sierraben; Jul 21, 2005 at 02:09 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, KS
Some cars have a transmission disconnect. Basically hit the button and its like the transmission isn't there. You can also buy aftermarket setup. Look on a few rv websites it could explain it better.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco, Ca.
What if you towing a FWD vehicle?
You can't disconnect both front axle shafts while on the road.
Can you picture a retired person, say about 70+, under the car trying to disconnect drive shafts day in and day out?
How does coasting with the automatic in neutral cause any damage?
You can't disconnect both front axle shafts while on the road.
Can you picture a retired person, say about 70+, under the car trying to disconnect drive shafts day in and day out?
How does coasting with the automatic in neutral cause any damage?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by sierraben
How does coasting with the automatic in neutral cause any damage?
Remco Inc., makes halfshaft disconnects for front wheel drive vehicles and also lube pumps so that these parts don't run without oil. I don't know how well either of these work.
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco, Ca.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
My parents have a motor home and tow a car behind it, believe it or not, there are many cars out there that are built for "4 down towing" There is something different about the transmission set up.
I am not sure of the specifics of it, but it is very common knowledge in the Motor Home groupies on which cars can and which can't. My parents used to tow a cavalier, but bought a new Jeep Cherokee, they only looked at cars that were built for "4 down towing"
I dont know if this post helps or not
I am not sure of the specifics of it, but it is very common knowledge in the Motor Home groupies on which cars can and which can't. My parents used to tow a cavalier, but bought a new Jeep Cherokee, they only looked at cars that were built for "4 down towing"
I dont know if this post helps or not
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
I tow my suzuki samurai behind my truck and camper, first time I towed it I thought I was being smart and puting the transmision (5 spd) and transfer case in neutral, after closer examination I found that with the transfer case in neutral it actually engaged the front drive shaft (oops!) read my manual and specifically tells you to put the tranfer case in 2wd high range and the trans in neutral when towing the vehicle.
I have put a ton of miles on this way now and no problems yet, I just make sure my diff. fluid is always toped up and my rear drive shaft u-joints are lubed and in good shape.
The dolly idea works well plus it gives you some braking help if equiped with brakes, thats my biggest problem I wish I had some kind of braking on the tow vehicle but those system are so exspensive, I am still legal towing with no brakes (2800lbs or less than 1/2 your gvwr ) thats the limit up here ...
Regards, Domenico.......
I have put a ton of miles on this way now and no problems yet, I just make sure my diff. fluid is always toped up and my rear drive shaft u-joints are lubed and in good shape.
The dolly idea works well plus it gives you some braking help if equiped with brakes, thats my biggest problem I wish I had some kind of braking on the tow vehicle but those system are so exspensive, I am still legal towing with no brakes (2800lbs or less than 1/2 your gvwr ) thats the limit up here ...
Regards, Domenico.......
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 16
From: Kuna ID
My friend recently dolly towed an 84 Trans Am home, and against his better judgement and his friends telling him it would be okay, he just put the AT tranny in neutral and left the shaft in. He got about 50 miles before the tranny locked up, and he had to try and remove the shaft at night on the side of the highway. He was a little angry.
