When one buys a motorhome and wants to buy a car or truck to tow with
it, one queries the manufacturer of the contemplated vehicle as to
wheather it may be towed safely for long distances. One dpesn't trust
a salesman's word, or that of the shop manager. One gets it in writing
from the manufacturer. The related magazines contain charts showing
which cars/trucks are suitable as "dinghys."
If I ran a towing company, my policy would be to drop the shaft, etc,
on every vehicle towed. It would eliminte mistakes and possibly save a
law suit.
CR
Carl Elliott wrote:
>
> When we tow large Vehicles we pull the rear axels, The trannys turn while
>being
> towed heating the fluids, With the engine not running the coolers are not
> effective, You stand the chance of a fire, as the fluid over heats.
> This is almost always with auto trans Vehicles, But we do it with standard
>shift
> also just being safe. Carl E. Undo drive shaft at rear end or remove
>alltogeather
> foe safety.
>
> Joe Short wrote:
>
> > A friend and I had an interesting experience once while towing his old
>Mustang
> > with the drive shaft connected. The trans caught fire. I guess that supports
> > the lubrication theory.
> >
> > >===== Original Message From Phil Vanner <pvanner@pclink.com> =====
> > >Excuse me, but I think I'll drop off the list until the dust settles. I'll
> > >be back to converse with the survivors in a week or so.
> > >
> > >No, seriously George, this was an issue of much contention a few months ago
> > >on the list. The "drop the driveshaft" theory holds that the input shaft
> > >must be turning (driven by the engine) for the tranny internals to get
> > >proper lubrication. if the driveshaft isn't connected the tranny guts don't
> > >spin and you have no problem. The "don't waste your time" theory holds
> > >that no one has ever proven that you need to do this to avoid damage and
> > >challenged the list to come up with one example of a ruined tranny from
> > >towing with the driveshaft connected. No one seemed to able to prove
> > >anything.
> > >
> > >You absolutely cannot hurt your car by towing with the driveshaft
> > >disconnected, as long as you are certain that you have tied it up out of
> > >the way. That would be *certain.* It doesn't take very long to do, nor is
> > >it at all difficult.
> > >
> > >As for leaving it connected, as they say, no one has ever *proved* it
> > >ruined a transmission. Although the theory about lacking lubrication makes
> > >sense.
> > >
> > >Then there's always the trailer option.
> > >
> > >Phil Vanner
> > >Tow it? I prefer to drive mine myself.
> > >
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >From: Geroge D. Cobb Jr. [SMTP:gcobb@SPC.cc.tx.us]
> > >Sent: Thursday, April 15, 1999 2:48 PM
> > >To: MG List
> > >Subject: towing - dropping drive shaft?
> > >
> > >Hey list,
> > > I am moving some distance (550 miles) and am going to have to tow
>two
> > >MG's. I am going to move one early (verses have to move 4 cars at a
> > >time) and was going to use a tow dolly (two front wheels off ground with
> > >rear wheels on ground). The rental place told me I needed to drop the
> > >drive shaft. My question is WHY? Why does the drive shaft need to be
> > >dropped verses putting the thing in neutral? For give my ignorance if
> > >this is a dumb question.
> > >Thanks
> > >Don
> > >OfcCobb@AOL.com or gcobb@spc.cc.tx.us
> > >1980 MGB
> > >1977 MGB
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