Towing question

[dave`12]

I'm going to use a tow dolly to tow my 1967 c10 with a 4-speed manual tranny 170 miles.

Uhaul said I have to remove the drive shaft. I'm thinking neutral would suffice?

If I do remove it, would the fluid come out of the tranny?

Please don't guess with any reply - I can't afford to mess up the truck

thanx

[gmc684x4]

My understanding is remove the drive shaft as the transmission is not built to lubricate its self from the driveshaft is the reason to remove it

[Keith Seymore]

The 4 speed manual trans lubricates by splash from the gears and therefore would be ok.

An automatic trans that lubricates via a front pump when the engine is running would burn itself up when towing. In this case you would remove the shaft or, if you have room, unhook it from the axle but leave it in the trans (as a plug) and strap it off to one side.

K

[truckster]

2WD manual you're fine. 4WD manual or automatic you should remove the driveshaft.

[dave`12]

thank you truckster and keith, that is what I thought!

[jabborabbo]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

The 4 speed manual trans lubricates by splash from the gears and therefore would be ok.

An automatic trans that lubricates via a front pump when the engine is running would burn itself up when towing. In this case you would remove the shaft or, if you have room, unhook it from the axle but leave it in the trans (as a plug) and strap it off to one side.

K

This ^^^^^^^^

[mr48chev]

I'm going to say that the person who wrote the instructions for U haul for rear wheel drives either assumed that all rear wheel drive rigs are automatic or just figured that It won't hurt anything if people do remove the driveshaft on a manual rig.

[Bigdav160]

The manual trans has the same issue that the automatic does. When in neutral the only thing that would be spinning is the main shaft. A manual is splash lubed when the cluster/counter gear is spinning. In neutral it doesn't spin.

[burnin oil]

All the 4spd I have been around had a rear yoke although there is probably some application for a slip yoke. Just pull the shaft and be on the safe side. Thats alot of RPM on the needle bearings at the input shaft.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by truckster

2WD manual you're fine. 4WD manual or automatic you should remove the driveshaft.

Wouldn't that be depending on the type of 4wd? Full time remove the shaft but lots of 4x4s are towed 4 down and on tow dollies if you have a manual transfer case with neutral. Towed my 87 burban behind a motorhome all the time. Only mod I made was to put manual lockouts on the front axles.

Ps you also need to leave the key on and disconnect the battery so the front wheels track on turns

[Bigdav160]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

Wouldn't that be depending on the type of 4wd? Full time remove the shaft but lots of 4x4s are towed 4 down and on tow dollies if you have a manual transfer case with neutral. Towed my 87 burban behind a motorhome all the time. Only mod I made was to put manual lockouts on the front axles.

Ps you also need to leave the key on and disconnect the battery so the front wheels track on turns

Yes, many transfer cases have an output shaft oil pump or slinger so the vehicle can be dingy towed.

[dave`12]

Problem solved, I decided to use a drive on trailer, only a few bucks more

thanx for all the replies.

[HO455]

Money well spent especially if you are going to have to back up for any distance. Backing a tow dolly, with a tow vehicle that has a wheel base longer than a Blazer, is very difficult at best.