Towing 4x4 on a car dolly ?

Itech · **Joined:** Mon May 30, 2011 4:41 pm **Posts:** 17

Hello,

I was looking at a CRD from a member here. I gave the down payment and will be picking it up this week. It is a CRD with 4x4. I already have some towing companies and have even looked at trailers. For the sake of time though, Can the CRD be towed with a dolly ( only two wheels off the ground) ?

It would be with an f150 with towing package.

I know its a big no no for almost any 4x4. Just thought I would ask.

nickademus · **Joined:** Mon May 09, 2011 2:15 pm **Posts:** 54

remove the rear driveshaft so you dont rip the transfercase gears apart.

TAHOE · **Posted:** Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:19 pm

nickademus wrote:

remove the rear driveshaft so you dont rip the transfercase gears apart.

I agree. Sometimes you can tow by putting transfer case into neutral, but I prefer to pull driveshaft. Maybe need to wrap tailshaft of TC with a baggy and duct tape it to keep fluid from coming out while you tow.

Grannysgoat · **Posted:** Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:48 pm

Well, I tow mine wheels down all the time and previously used a tow dolly.

Front wheels on the dolly, strap 'em down, put the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in park (or first if you have a standard transmission). Make sure you release the emergency brake and lock the neck on the tow dolly.

You can also check the manual to confirm.

infernicus · **Posted:** Tue Jun 14, 2011 5:55 pm

Just reposting whats on the JEEP Website. Do what you want to do with it, lol.
https://www.jeep.com//hostb/crossbrand/ ... opic=26817

Quote:

-Use the transfer case NEUTRAL position for recreational towing only.

-The transfer case NEUTRAL position disengages both the front driveshaft and rear driveshaft from the powertrain, and it will allow the vehicle to move even if the transmission is in PARK. The parking brake should always be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:19 am

Put the transfer case in neutral, tow.

sota · **Joined:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:44 pm **Posts:** 379

^^ this
is always why I figured people loved liberty's and wranglers as tow-behind-motor-home vehicles with all 4 rolling, because once you toss the transfer case into neutral you're good to roll. plus isn't the t-case lube pump driven off the rear output? so it's still circulating fluid in the t-case even with the engine off but with the wheels rolling.

Itech · **Joined:** Mon May 30, 2011 4:41 pm **Posts:** 17

So the first 2 posts had me thinking of canceling this idea. Now the last couple of posts have me confused again.
I have been working on chryslers since the Neon/ DSM days. Never on jeeps though.

Where can I verify this? Or Are you guys sharing personal experience?

papaindigo · **Posted:** Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:06 pm

I'll defer to those who have actually done this but wading thru the Owner's and Factory Service Manuals I've come to the conclusion Jeep went out of their way to make the information cryptic to be polite. As nearly as I can tell (see "e" copies of manuals in Sir Sam's NOOB guide) the 4X4 KJ (engine doesn't matter) cannot be towed with 2 wheels on the ground (e.g. if using a lift or dolly at one end of the vehicle the wheels at the other end need to be supported by tow dollies) per the FSM (see Towing section at the end of Section 0-Lubrication and Maintenance). Translation if any type of trailer device is being used to tow a 4X4 KJ it needs to be a full 4 wheel flat bed or all 4 wheels must be off the road. HOWEVER, per the Recreational Towing section of the Owner's manual (2005 pg 287) the 4X4 KJ can be towed with all 4 wheels on the ground using a tow bar if the transmission and transfer case are set per the Manual's instructions.

Grannysgoat · **Posted:** Wed Jun 15, 2011 2:42 pm

Personal experience for me. I have towed our Liberty behind our motorhome for at least 20,000 miles.

You can tow it on a dolly without removing the drive shaft. Just put the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in park or first gear for a manual and go.

Liberty's are the number Good Sam rated "toad" for a reason.

Itech · **Joined:** Mon May 30, 2011 4:41 pm **Posts:** 17

OK, Does it need a live battery or is the transfer case selection mechanical?

cerich · **Posted:** Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:11 pm

the liberty is a gtreat vehicle to tow, put in neutral on the tarnsfer case and tranny and go. There are many of them being towed daily behind RV's

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Wed Jun 15, 2011 9:09 pm

Itech wrote:

OK, Does it need a live battery or is the transfer case selection mechanical?

Transfer case sleection is manual. I sometimes helps to get it to shift with the Jeep moving or transmission in neutral(since it uses a cable and not a direct shifter it puts pressure on the shift level to shift until it engages the gear/selection which doesn't always happen if the vehicle is stationary.

Itech · **Joined:** Mon May 30, 2011 4:41 pm **Posts:** 17

OK, Thank you all for this help! I hope it also helps others in the Future. I look forward to contributing myself.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:08 am

Itech wrote:

OK, Thank you all for this help! I hope it also helps others in the Future. I look forward to contributing myself.

Make sure to read the noob guide!

Towing 4x4 on a car dolly ?

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