View Full Version : towing a jeep
spanga
10-09-2006, 07:02 PM
jeep liberty 4x4...want to tow with car dolly.....transfer case in neutral and should be good to go?
spanga
10-10-2006, 01:26 AM
automatic transmission
dont' know for sure if it is neccessary but when towing automatic I always remove the drive shaft to be safe nothing happens to my tranny...like I said may not need to, but I do.....since your is a 4x4 I would only remove the rear shaft and dolly on the front....
Bandit5906
10-10-2006, 04:13 AM
How do you keep it from loosing most of the fluid?
Dolly front wheels, transfer case in neutral, do not exceed 45mph and tow a minimal distance. How far do you have to go, BTW?
What you don't want to do is have the driveshaft(s) spinning and the torque converter not spinning. The fluid pump is driven off of the torque converter so if it's not spinnin (engine running), nothing else should be.
If you have manual locking front hubs, you can unlock them and dolly the rear wheels. Be sure to have the steering wheel locked.
If you have automatic front hubs, you still might be able to tow this way. Just dolly the rear and have someone pull you a little ways while you watch the driveshaft. If it is not turning, then you should be GTG.
boobookitty
10-10-2006, 04:47 AM
If you take off at unversil joints no fluid lost. Differantal still sealed a few quarts of tranny fluid alot cheaper then a tranny. That is the only way to tow for distance. in the summer when there is no need for 4 wheel best to do on front end to save gas millage and transfer case.
spanga
10-10-2006, 05:18 AM
thanx for the responses....maybe i should clarify....transmision automatic....transfer case manual (ish?).....owners manual says ok for flat towing with tranny in park and tcase in neutral.....just wondering if ok to have rear wheels turning but not front......hubs always locked on liberty so rear shaft turning but front one not at transfer case.....which would only ever happen in dolly like towing (or spinning rear tires)
satman4928
10-10-2006, 06:16 AM
put transmision in neutral, put transfer case into neutral then put transmision in park (all while car is running) you should hear a god awful grinding sound when the transmision is put into park, this is normal. this is the proper way or the transfer case might not fully disengage!
BirdieMod
10-10-2006, 07:17 AM
Depends how far you are towing.
100 miles or less fine, Over 100 I would tow it from the rear axle on the dolly, Your front hubs are electronic and will not engage so the front driveshaft will not spin. Rear axle will spin the driveshaft and like posted will spin the transfer case output side which really should not hurt anything and transfercase in n shouldn't spin the output of the tranny but best to play it safe.
when I take the driveshaft of it does not loose any fluid....the seal should still retain it.....although this was my procedure on a non 4x4...do not know if a 4x4 tranfer case will leak if this is done.......and you can not only remove the u-joints as the tranny yolke for the shaft may fall of.........again I am not vrey experienced with 4x4 transfer cases so the yoke may stay put if only u-joints removed....
foxx1600
10-10-2006, 07:51 AM
yes if yer transfer case has a nutral you should be safe to tow as the transmission wont be turning.. many newer vehicals dont have a nutral in the transfercass.
Twostep
10-10-2006, 08:00 AM
Jeep Liberty 4X4 OK to tow as you suggest. Not a problem.:) Don't try with a 4X2, however.
emtaE
10-10-2006, 08:48 AM
I don't know if this helps you. I had a Jeep CJ5 That I used to tow behind a 34' motor home. I used a tow hitch so all four wheels were on the ground. I would unlock the steering wheel, put the trans in neutral (standard) put the transfer case in neutral, and remove the rear drive shaft. I towed it on 4 hr trips and no problems.
spanga
10-10-2006, 08:59 AM
put transmision in neutral, put transfer case into neutral then put transmision in park (all while car is running) you should hear a god awful grinding sound when the transmision is put into park, this is normal. this is the proper way or the transfer case might not fully disengage!not sure about "god awful", but it sure as hell clunks when going into park...so definitely disengaged......the tranny takes different fluid than the tcase so separation is total.....good to go there......will check about electronic lock on front hubs..get vehicle rolling in 2 wheel drive and watch the front drive shaft i guess.....i thought they were always locked in..hope not cause then i can dolly tow for sure....good info guys..thanks a batch....
spanga
10-10-2006, 09:09 AM
I don't know if this helps you. I had a Jeep CJ5 That I used to tow behind a 34' motor home. I used a tow hitch so all four wheels were on the ground. I would unlock the steering wheel, put the trans in neutral (standard) put the transfer case in neutral, and remove the rear drive shaft. I towed it on 4 hr trips and no problems.ya, i used to tow my bronco like that all the time...no sweat....it's just that i have the dolly and would like to avoid the cost of a base plate and towbar if i can...like i said the manual says i can flat tow but from the sounds of things i should be alright with the dolly.... i think i'll be ok....from okanagan to the island......probably give her a short test run and see if the tcase heats up at all....still under warranty ;)
cold iron
10-10-2006, 03:12 PM
If you put the tranfer case in neutral and the tranny in park, that's all you need to do... All 4 wheels on the ground, no dolly needed. Make sure you have to steering lock off, ( turn key one click back from run.) I pull one like this everyday.
Cookybaby
10-10-2006, 04:01 PM
Cold Iron hit the nail on the head!!!
My dad bought a Jeep to tow behind his motorhome. Jeeps are designed to be pulled or towed like this. He pulls his 4x4 Jeep Cherokee all over the country. He went to Mexico and Alaska last year and has never had any problems with the Jeep. I just called him and here is what he does when pulling his jeep with a tow bar.
Step 1: Put transmission and Tranfer case in Neutral with engine running.
Step 2: turn engine off until the key stops (key wont go all the back to lock position, key will now be in tow position).
Step 3: Put the transmission in Park.
He says that by doing it this way you make sure that the igniton switch is in the Tow position.
The final outcome is:
Transmission is Park, Transfer case is in Neutral, ignition switch is in Tow position.
Make sure the emergency brake is off!!
spanga
11-08-2006, 08:54 PM
just an update......turns out my motorhome is spec'ed to tow only 3500lbs....liberty->4400 lbs curb weight.....so i dollied the wife's car....altima @ 3030 lbs front wheel drive....all went well...got out of okanagan while weather good......mechanic said jeep's front hubs always locked in so still not sure if dolly towing would have worked out...found info for jeep with big X thru a picture of tow truck towing with front end in air so i guess that dollying not a good idea....for sure flat towing approved....cheers and thanks for the replies
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