I saw a car being towed today

"TurboSloth" (TheTurboSloth)
07/23/2014 at 00:08 • Filed to: None

Not this exact picture. But it was a RWD car (porsche 924 I think it was). Do you just put it in neutral, and then drive along as if this was a trailer? Or do you have to disconnect the drivetrain as well. Also, if I wanted to transport a car this way, would my parents' Jeep Liberty be able to tow a car (Like a 240z)?

DISCUSSION (14)

E30Joe drives a Subaru > TurboSloth
07/23/2014 at 00:11

It's a good idea to remove the driveshaft. If you can tow it by the non driven wheels.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > TurboSloth
07/23/2014 at 00:26

Towing a car on four wheels can not only harm the drivetrain, but possibly wear the wheel bearings and steering, as presumably the front wheels would have to be locked directly forward with the steering wheel lock. turning a towed car that is on all four wheels with the steering locked forward will have to drag the tires of the towed car sideways to turn. Without the steering locked, the towed car would weave all over the place, and be unstable.

Theoretically, leaving the towed car's transmission in neutral on any 2WD car, should disconnect the layshaft of the transmission, and the down-stream drivetrain should free-spin, without being connected to the engine and transmission input shaft. That should allow for short distance towing.

However, don't do that with an AWD car that can't disconnect hubs or axles. Trying to force two conjoined axles to rotate at different speeds can be an issue, and can wear out the center differential mechanism. AWD cars are best-bet four-wheels-up trailered or flat-bed towed, to be sure.

But the best method for long-distance or consistent towing, is to use a trailer with free-wheeling wheels, and no steering mechanism, or at the least, a car dolly to get the driven wheels of the towed car off the ground.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > TurboSloth
07/23/2014 at 00:29

If you can't tow a car on a full trailer you'd be better off with a tow dolly like below.

As far as Jeep Liberty towing, it depends on which generation. The 1st gens were good for 3500 lbs and the current models are only good for 2000 lbs.

Kinja'd!!!

Dsscats > TurboSloth
07/23/2014 at 01:10

Fun fact: If you flat tow a 300ZX auto, the transmission WILL overheat and require a rebuild..

BoulderZ > TurboSloth
07/23/2014 at 01:17

Another Z guy at our track uses a diesel Liberty to tow his 240Z out for hot lap days. However, I don't know what year Liberty, or if he's done anything to it, and he uses a full trailer for the Z. Yes, on an S30 Z you should disconnect the driveshaft for flat/drive wheels down towing, but you'll also need to then cap the transmission tail or all the gear oil drains out. A trailer's really the better way to go, though.

Ferrero1911 > Dsscats
07/23/2014 at 01:17

whoa, is that what happened to you?

Dsscats > Ferrero1911
07/23/2014 at 01:38

I so doubt it. The tranny crapped out 1000 miles after I bought it though, so maybe. It probably would have happened immediately though.

So yeah, no.

I still think it's sketchy how soon it happened after I bought it.

Ferrero1911 > Dsscats
07/23/2014 at 01:54

Yeah, it's sketchy that it needed a rebuild at all considering how low mileage your car is.

Dsscats > Ferrero1911
07/23/2014 at 01:56

Exactly my thought. Hopefully once I get the tire fixed it'll be better than ever. Will you be able to join us this Sunday? If you are interested, we're meeting in the CVS parking lot at Laurel Canyon and Ventura at 11 AM

Ferrero1911 > Dsscats
07/23/2014 at 02:24

I'm not sure if I'll be able to make it yet.

XJDano > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
07/23/2014 at 06:04

the steering wheel gets unlocked so that the front tires turn.

hedbutter > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
07/23/2014 at 07:59

That's not completely right for the 2nd gen. With the towing package, they can tow up to 5000lbs. I know that without the package, it was lower, but with it they could get up to 5000.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > hedbutter
07/23/2014 at 19:59

you're right, looks like I was reading from a typo :P

hedbutter > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
07/24/2014 at 07:55

No problem! Just wanted to let OP that he should be OK if he has the towing package