Towing 4x4 the wrong way - Chances of Damage?

[Johnny Glenn]

Hello thanks for looking in -- I recently purchased an 04 4x4 w/ engine problems and had a tow company deliver it for me. I told them not to tow it but make sure to put it on a roll back because it's a 4x4. Well, they brought it on a dolly - front tires on the ground. What's the chances of transmission damage? I've heard you cannot transport a 4x4 that way. They towed it w/ the vehicle in park for 30 miles and they said it didn't drag at all so they thought it was OK. It's going to take a few days or week to get the Explorer running before I can find out if the transmission is damaged but just wanting to find out what's the likelihood of damages? Thanks.

 

[imp]

Hello thanks for looking in -- I recently purchased an 04 4x4 w/ engine problems and had a tow company deliver it for me. I told them not to tow it but make sure to put it on a roll back because it's a 4x4. Well, they brought it on a dolly - front tires on the ground. What's the chances of transmission damage? I've heard you cannot transport a 4x4 that way. They towed it w/ the vehicle in park for 30 miles and they said it didn't drag at all so they thought it was OK. It's going to take a few days or week to get the Explorer running before I can find out if the transmission is damaged but just wanting to find out what's the likelihood of damages? Thanks.

It will likely be all right if it is not an AWD, which you seemed to indicate. The '04 had "4X4 AUTO" which means the electronic clutch in the transfer case was not engaged, so long as the ignition was off, and the transfer case being self-lubricated should have been OK.

Basically, the system was working just like when normally driven, rear wheels driving the vehicle, front wheels simply causing the transfer case clutch to spin free, as is the case when front & rear wheels are turning at the same speed. Damage to the transmission occurs if towed on rear wheels, in neutral, since the trans is not self-lubricating when the engine is off. imp

 

[Johnny Glenn]

Thanks for the info -- I've read in the past the only way to haul these 4x4s is to disconnect the front differential but I'm glad to hear it's not required. Thanks again.

 

[pjohnson1980]

I was told the Auto 4X4 was 90% FRONT wheel drive/10% rear wheel drive. when it senses the need, goes full 50/50. So it would have needed it's back wheels on the ground like a front wheel drive vehicle.

 

[Blee1099]

When you say they had it on a dolly, are you referring to a wrecker's boom lift like this?

or something like this?

If its the latter than thats fine. If they had the wheels directly on the ground I'd be checking the differential..