Urgent help needed - How to tow 4x4?

[Johnny Glenn]

Thanks for looking in - I've got a friend trying to tow an 03 4x4 w/ a tow dolly roght now. He put the front tires on the dolly, put it in nuetral, and the back tires are grabbing. Would it do the same if loaded backwards or would it work by dis-engaging the 4x4 control module? Thanks

 

[Sogsnakebite]

all 4 wheels have to be off the ground on a 4x4 at the very least id remove the driveshafts

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Thanks for looking in - I've got a friend trying to tow an 03 4x4 w/ a tow dolly roght now. He put the front tires on the dolly, put it in nuetral, and the back tires are grabbing. Would it do the same if loaded backwards or would it work by dis-engaging the 4x4 control module? Thanks

He needs to pull the rear drive shaft. You can't tow an automatic by just putting in neutral. He will fry the tranny if he tows it very far.

 

[Johnny Glenn]

Urgent help needed - How to tow 4x4 w/ tow dolly?

Thanks for looking in - I've got a friend trying to tow an 03 4x4 w/ a tow dolly right now. He put the front tires on the dolly, put it in nuetral, and the back tires are grabbing. Would it do the same if loaded backwards or would it work by dis-engaging the 4x4 control module? Thanks

 

[IZwack]

Remove the rear driveshaft for the tow.

 

[jay15857]

I agree, remove the driveshaft

 

[Johnny Glenn]

Thanks -- He can't remove driveshaft, doesn't have tools - he went to pick it up out-of-state! No other way will work? Disengage 4x4 control module?

 

[Johnny Glenn]

Thanks - he went out-of-state to pick it up, he doesn't have any tools to remove driveshaft. No other way will work? - pulling out the 4x4 control module?

 

[IZwack]

No, its all mechanical if its already dragging. I'd ask him to go to a local hardware store and get some cheap tools in order to remove the rear driveshaft. I'm not 100% sure what size the bolts are on a 3rd gen, but typically you'll need a 12-point 12mm socket (1/2" drive usually) on the 1st and 2nd gens. And really, he doesnt have to remove the entire driveshaft per se -- just disconnect the section that bolts to the rear axle and tie it (with bungee cords or something) out of the way so that the driveshaft doesnt fall / slip out and doesnt rub against the rear driveshaft's input flange.

 

[Sogsnakebite]

dont do it , remove driveshafts or suspend all 4 wheels

 

[Johnny Glenn]

Thanks guys for the quick help and responses!

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Thanks - he went out-of-state to pick it up, he doesn't have any tools to remove driveshaft. No other way will work? - pulling out the 4x4 control module?

No pulling the 4wd module will not resolve the problem. Since he has no tools (which is foolish in the first place) he needs to rent a trailer some where or pay a shop to remove the drive shat(s)

 

[IZwack]

And why did you post this in two different forums?

Threads merged.

 

[Johnny Glenn]

Thanks again for the help -- just wanted to ask for future reference if a 2WD can be towed in nuetral or do you have to tow it backwards?

 

[Dan Whitaker]

If it's an automatic you would have to tow it backwards or remove the drive shaft. The bad thing about towing backwards is if the wheels are not exactly straight it will crab on you. Not good for you or people in the other lane(s).