Thread: Help,Using a Tow Dolly

Tweet

This would be my first using a Demco Tow Dolly, heres the problem, does anyone know if a 1965 Barracuda is towed with the automatic in neutral or does the u-joint/driveshaft need to be taken out to prevent damage.

Thanks,

Anytime a vehicle with an auto trans is towed with the rear wheels on the ground the driveshaft needs to be dropped or you will be rebuilding the trans.

NTFDAY is correct. Reason being the pump that pushes lubricant through the transmission is driven off the input shaft. If the transmission is turning, even in nuetral, without the motor running your lubricated surfaces will dry out and burn up.

If you are only towing a short distance, you can stop every few minutes and run the motor, or even leave the motor running in nuetral. Another alternative, if it will fit ok is to put the rear wheels on the dolly and tie down the steering wheel so the front weels stay straight. If you notice that is what most tow truck drivers do when towing a rear wheel drive car.

If you do disconnect the drive shaft be sure to leave a yoke in the tranny tail shaft so fluid doesn't drain out. Either find an extra one, or leave the drive shaft in and tape up the rear U-Joint so you don't lose the caps and wire it up out of the way.

Have a safe trip

Pat

You can also go to pep boys or autozone, they have a cap that seals the tranny at the out put yoke hole so you dont leak that was it cheaper than keepin an extra yoke around.

Otto

Also make sure you use the safety chains along with the wheel straps, to hold the car down.

I just made a run to New Hampshire from Michigan to pick up an Ebay car. The roads are so bad in NH and Mass. that they shook the tire belts off the wheels, twice! And I had those babies ratcheted down! Tires squashed!. The only thing that kept the car on the dolly was the safety chains. And I thought Michigan had terrible roads!!!!

See if you can rent a car trailer that keeps all 4 wheels off the ground. Its easier then taking the car apart to tow it then having to put it back together

I agree with MoparJay. It's alot easier to put the whole car on a trailer. Then it tows better and you don't have that whipping affect and you can back up if you need too. You can back with a car dolly but it is very hard. Listen I drive trucks for a living I hold a Class A CDL with Doubles and Triples. Backing a car dolly is a capital pain in the butt. The car in tow goes one way the dolly another way and very quickley. Then if you drop a bearing trying to disconnect the driveline. Then you have to clean all the little bearings or replace the U joint. save your self some trouble. trailer it. I've got a dolly but only for short trips around town. And it's real squirley at highway speeds.


~ Vegas ~