Posted by MoparNorm on Monday, July 09, 2007 at 13:57:36 :
In Reply to: Re: Towing PW? posted by Kevin in Ohio on Monday, July 09, 2007 at 13:13:25 :
Drive line life is not the issue, but it is the cause of t-case failure.
Most iron cases can be placed in neutral and be just fine. In the late 70's to late to mid 90's manufacturers made a concerted effort to lighten the transfer cases to achieve better fuel economy. Because that meant lower lubrication levels (less rolling resistance and better fuel economy) some of the full time cases had oil pumps. With the case in neutral, the pumps didn't spin and the rear bearing was above the oil level. That bearing would last about 400 miles when the vehicle was flat towed, that prompted many to recommend removing the rear drive line to prevent t-case damage.
In newer vehicles the owner's manual states the towing procedure, follow that and you'll be fine. Jeep and Dodge, equipped with New Venture cases, have designed all newer vehicles to be flat towed with the transmission in neutral and the transfer case in gear, or the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in gear, so it is critical to check the owners manual for the correct procedure for these vehicles.
Some aftermarket suppliers have designed "impeller gears" so that the oil is splashed around during flat towing.
You'll see many, many, newer Jeeps flat towed behind motorhomes, they have no issues, the motorhomes are huge and there are a few brake kits out there that tie the hydraulic systems of the tow vehicle and the towed vehicle together, they are expensive, but hey, these guys have $800,000 motorhomes......
One of those systems on a WDX-WM would be sweet, but I'd rather have a trailer, if you damage the drive train, axle, wheel, etc., of a flat towed vehicle on the trail, you'll be hard pressed to flat tow it home.
Follow Ups: