more likely that would just spin the engine. There were some photos floating around a couple years ago where someone did it to a JK or a JL that was in low range and it just spun the motor until the whole drivetrain completely exploded.
Flat tow disaster
- Thread starter TahoeJohnny
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more likely that would just spin the engine. There were some photos floating around a couple years ago where someone did it to a JK or a JL that was in low range and it just spun the motor until the whole drivetrain completely exploded.
I’ve got 30K miles flat towing mine without issue. It does have a cable shifter on the TC. Friends of ours had their TJ 231 TC drop into gear while towing and destroyed itself. They had the OEM shifter mechanism.
Last year my front driveshaft DC started chirping while I was out in AZ. So that could have been a disaster had it happened flat towing.
I have thought about putting it on an aluminum trailer in the future. Likely get better mileage on the motorhome, you can back up a trailer, save wear on the TJ drivetrain and tires.
^^ This.
I have been flat towing jeeps since the mid 1960's. Every one has had manual front hubs, including my LJ.
Back in the day, before big engines and big tires and lockers, there were kits to convert the rear axles on CJs to full floaters in order to add Warn hubs or interchangeable smooth and splined drive flanges so that nothing in the drivetrain would spin during flat towing.
For sure probably because you have no warning,if I was in California I would be having @mrblaine install lock out hubs,I think it would maybe help the mileage a little too?we drive across country in a 32rh 4.56 (I know glutton for punishment)lol-jeff
That is so anomalous and a so far out there outlier as to not even enter into this.
When I moved from the West Coast to the East Coast several years ago I was debating the flat towing VS trailering for 2500 miles.
Asked quite a few people who towed Jeeps to and from off roading events VS trailering them and I opted for renting the trailer so I would not have any worries about what might happen to the Jeep during the trip across.
Asked quite a few people who towed Jeeps to and from off roading events VS trailering them and I opted for renting the trailer so I would not have any worries about what might happen to the Jeep during the trip across.
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not sure i follow your point. The question was posed as to whether leaving it in gear or slipping into gear would explode the transfer case, and I provided thoughts along with an "anomalous outlier" to demonstrate that the driveshaft just spins the engine like you're coasting, until internal damage is done due to the lack of lubrication. Ergo, the issue at hand is more likely a failed CV joint than a slip into gear.
I used to flat tow my YJ. Not sure about TJs but on my YJ it still racked up miles on the YJ. About 20K worth. Also on long trips the battery would drain because the key was on to release the lock.
By the time you pay for a good tow bar, wiring and aux brake it’s not much more to buy a trailer which will have other uses. The problem is most people don’t have room to store a trailer. I have several in my storage lot that pay me $125 a month. As with everything pertaining to wranglers there’s always a trade off and more money to be spent.
By the time you pay for a good tow bar, wiring and aux brake it’s not much more to buy a trailer which will have other uses. The problem is most people don’t have room to store a trailer. I have several in my storage lot that pay me $125 a month. As with everything pertaining to wranglers there’s always a trade off and more money to be spent.
Cable speedo YJs (91 and older) racked up miles. 92+ started the electronic speed sensor that both YJ and TJ use which did not rack up miles because you don’t turn the key far enough for the speedo to work.
Key shouldn’t have been on far enough to drain the battery, should only be on one tiny click to release the lock. At least on a YJ.
I would agree that a trailer is a better choice if planning to move the jeep around a bunch. I’ve dolly towed a few times with t-case in neutral but it always makes me nervous because of the horror stories.
Warn sold those kits up into the early 2000's too. I had the small Warn hubs front & rear when I still had the Dana 35. Wasn't as strong as a Super 35 but when I got my TJ it was the only game in town. Had a Detroit locker in the rear too.
I don't know but the blowing up part isn't the relevant part of what I was saying. It's that the transfer case, if in gear, just sends the torque on upstream.
That was a dramatic photo. Towing behind a Class A motorhome. They never felt the engine, trans case everything shattering.
I think it could easily happen in 4 LO. Thats what happened to the JL.
You think better mileage towing a trailer with Jeep rather than just the same Jeep? I know there is less stuff spinning but more weight.