scottt80

I need to tow a GSL-SE on a dolly for somewhere around 200 miles. I really don't want to have to disconnect the driveshaft as I'm probably going to be pushed for time anyways. How much of a risk is there with towing this way with the front wheels on the dolly? I've read that theres a chance the tranny might sieze up... any input on that? Seems like it wouldn't with it in nuetral. Would it help any to start it a couple of times during the trip and shift through the gears to lubricate it a bit?

Any tips or advice? I appreciate any input guys...

Midwest 7's

iTrader: (4)

it will be fine. dont worry about it.

85rotarypower

The tranny won't seize up. Thats impossible if there is proper fluid in the tranny, unless it was ready to go out anyway. Its recommended that you unhook the driveshaft, but not nessessary at all.

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

I use a dolly around town, trailer for road trips. It is recommenced that the driveshaft be removed. Even with the tranny in neutral, the gears will be throwing lube around the inside of the gear case. I have never heard of one seizing up from towing.

Hades12

I do it all the time and have not had a problem yet. I do use a trailer if I can get to it.

Rogue_Wulff

In nuetral, the gears are not spinning to sling the lube around. The countershaft (bottom of trans) is the one that actually slings the oil, and it only turns when the input shaft is turning.
I have seen a couple trans that have ruined the rear bearing and the front bearing on the the output shaft by towbaring/tow dolly, at highway speeds. Short distances are usually not an issue, but longer distances can be.
I recommend dropping the driveshaft, no matter how pressed for time. Takes far less time to drop the driveshaft, than to replace the trans..............

LongDuck

Dude, driveshaft removal is 4x12mm bolts, then sliding it out the tailshaft of the tranny.

Cheap insurance to take the 15 minutes to do this task, if you ask me.

scottt80

I have a larger trailer, but my truck likes the dolly better.

Hades12... I keep looking at your car... is it up above Rutherfordton? I may need to ride up and take a look at it. I'm going to Chattanooga Saturday and coming back to Columbus with this one. Gotta get a Cummins... it wouldn't mind the bigger trailer through the mountains.

Big_Ern

why don't you just put the rear wheels on the dolly and tow it backwards?


if you've noticed all good towing companies sling the drive axle

aussiesmg

iTrader: (1)

I towed my car from Dayton to Convoy, about 130 miles on a dolly with absolutely no problems, but beware of your clearance, when you lift one end, the other lowers towards the ground, be aware of kurbs, speedhumps etc.

Hades12

That is where it is at, I am around most weekends.


How are you going to Chattanooga? up 26 and then out 64, or Atlanta and up 75.


the hard part with the cummins is remembering that the car is back there. Look in the mirror "why the hell is that guy on my ***" OH yea thats my car.

Rogue_Wulff

It is illegal in many states to put a car on a dolly backwards. Even with a wrecker picking up a car from the rear, any loose parts in the steering can make the car tend to move around, in spite of the steering wheel being tied off.
Before the rollback (flatbed) wrecker became the most common type, I spent several years driving a tow truck. It was no fun getting ahold of an old pickup that had a worn out front end......

Hades12

Wag the dog.


Someone on here, maybe two years ago wrote about haveing one on backwards and the near miss with a Wall when it waged them.

Rogue_Wulff

Yep. They can get to the point that you cannot control the tow vehicle. Even when it outweighs the vehicle being towed.

greeddennis

I pulled my latest RX7 with a tow bar, and i hooked it up by means of not attaching it directly with a bolt to the frame of the car but by using the tow hooks on the front of the car and a couple U shaped shackles and it had a couple inches of play and man did it ever scare the **** out of me when turning in the city. Really have to be careful when pulling it around in the city, on the highway though it was nice rollin. By the way dont forget to release the E-Brake before you leave.
Happend to me, and the tire would only skid when i turned and i noticed it on some gravel, so i figured **** yea its got LSD, about 20- 30 km later i stopped at a gas station to fill up and i smelled burning and i felt around the back and sure enough i left the e-brake on, enough but not enough to lock them up on the straights or turns of pavement, I was pissed at myself for miles later.

And by the way I puilled it 250+ km and its fine (or so i think.... , I have to put a running engine in it yet, but I want to get parts clean and painted as well as the undercarraige cleaned up and coated before i throw it in.)

scottt80

I'm headed up 26 then on through Murphy on 64 going... I haven't been between Murphy and Chattanooga in years... depending on how the trip goes I might come back through Atlanta. I know that way is much, much flatter.

blazer1313

towed mine from Seattle down to Atlanta, Georgia on a dolly with the driveshaft in. Didn't want to drain the synthetic fluid out and replace it later. Ya I'm cheap and lazy. Just disconnected the speedo from behind the dash. During the trip I picked up something that bent my exhaust heat sheild on the 7 so when I went in reverse it made a horrible racket. Also the car is so narrow, at every gas station I would have to tighten down the drivers side strap constantly. Not to mention at night was very hard to see if she was still back there when there was lots of clunking...had to look for the side mirrors BTW-even though your steering is locked...mine seemed to steer anyways. BIG pain trying to back up. We'll see if my tranny locks up-hope not....:S

Hades12

Good dollys have a tray that turns so that the whole thing does not bind, and they say to never try to back one, I have found that you can back a little bit.

Check my pic above, the funny looking flags are from wallmart in the bike section. They look stupid but really help to find the rear.

scottt80

Made it home with it... came back through Atlanta... not good, but it beat going back through the mountains.

I'm exhausted, but happy to have a 7 to play with again....