Towing Question

[temps425]

Hey guys, im driving out Friday about 300 miles to buy an 88 Grand Wagoneer.

I have a Chev 2500 w/ 10,000lb hitch and a tow dolly without brakes.

The tow dolly has 2 options, 1 is to leave out a pin so the platform where the tires sit can swivel, or you can put the pin in and keep it stationary.

My question is, if I let the platform swivel, should I lock the steering?

Or can I unlock the steering and leave the platform locked in place?

Which is the best option here and what are some precautions for towing a heavy rig like this?

I've never towed before.

I heard the towing vehicle should outweight the towed vehicle by 750lb. I'm not sure what my 92 2500 weight is.

EDIT: OH, um i guess the GWAG is actually heavier than the 2500 :/ by 200lb

[AlsChopShop]

you will be just fine towing it with a 3/4 ton.

i would suggest leaving the pin unlocked and keeping the steering wheel unlocked (may have to leave the key in the ignition), that way it can swivel around turns. if you don't, it will bind up and put some stress on those wheels and axles.

i would pull the rear driveshaft on the jeep for that long of a trip.

Al

[Tigger4X]

Removing/disabling the rear driveshaft is good insurance no matter how many people say its no biggie; why chance it :confused:


I have used U-pull tow dollies and all I did was strap the front wheels into the buckets with the steering locked and let the hitch do the pivoting. IF you are going to encounter the need to u-turn then I would say unlock the pin to take off the stress, but if you are only encountering typical corners then just take 'em wide and you're golden.

[FSJ Guy]

DEFINITELY remove the rear drive shaft. Otherwise, you MUST put the t-case in neutral. But I'd feel much safer with the rear shaft removed. It's quick and easy and can save you from potentially killing your t-case.

[El_Diablo]

the swivel feature is mainly for loading and on most dollies is not designed to move at speed with the pin out, your hitch will swivel enough as is

[temps425]

the swivel feature is mainly for loading and on most dollies is not designed to move at speed with the pin out, your hitch will swivel enough as is

OK, so driveshaft out, Pin in (swivel feature locked), steering unlocked?

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

U-haul dollies dont have the option of pinning the table top...just a thought
Id unpin it and unlock the steering wheel

[El_Diablo]

lock steering and lock the pin, you want your hitch to do the swiveling

think about this, you get hard on the brakes and that hitch swings out to the right side of the tow vehicle, the vehicle being towed tries to go straight because the steeting is unlocked.... you just rear ended yourself, you could also have a jack knife issue under hard braking

the hitch is the only swivel portion you want

[Tigger4X]

X2!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[temps425]

OK, so when I take off the drive shaft, do I need to mark the direction that points down? I never understood why people did this. I also know I need to tape up the u joint caps so they dont fall off and spill little pin bearings all over.

EDIT: PS just got fresh trailer tires and an inspectoin from schwab so I hope all will be safe *FINGERS Crossed* First time long tow, im a little unnerved :/

[temps425]

U-haul dollies dont have the option of pinning the table top...just a thought
Id unpin it and unlock the steering wheel

lock steering and lock the pin, you want your hitch to do the swiveling

think about this, you get hard on the brakes and that hitch swings out to the right side of the tow vehicle, the vehicle being towed tries to go straight because the steeting is unlocked.... you just rear ended yourself, you could also have a jack knife issue under hard braking

the hitch is the only swivel portion you want

OK, I jus got confused again. More opinions please?

[AlsChopShop]

OK, so when I take off the drive shaft, do I need to mark the direction that points down? I never understood why people did this. I also know I need to tape up the u joint caps so they dont fall off and spill little pin bearings all over.

EDIT: PS just got fresh trailer tires and an inspectoin from schwab so I hope all will be safe *FINGERS Crossed* First time long tow, im a little unnerved :/i've never marked the position of a driveshaft, and never had a problem. tape around the u-joint would be a good idea.

i think el diablos scenario is pretty extreme. unless its super wet and slick and you are driving stupidly i don't see that as much of a possiblity. that said... if you are spending lots of time on the freeway, you could lock the turntable of the dolly without any ill effects, and it would prevent any of what he mentioned. but once you get off the freeway let that thing swivel. think about what happens when you turn, if the dolly and vehicle are a ridgid unit with no steering wheel turning and no dolly pivot you are fighting wheels that will only point straight forward. this puts a lot of stress on the vehicle and tow dolly.


remember to take it easy on hills, both up and down, and increase your stopping distance by 3x. your dolly probably doesn't have brakes so you are pretty loaded down on your tow rigs braking ability.

Al

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

Think about this...if the hitch is the only swivel point then you will be draggin the dolly tires around turns...Think of a wagon that doesnt swivel when trying to turn the handle.
Crude drawing:
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/maynard1992/towdolly.png

[swmpdonkey]

Definately remove the drive shaft, I tow for a living. And unless you are going a few miles please pull the shaft. Putting the tcase and tranny will not work. As the diff will still spin the shaft which WILL spin gears in the tranny. Since the front of the jeep will be slightly raised (on the dolly) all fluid in tranny will pool in the low spot, dry out the gears while spinning, and you will grenade the tranny, and or start a fire.

Also if it is an auto tranny do not start it with the shaft out unless you remove the yoke cause it will bang around in the tranny tunnel even if the jeep is in nuetral. (transmissuion will stil spin by it self in park or neutral)

Also if you leave the pin out on the dollies that is fine. It will be like pulling a quad trailer or wiggle wagon. It will bounce all over the road and sway back and fourth. But should pull fine. Just don't be to aggressive while turning or passing people. Backing up will be different as now you will have two articulation points.

[El_Diablo]

Think about this...if the hitch is the only swivel point then you will be draggin the dolly tires around turns...Think of a wagon that doesnt swivel when trying to turn the handle.
Crude drawing:sorry but that doesn't make sense at all... if you were "dragging the tires" boat trailers and all other trailers on the road would be double hinged


in the end its up to the user... i myself wouldn't bother leaving it unhitched as it will only make it more difficult to back up the towed vehicle and wont help all that much in the corners, the steering wheel of any towed vehicle should always be locked from what ive learned though

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

sorry but that doesn't make sense at all... if you were "dragging the tires" boat trailers and all other trailers on the road would be double hinged


in the end its up to the user... i myself wouldn't bother leaving it unhitched as it will only make it more difficult to back up the towed vehicle and wont help all that much in the corners, the steering wheel of any towed vehicle should always be locked from what ive learned though
But boat trailers have 2 wheels or 4 wheels right next to eachother so thats the swivel point. With 4 wheels on the ground that far apart, the forward wheels will drag in the turns. Again, think of a childs wagon if the front wheels didnt pivot.

[AlsChopShop]

But boat trailers have 2 wheels or 4 wheels right next to eachother so thats the swivel point. With 4 wheels on the ground that far apart, the forward wheels will drag in the turns. Again, think of a childs wagon if the front wheels didnt pivot.
yep, or a shopping cart with wheels that don't turn.


i'm tellin ya, lock it on the on-ramp to the freeway, and unlock it on the off-ramp. the best of all worlds.


Al

[El_Diablo]

i see what you're saying now, sorry bout that

ive never really noticed anything though, its all personal preference unless your dolly actually has towing guidelines

[temps425]

Also if it is an auto tranny do not start it with the shaft out unless you remove the yoke cause it will bang around in the tranny tunnel even if the jeep is in nuetral. (transmissuion will stil spin by it self in park or neutral)

Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley, I was so tired when I got back I jus put it in 4x4 and parked it w/o putting the driveshaft back in. What do I do now?

So, just FYI, the best results seemed to come with everything locked down, steering and swivel. I was able to drive around the streets and it was super stable and I was passing big rigs at 75mph.

I tested all the options. With the steering locked and swivel mount free, my tires wanted to pop outta the chain basket on the turing side. So I concluded either both locked or both free. I was too lazy to jump out and remove the pin and unlock the steering each time I went into a town :rolleyes:

Only scary thing was coming down outta the blue mts in E OR at 6% grade, and having some little car jump in front of me and slow down with people passing on the left. I wasnt slowin down anything fast and I wasnt chaning lanes :eek: :eek:

Anyway, got a cool Jeep. Couldnt get good pics from them, seller WAY mis-represented the condition. Was told "clean wagoneer", pics looked clean, seemed like a steal. I show up and the exterior is beat to heck-body damage all over, but the thing ran better than any wag ive ever driven so I still bought it. All rebuilt w/ edey top end and 3" exhaust to glass pack. Never had a wag lay rubber like this one. Interior is actaully really clean though. I'll post some pics. I overpaid but I didnt wanna come home empty handed. I think I have a problem :o:cool:

[HOOT]

Anyway, got a cool Jeep. Couldnt get good pics from them, seller WAY mis-represented the condition. Was told "clean wagoneer", pics looked clean, seemed like a steal. I show up and the exterior is beat to heck-body damage all over, Interior is actaully really clean though. I'll post some pics. I overpaid but I didnt wanna come home empty handed. I think I have a problem :o:cool:


Edited your post to reflect my experience.. You are not alone..;)

Glad the trip went well. I've had a few people jump in front of me loaded down. I've had the duals locking up as well as trailer brakes screaming trying to avoid some of the wonderful drivers out there.:eek: :banghead: Getting ready to do it again in the Appalachian mountains.:drivin: :fsj: :thumbsup:

[temps425]

Also if it is an auto tranny do not start it with the shaft out unless you remove the yoke cause it will bang around in the tranny tunnel even if the jeep is in nuetral. (transmissuion will stil spin by it self in park or neutral)

Hello, I drove my truck 50ft w/ no rear drive shaft. Is there some alignment that needs to be done now? Or do I just install the driveshaft and hope nothing was damaged? I'm very confused what problems may lie in doing this.

[HOOT]

Hello, I drove my truck 50ft w/ no rear drive shaft. Is there some alignment that needs to be done now? Or do I just install the driveshaft and hope nothing was damaged? I'm very confused what problems may lie in doing this.

Hook it up you should be fine. It's when you drive them like that the damage occurs. I doubt 50' is going to hurt anything,.

[smogdredd]

Pull the drieshaft or start saving fo a transfer case the select track case will be ruined and may lock up entirely even in neutral.

[HOOT]

Pull the drieshaft or start saving fo a transfer case the select track case will be ruined and may lock up entirely even in neutral.
Did you even read the whole post?

That looks like a sweet waggy in your avatar

[temps425]

Did you even read the whole post?

That looks like a sweet waggy in your avatar

Thanks! First one I ever owned and nicest I have ever seen since. 50k original miles always garaged. I sold it for 12k at one point to a guy in New York, then crashed it on the icy freeway in Spokane heading into the valley on my way to the Jeep dealer to drop it off for shipping pick up. True story.

[HOOT]

I was actually replying to smogdred and commenting on his 63 Wag. That red is flashy and for some reason I really like it. I seen one other bright red waggy of old and it struck me the same, only it wasn't as shiney :D

Back to your wag, sorry to hear about the crash. Must be a nice one as well for that price. I had a similar experience with a motorcycle. Back when 18, I was dealing with a local bike shop about trading in my Honda 400 for a used 500. My bike was immaculate but I wanted to go up to a 4 cylinder bike. After work that afternoon I took a different route home to go to the shop and seal the deal. I never made it and wasn't able to ride again for 7 months. My bike was splattered and scraped up bad. I had 10 broken bones, 15 stitches and a few pounds missing. I never got that 500, but a year later I got a brand spanking new Kaw 550.

[temps425]

I was actually replying to smogdred and commenting on his 63 Wag. That red is flashy and for some reason I really like it. I seen one other bright red waggy of old and it struck me the same, only it wasn't as shiney :D

Back to your wag, sorry to hear about the crash. Must be a nice one as well for that price. I had a similar experience with a motorcycle. Back when 18, I was dealing with a local bike shop about trading in my Honda 400 for a used 500. My bike was immaculate but I wanted to go up to a 4 cylinder bike. After work that afternoon I took a different route home to go to the shop and seal the deal. I never made it and wasn't able to ride again for 7 months. My bike was splattered and scraped up bad. I had 10 broken bones, 15 stitches and a few pounds missing. I never got that 500, but a year later I got a brand spanking new Kaw 550.

yowch!