1st Gen Durango 1998 - 2003 Durango's

qustion about towing

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  #11  
Old 03-16-2010, 11:10 PM
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Originally Posted by 45AutoPete
Remove both front and rear driveshafts if it is being towed with all 4 wheels on the ground. If the front is raised and the rear is on the ground, just remove the rear driveshaft. Most people will say that you can just put the transfer case in neutral and tow but that is not what I would do, how would the bearings get lubed if the internal parts of the transfer case is not moving around to sling the oil onto the bearings? Just play it safe and remove as mentioned.
+1

Even my owners manual states THE VEHICLE MUST BE TOWED WITH WHEELS OFF THE GROUND!

I had to pay a tow truck driver for a flat bed to tow mine over 300 miles 1 way because of this. You CANNOT tow with the wheels on the ground as the transfer case and trans will not be lubricated, however you CAN remove the drive shafts (right off the transfer case both sides) and the axles will lubricate so don't worry about them. Mark them and the reconnect ends on the yokes and drive shaft ends so they can be installed it the same place.

Your best bet is to get a flat bed trailer and tow it.
 
  #12  
Old 03-16-2010, 11:41 PM
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Thankyou for all the info, I removed front and rear driveshafts this afternoon. (Flatbed is completely out of the question, or I would have done that in the first place, 600 miles =arm+leg)
 
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Old 03-17-2010, 12:04 AM
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Thank you hydrashocker for clearing up an issue that I have been trying to get the point across from seeing burnt up transmissions in vehicles towed for even 50 miles down the road. We should make this a sticky so others will know.
 
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Old 03-17-2010, 12:32 AM
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HS, what of short hauls? Like around town, 10 or 20 miles?

IndyD
 
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Old 03-17-2010, 07:29 AM
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Originally Posted by 45AutoPete
Ummm...she did say that it is shot so that procedure says to start the engine....I would still play it safe and disconnect the driveline esp. since she says the engine is shot, that is why I said to do that.
It was just a quote and as i mentioned that was auto shifter

DD as you have already removed the D-shafts you may want to go out and purchase some oil for the amount that may come out the seals.


To the other guys, before you contradict me and make false statements and excessive work for others please feel free to look into the operations of a NP231. You will notice the pump is ran via the tailshaft (main) and when in nuetral and trans in park the only active units are TC back, but what do i know, im just an offroad guy
 

Last edited by Duranged408; 03-17-2010 at 07:42 AM.
  #16  
Old 03-17-2010, 03:22 PM
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Duranged408, I am not contradicting you or making false statements. Hydrashocker is right in his statement with the owners manual. This is directly out of the manual. Evidently the Manufacturers are the ones making excessive work for others. I sure would hate for something to go wrong towing a vehicle 600 miles on the ground with driveshafts installed and if anyone here knows sh*t happens at the most inappropriate time.

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use of safety chains is recommended.
Attach towing device to main structural members
of the vehicle — not to bumpers or associated
brackets. State and local laws applying to vehicles
under tow must be observed.
Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
off the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle
on a flatbed or with one end of the vehicle raised and the
opposite end on a towing dolly.
Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Provided that the transmission is operable, tow with the
transmission in Neutral and the ignition key in the OFF
position along with the front wheels raised and the rear
wheels on the ground. The speed must not exceed 30
mph (50 km/h) and the distance must not exceed 15
miles (25 km).
If the vehicle is to be towed more than 15 miles (25 km ),
it must be towed on a flatbed, or with the rear wheels
raised and the front wheels on the ground, or with the
front end raised and the rear wheels on a towing dolly.
 
  #17  
Old 03-17-2010, 10:55 PM
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^^ And there it is ^^


Originally Posted by IndyDurango
HS, what of short hauls? Like around town, 10 or 20 miles?

IndyD
Like it says, short hauls are ok like 15 miles but anything else should be off the ground. Most city break downs or whatever are usually only a $65 dollar fee and if you have insurance simply put it on your policy. I carry $100 tow on my policy for this reason even though I don't have a Durango anymore it's just piece of mind to call em and have em bring a flat bed.
 



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