RV Pulling The Ol' W116 - Is It OK?
 

Is it OK for me to pull my '80 300SD automatic transmission with the 2 front wheels up on a dolly and the 2 rear wheels on the road? I've heard yes and no. Even a dealer wasn't sure. Someone said to tow it backwards with the 2 front wheels on the road and the 2 rear wheels up on my dolly. I'd like to hear some suggestions from the group. Ah yes, Arizona in the winter!

Bert - NH :laugh2:

rear wheels on the dolly, steer tires on the ground.

Same as Diesel4me
Rear wheels off the ground!!

that all depends on wether you want to replace the tranny or not...
I would keep the drive wheels off the ground...

Hey VSTECH - I know you're a slow learner, but I'd rather not replace the tranny!

rear on the dolly, lock the steering wheel and tie the steering wheel with a rope. I've towed a half dozen cars this way. works great.

Best off 4-up on/in a trailer. Towing is allowed 4-down for up to 120miles under 30mph according to my manual.

A friend of mine tows his 240D 4-down with a driveshaft disconnect, REMCO sells them www.remcotowing.com and a driveshaft shop can install it.

Personally, I've towed cars behind my BlueBirds through 39 states and Mexico, a dolly would be my last choice. If you want the convenience of no trailer, skip the complexity, risks, and weight of the dolly and get a driveshaft disconnect and decent towbar. Towing backwards doesn't work well with the alignment, will wear the front tires out faster. If you want the protection of wheels up, I like a nice enclosed trailer to keep other toys in, ... or you can go with an open trailer. I've towed both with an enclosed trailer and 4-down and they both have their advantages, depending on what you tow with and what you're towing.

- Jeff
190DT and projects

All wheels off the ground is best. Driveshaft disconnect is 2nd best. You'll wish you had the full trailer when you find yourself under the car disconnecting or reconnection the driveshaft during bad weather.

The problem with the rear wheels down is you are not pumping transmission fluid while the rear wheels are turning the transmission gearing through the drive shaft. After a while you will burn up the gears. If you get stuck having to use the rear wheel down towing you might want to consider stopping every once in a while and starting up the towed vehicle to circulate some fluid.

Or tow with the car idling.

Well here's the story. I did start on my trip to AZ towing my W116 backwards, with the rear wheels on the tow dolly and the front wheels down on the road. I got 40 miles and turned around. What a mess!. Its almost impossible to get the front wheels locked by the steering column in a straight alignment. Hit 60 MPH and the thing starts starts to wander all over. Very stressful and dangerous. I tried several times to unlock the steering column and readjust the wheel, but the locks on the steering column are only every 70 degrees or so - not small enough that you can try to correct it. I know someone will mention having the steering wheel tied so it would not spin if the column lock broke - I did. I used the seatbelt and it worked fine. Actually adjusting the position of the seat allowed me to tighten the belt nicely around the steering wheel.
Anyway, I think the moral of the story is only tow in this manner if for short distances and at non-highway speeds. Off to Yuma (I hope!). :o

all wheels off ground
 

down the road here in Lee NH i own 3 16 foot dual axle trailers wanna buy one?

The driveshaft disconnects are splined assemblies that you operate from inside the car via a cable.

- Jeff
'87 190Dt
'87 300Dt

No keep the rear wheels off the ground or you will blow the trans. Towing with all four wheels off the ground is best.