Towing Advice?

[Stevo]

I found a 240D cheap over in eastern Wa (275+-mls away). It has minor front end damage but a strong engine. I have towed with this dolly before but this car has an automatic. I figure there are a couple of options 1) disconnect the rear flex coupling and "wire" up the back half of the drive shaft.... Is this a big deal? 2) Tow it backwards .... Will the weight of the engine back there be a problem as far as the tow wanting to "get a little wild" My truck is a 3/4 ton an old but in good shape. I will leave tomorrow morning if it doesn't snow in the pass and the creeks don't rise (Thur) Thanks

Have a good day all

[Ken300D]

There was a thread here not long ago about loading backwards on a tow dolly. I'll see if I can link it in here for you to read.

What I would do is run the car up forwards on the tow dolly, strap it down good, and then take off the back section of the driveshaft totally.

In saying this, I recognize that the driveshaft is not all that easy to remove. First of all, you have to have some correct-size slipjoint pliars to loosen the locknut on the driveshaft that holds the two sections together. Then you have to mark the two sections carefully so you can put the driveshaft back on EXACTLY the way it came off, You don't want to be off even one spline tooth. You'd have to drop the center bearing (two bolts) and remove three of the rear flex disk bolts. And you'd need a good sized pry bar or heavy screwdriver to then pry the driveshaft forward to clear the rear yoke on the differential. Finally, some place suitable for storing the driveshaft during the trip. Don't let it bang around in a truck bed - tie it down somehow.

Don't know if there's room to just disconnect the driveshaft at the yoke and tie it out of the way. You'd still have to loosen the big locknut and take off some flex disk bolts.

And, I suppose an alternative approach is to take off the half axle shafts.

Let me find you that towing thread.....

Ken300D

[Ken300D]

Say "Hi" to my newest diesel

OK - here is Diesel Don's account of tow dolly towing.

He was able to just tie the driveshaft out of the way. That's what I'd do also.

Ken300D

[Stevo]

Ken

Thanks for the thread. Hummm sounds like a pain to disconnect that flex joint. I have done a front but not the rear.
slipjoint pliars would by like '"water pump" pliars with adjustable jaws? I have several sizes of those. I think at this point I might try towing backwards as maybe the 240 will be better as its lighter than what Don towed, most likly wont work and I'll have to stop and end for end it If I have to remove the flex coupling I will mark it well and wire up the D shaft. Thanks for the help.

[TimFreeh]

I have never towed a car "backwards" with a tow dolly but I can tell you I have tried to tow cars on a 2 axle car trailer "backwards" and it does not work at all - very scary experience and I have a nice car trailer with a Dodge Cummins pickup truck. Not exactly a lightweight set-up.

I would imagine a car on a tow dolly loaded backwards would be a death trap - the hour or so you spent disconnecting the driveshaft would be considered a good investment of time.

Tim

[rwthomas1]

I think the reason Tim had problems with towing a car facing backwards on a car trailer is there was too much weight to the rear and therefore not enough tongue weight. This can cause VERY hairy towing problems. Since a tow dolly is isolated to only one axle they are designed to ride well with whatever weight is on the tire pads. Since the other axle is on the ground it will have no effect on towing. I would try it backwards. Make sure the steering wheel locks in the "straight" position though. RT

[Stevo]

The lady that had the car just called to say the car was stolen, ya right. Well at least I didn,t get all the way over there and find out the deal was tits up. Oh well its raining like crazy so it wouldnt have been a real fun trip anyway. The truck is sitting with the borrowed dolly and all ready to go. "what man can do , man can undo" thanks for all the help. I will use it some other time. I should drive one of my cars up on the dolly bassakwards and see how it handles just for fun.