So many transmissions, both manual and automatic, by tow truck drivers, that the transmission shops should be giving them a kickback. That's what led to so many roll backs replacing the old tow trucks.

The ONLY vehicles I will tow without removing the driveshaft is a four wheel drive with an old fashioned part time transfer case. You can put the transfer case in neutral and tow them wherever you want.

Other than that I wouldn't personally tow a car more than a 1/4 mile.