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#1
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Towing a manual trans car?
Can I have the front on a car dolly and just toss the trans into neutral for the ride back?
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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look. '85 300SD 245k '87 300SDL 251k '90 300SEL 326k Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford. Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG] |
#2
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Yes, no problem. I have towed manual 240Ds many miles that way. A couple of weeks ago I towed a 240D on a friends trailer. That was nice but I like the dolly because I can stow it up against a wall, out of the way. A word of caution, in Wa anyway, I have heard "you are spoz to have trailer brakes on them now".
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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K 1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild 1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K 1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor 2014 Kubota L3800 tractor 1964 VW bug "Lifes too short to drive a boring car" |
#3
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What I plan to tow, exactly.
__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look. '85 300SD 245k '87 300SDL 251k '90 300SEL 326k Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford. Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG] |
#4
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MAKE SURE U DISCONNECT THE DRIVESHAFT THOUGH!!! the PO of my car did not. he towed it from florida to texas with a tow dolly. when he got to his new house in texas, the car now grinds in 4th. and he found out later that he should have disconnected the driveshaft
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1983 Euro 240D 277K 2016 Mazda 6 Coming Soon, 2013 Mercedes E350 Bluetec Formers: 2012- Mazda 3 2007 Outlander- complete pile 1995 E300 Diesel 208K 2007 VW Passat 2.0T 63K SOLD 2003 Jaguar X-type 3.0 Sport Sold 04/11 w/88K 2009 Lexus RX350 9061 miles. Sold 04/09 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS:Totaled Sept.,09 @ 24,000 2003 Infiniti I35 58K Sold 1984 300 turbo diesel 222K |
#5
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I believe MB says don't tow with rear wheels down, even with a manual transmission.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#6
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Quote:
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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K 1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild 1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K 1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor 2014 Kubota L3800 tractor 1964 VW bug "Lifes too short to drive a boring car" |
#7
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I looked in my 82, owners manual and all it talks about is the automatics being able to be towed 75 max miles at no more than 30 mph. they say they recomend disconnecting the drive shaft on any towing beyond a short one, but I think they are still talking autos. Or maybe not
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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K 1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild 1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K 1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor 2014 Kubota L3800 tractor 1964 VW bug "Lifes too short to drive a boring car" |
#8
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i have towed many miles on tow bar stick tranny cars. with no problem. i dont know if the nose high stance of a dolly would matter.
tom w
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#9
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I too have towed stick tranny cars on 4 wheels. However, I have heard of this problem occurring before and I know I have read somewhere that MB's with standard transmissions shouldn't be towed. I believe there is a problem with a bearing not getting lubrication if the transmission is in neutral. I can't remember where I read it but I was reading a lot on this topic earlier in the year when I was trying to figure out what to tow behind my motorhome. I ended up getting a 4wd Suzuki Sidekick but I was considering a manual transmission 123 until I came across the info.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#10
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I'm pulling it about 120miles if that makes a difference.
__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look. '85 300SD 245k '87 300SDL 251k '90 300SEL 326k Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford. Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG] |
#11
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This has all been discussed before...
I've pulled several 4-speeds and a 5-speed w/back wheels on the ground for 200+ miles and had no problems with the gearboxes. If you look at a cross section of the transmission the gearing in the rear of the case will splash plenty of lubricant when being turned by the driveshaft. I suspect that the failure mentioned above was brought on by a low lubricant level or some other non-towing related issue.
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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm. |
#12
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You might check the tranny and as long as your in there maybe change the oil. I actually know of one other case where the tranny needed an overhaul after a tow with a dolly.
Low on oil to begin with, maybe
__________________
1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K 1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild 1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K 1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor 2014 Kubota L3800 tractor 1964 VW bug "Lifes too short to drive a boring car" |
#13
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Why not just put the backend on the dolly and avoid taking the chance ?
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#14
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Quote:
Only thing keeping the car straight is the steering lock right? Is it strong enough?
__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look. '85 300SD 245k '87 300SDL 251k '90 300SEL 326k Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford. Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG] |
#15
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Towing backwards probably a bigger risk.
Quote:
Of the all ones I've rented, only one was tight enough to track straight with a car on it, all the others wandered all over the road and were nightmarish to deal with. I couldn't imagine pulling a car backwards with one and dealing with whatever play the steering would have. All these 'failures' are anecdotal; there's nothing concrete saying that you cannot pull the manual with 4 on the ground. Jeez, for only pulling 120 miles, just check the oil and go with what's been done. If you're really worried, put the front on the dolly first, set the brakes on the tow vehicle, jack up the back of the 240 and yank the driveshaft. Or, go rent a U-Haul auto trailer.
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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm. |
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