towing a rear-wheel drive vehicle

[edprush]

I have an automatic transmission on my 1991 Chevy Caprice Classic. One of the front wheels has seized up (coincidentally, I just had rotors replaced) and I need it towed about 20 miles.

How bad is it going to ruin the car if I have it towed on its rear tires?

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: edprush
I have an automatic transmission on my 1991 Chevy Caprice Classic. One of the front wheels has seized up (coincidentally, I just had rotors replaced) and I need it towed about 20 miles.

How bad is it going to ruin the car if I have it towed on its rear tires?

Request a flatbed.

The owners manual will probably say you can tow it if you keep the speed under 30 mph.
The reason is the torque converter will spin, but the fluid will not be pumped through the trans cooler, so it can heat up and burn the fluid.

I have seen cars towed faster and further with no apparent damage, but maybe they were just lucky.

 

[montypythizzle]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: edprush
I have an automatic transmission on my 1991 Chevy Caprice Classic. One of the front wheels has seized up (coincidentally, I just had rotors replaced) and I need it towed about 20 miles.

How bad is it going to ruin the car if I have it towed on its rear tires?

Request a flatbed.

The owners manual will probably say you can tow it if you keep the speed under 30 mph.
The reason is the torque converter will spin, but the fluid will not be pumped through the trans cooler, so it can heat up and burn the fluid.

I have seen cars towed faster and further with no apparent damage, but maybe they were just lucky.

QFT

No use in damaging a car more than it is now.

 

[xanis]

Just save yourself trouble and get a flatbed.

 

[thedarkwolf]

or pull the driveshaft. Not exactly hard to do.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
or pull the driveshaft. Not exactly hard to do.

Thats what I was going to suggest, its 4 bolts, have them put it on the tow, crawl under, pop the bolts on the driveshaft to the diff, secure the driveshaft to the car somehow without removing it from the tranny or it will piss tranny fluid everywhere, and tow the car where it needs to go, re-attach driveshaft.

OR you can always just start the car and let it run the entire trip to to where it needs to go, leaving it in neutral, allowing it to circulate the fluid, it just be as if it is coasting down the street, shouldn't hurt a thing, just do not go towing it without removing the driveshaft or starting the car. 😉

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
or pull the driveshaft. Not exactly hard to do.

Thats what I was going to suggest, its 4 bolts, have them put it on the tow, crawl under, pop the bolts on the driveshaft to the diff, secure the driveshaft to the car somehow without removing it from the tranny or it will piss tranny fluid everywhere, and tow the car where it needs to go, re-attach driveshaft.

OR you can always just start the car and let it run the entire trip to to where it needs to go, leaving it in neutral, allowing it to circulate the fluid, it just be as if it is coasting down the street, shouldn't hurt a thing, just do not go towing it without removing the driveshaft or starting the car. 😉

I never thought of having the car running.

 

[SVT Cobra]

We always just leave the car running in N, never had a problem.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Start the car, put it in neutral, and go 😛

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
or pull the driveshaft. Not exactly hard to do.

Thats what I was going to suggest, its 4 bolts, have them put it on the tow, crawl under, pop the bolts on the driveshaft to the diff, secure the driveshaft to the car somehow without removing it from the tranny or it will piss tranny fluid everywhere, and tow the car where it needs to go, re-attach driveshaft.

OR you can always just start the car and let it run the entire trip to to where it needs to go, leaving it in neutral, allowing it to circulate the fluid, it just be as if it is coasting down the street, shouldn't hurt a thing, just do not go towing it without removing the driveshaft or starting the car. 😉

:thumbsup:

seems like starting the car is the easiest way.

 

[crt1530]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: edprush
I have an automatic transmission on my 1991 Chevy Caprice Classic. One of the front wheels has seized up (coincidentally, I just had rotors replaced) and I need it towed about 20 miles.

How bad is it going to ruin the car if I have it towed on its rear tires?

Request a flatbed.

The owners manual will probably say you can tow it if you keep the speed under 30 mph.
The reason is the torque converter will spin, but the fluid will not be pumped through the trans cooler, so it can heat up and burn the fluid.

I have seen cars towed faster and further with no apparent damage, but maybe they were just lucky.

QFT

No use in damaging a car more then it is now.

You cannot be the real montypythizzle. Anyone even CLOSE to montypythizzle's level of intelligence would know the difference between "then" and "than."

MALIBOO!

 

[montypythizzle]

Originally posted by: crt1530

Originally posted by: montypythizzle

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: edprush
I have an automatic transmission on my 1991 Chevy Caprice Classic. One of the front wheels has seized up (coincidentally, I just had rotors replaced) and I need it towed about 20 miles.

How bad is it going to ruin the car if I have it towed on its rear tires?

Request a flatbed.

The owners manual will probably say you can tow it if you keep the speed under 30 mph.
The reason is the torque converter will spin, but the fluid will not be pumped through the trans cooler, so it can heat up and burn the fluid.

I have seen cars towed faster and further with no apparent damage, but maybe they were just lucky.

QFT

No use in damaging a car more then it is now.

You cannot be the real montypythizzle. Anyone even CLOSE to montypythizzle's level of intelligence would know the difference between "then" and "than."

MALIBOO!

Yeah I was hesitant on that one too! GARRR because you are comparing it to how it is now.

 

[clamum]

MALIBOO!

 

[sandorski]

Dolly the rear wheels, should be cheaper than a flatbed. Just call a Tow company, they'll know what to do.

 

[CFster]

Leave it running in neutral.