Does flat towing cause appreciable wear?

[jetman]

Who'd a thunk that?

I had a driveshaft built with a Remco disconnect in it that I install for towing:
https://www.alldrivelines.com/custom-remco-drive-shafts/

 

[Kira]

I had a driveshaft built with a Remco disconnect

And now we know the rest of the story.

What's the approximate cost of one of those?

 

[johnmyster]

I see A LOT of this every year at this time, all over town. When all of the snowbirds invade here. And I don't understand it. Many of them are driving a beautiful $400K motor coach, pulling a high end car or SUV. If you're going to spend that much money to be a vagabond, why not get one of these?

View attachment 263398

Because then you have to buy/register/store/maintain a trailer, which is often cumbersome in a campground.

 

[Lockasiam]

if you turn the vehicle on (not the engine) and put it in N wouldn't it count that mileage even though the engine's off?

 

[jetman]

And now we know the rest of the story.

What's the approximate cost of one of those?

In 2010, for the complete locally custom built & balanced driveshaft with the Remco disconnect = $750.
Optional Remco disconnect shifter was $200 extra.
I have no idea what it would cost today?

 

[tcp71]

F150 has a procedure to flat tow.

 

[jetman]

if you turn the vehicle on (not the engine) and put it in N wouldn't it count that mileage even though the engine's off?

I haven't a clue?
That's not how it done on the FJ. Here's how it is done.
With the vehicle in Park and the Remco DISCONNECTED 1) Key goes in the ignition; 2) key turned to ON (not start); 3) then back to OFF; 4) key stays in the ignition and in the off position. This keeps the steering wheel unlocked, so the vehicle will track behind the vehicle that's towing it.
So, it's in PARK w/the ignition OFF, you can see why no mileage is recorded.
The Remco Disconnect disconnects the pinion from the tranny output shaft.

 

[GSCJR]

Address please, I need to replace our 2008 in SoFlo.

 

[TiGeo]

I see a lot of Jeeps being towed this way I suppose b/c you can shift the transfer case to neutral so just wheels and driveshaft spinning.

 

[loneryder]

Best I can tell flat towing doesn't cause much wear.
I've towed our 07 rwd FJ Cruiser w/auto at least 70k miles since we purchased it in 2009. Today it has 235k miles on the odometer all under its own power. Flat towing it is done in park and doesn't show towing mileage on the odometer.
All suspension components are factory stock. Its on its 4th set of tires since new and current tire have a lot of miles left in them.
Admittingly, FJs are incredibly low mx vehicles. They appreciate in value nowadays.
View attachment 263377

How do you tow in Park?

 

[loneryder]

I see a lot of Jeeps being towed this way I suppose b/c you can shift the transfer case to neutral so just wheels and driveshaft spinning.

That’s true and why they are popular for towing. Transfer case inn neutral and you are good to go. RWD the drive shaft should be disconnected and FWD you need a dolly.

 

[TiGeo]

How do you tow in Park?

Same question

 

[97prizm]

I looked at a 2013 Honda CR-V today that had what I’m pretty sure was a hookup for towing behind an RV. The odometer said 90k but I’m assuming that it doesn’t log towed miles, so who knows how many miles the wheel bearing actually have? Does flat towing contribute wear to the driveline beyond just the wheel bearings?

View attachment 263357

If they towed using the SPECIFIC towing requirements then maybe. Alot of automatic transmissions can be damaged flat towing as there isn't any fluid being pumped/circulated with it off.

 

[Nick1994]

How do you tow in Park?

You flat tow most cars in park, with the transfer case in neutral.

 

[burbguy82]

I saw a jeep engulfed in flames from being flat towed. There is definitely some wear going on.

peobably was not following the directions

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

peobably was not following the directions

I would think the same but that's a risk. The PO maybe didn't always follow directions

 

[jetman]

You flat tow most cars in park, with the transfer case in neutral.

as I stated in post #6 our "07 rwd FJ Cruiser w/auto" = no xfer case.

go read the info in the link I provided in post #21 about the Remco disconnect.

and read last sentence of post #27.

 

[JellyBeanDriver]

on transaxles, the output (differential) is the lowest point and sits in oil that it'll throw up.

Agreed, and I'd wager all diff gears are splash lubricated. But the pinion is connected to something else buried deep in the trans.