Don't try this

[POPPASMURF]

Last weekend we were returning home on a new "scenic" route. Pulling a TJ on our tow dolley. On a long hill and near the top we hit a real big whoopty. All I saw was a flash of white in the rear tv, then a momentary glimpse of the white TJ crossing to our left across the passing lane and on coming lane- thank god there was no traffic. The last motion I saw was the jeep launching off the side of the highway to the ditch. After we recreated it all and the jeep had gone down into the deep & steep ditch and launched up the other side- didn't even touch the farmer's barbed wire fence- hit driver's front corner from upside side and then rolled onto the wheels and upright. No body hurt- a real bonus. While waiting for R.C.M.P. in the field access-right across the road from this whoopty- we watched truck after truck get daylight under their loads. We are now going to devise a secondary safety attachement and hold down on the dolly. Insurance is coming today and I think they'll be writing this TJ off.

[akcampr]

All I can say is WOW, glad nobody got hurt.

[RVThere]

Didn't you have web straps and chains holding the TJ to the dolley? Did they break?

[Hammer Down]

poppasmurf, for those of us that tow on dolly please share with us the details of how TJ got off of dolly. I've hit some pretty hard dip-do's but so far everything has stay put. Thankful no injures involved. Good luck.

[Vegasdan]

Why would'nt you tow it 4 down? Dollys aren't neccessary with a Jeep.

[powerboatr]

incredible

the roadway sounds like I-20 near Jackson Mississippi

good to hear no injuries

[POPPASMURF]

While we have bgeen RVing for many years, we just bought this diesel pusher and it came with the tow dolley. While we don't do hardore off roading any more. I've always liked the idea of being able to tow broken stuff home. As well, with the dolly we had ready made brakes, steering and the complete hookup. This jeep was not the object of big mods- we had 31" tires-that was it. But in retrospect I think that is where the problem lie. The straps would straddle the tire but perhaps not go down even with the bead. I had the the wheels straps done up so tight, the tires were compressing into the dolly. We are neophytes with tow dollies and were not able to glean any more how-to than what we gathered from the PO. I now think we should have had wider straps for the tires invloved. I am not familiar with what is available in the way of safety straps for the tow dolly tie down. I AM goin to come up with additional back up tie downs even if it boomer chains. The web tie downs were tightened down with ratchet type tighteners. Appreciate the collective wisdom that can be focussed on this to minimized this risk again. This old f**t heart can't take too many of these. The fact there was no trafficwas the biggest blessing. Thanks all.

[Parkerrs]

Also if you get another Jeep to tow, check the owners manual carefully. It warns not to tow with two wheels off the ground. 4-down or trailer, the manual claims damage to the transfer case can result.

[KIX]

As a couple of other posters have said........towing a 4WD Jeep (they do make 2WD) with two wheels off the ground is causing wear in the transfer case. If you continue to use a tow dolly I would suggest either removing the front drive shaft OR installing front manual locking hubs. WARN makes some. When towing on the dolly unlock the front hubs to allow the transfer case front output to freely turn.
In my opinion the easiest solution would be to flat tow (4 down).

[Iron Man]

Does the tow dolly have in addtion to the tire straps chains to help secure the jeep to the dolly? Our Demco Kar Kady does.

[Vegasdan]

Originally Posted by KIX

As a couple of other posters have said........towing a 4WD Jeep (they do make 2WD) with two wheels off the ground is causing wear in the transfer case. If you continue to use a tow dolly I would suggest either removing the front drive shaft OR installing front manual locking hubs. WARN makes some. When towing on the dolly unlock the front hubs to allow the transfer case front output to freely turn.
In my opinion the easiest solution would be to flat tow (4 down).

TJs didn't come as a 2wd. As far as I know, no Wranglers came as 2WD.

[KIX]

Originally Posted by Vegasdan

TJs didn't come as a 2wd. As far as I know, no Wranglers came as 2WD.

Our mailman's TJ is a 2WD. It's also right-hand drive. Could have been specially ordered.

[Vegasdan]

Originally Posted by KIX

Our mailman's TJ is a 2WD. It's also right-hand drive. Could have been specially ordered.

Postal right hand drive Jeeps are special ordered through government contract purchase. You won't find 2wd Wranglers offered to the public.

[wa8yxm]

Yet another reason to tow 4-down WITH a supplemental braking system I'd say.

I've never had that problem.