Community Forums

Johntraveler · 08-18-2017, 03:24 PM

I have a car dolly and a 2017 Nissan AWD . Can I drop the drive shaft and safely tow the vehicle on a dolly ?

BFlinn181 · 08-18-2017, 04:27 PM

Check in your manual, and also might check with a tow truck operator, they have databases of what it takes to tow a vehicle safely.

If you decide to drop the drive shaft, be sure you index (mark) the original orientation so you don't install it turned 180º which could cause vibration. Also be aware that in dropping a drive shaft, in many vehicles it allows transmission fluid to leak out the tail shaft or lube oil leak out of the differential.

walt2137 · 08-19-2017, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johntraveler

I have a car dolly and a 2017 Nissan AWD . Can I drop the drive shaft and safely tow the vehicle on a dolly ?

I can see no reason why you can't, if the rear wheels are not connected to the drive system then it can't damage anything. You can also use a drive shaft disconnect system.

Johntraveler · 08-20-2017, 05:51 AM

Along side the steering column is a rocker switch 2W / AWD . Would pushing the 2 Wheel switch be the same as dropping the drive shaft ?

BFlinn181 · 08-20-2017, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johntraveler

Along side the steering column is a rocker switch 2W / AWD . Would pushing the 2 Wheel switch be the same as dropping the drive shaft ?

What does your owner's manual say about that switch? Most owner's manuals address recreational towing and emergency towing.

Gary RVRoamer · 08-20-2017, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Along side the steering column is a rocker switch 2W / AWD . Would pushing the 2 Wheel switch be the same as dropping the drive shaft ?

Probably not. The electronic shift AWD systems are not the same as mechanically disconnecting anything, whether via a transfer case shifter or physically disconnecting the shaft.

Modern vehicles use a number of electronic controls for stability as well as drive control and often rely on wheel speed sensors, axle rpms or other variables in their attempts to optimize everything. A switch that says "2WD" is probably just advice to the drive train computer about what you plan to do and may be just one factor in how it manages the driving power.

walt2137 · 08-20-2017, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Probably not. The electronic shift AWD systems are not the same as mechanically disconnecting anything, whether via a transfer case shifter or physically disconnecting the shaft.

Modern vehicles use a number of electronic controls for stability as well as drive control and often rely on wheel speed sensors, axle rpms or other variables in their attempts to optimize everything. A switch that says "2WD" is probably just advice to the drive train computer about what you plan to do and may be just one factor in how it manages the driving power.

Sound advice!