Community Forums

16allegro · 02-10-2016, 09:23 PM

Purchased a 2014 Jeep Wrangler with a automatic tray to tow behind my Allegro.
Dealer sent me a link, "roadtrips.thefuntimesguide.com", stating how to tow a Wrangler Unlimited. Has 12 steps to follow one of which ,no. 9, which states put tray in park. I understand to a degree that after doing everything prior as far as neutral goes the tray is bypassed but going back to park kind of baffles me. Has anyone experianced this method ? Don't want to do anything to damage anything. Thanks.

16allegro · 02-10-2016, 09:25 PM

tray should be trany. Sorry

**TonyDi** · 02-10-2016, 09:27 PM

You do put it back into park when you are complete.

FIRE UP · 02-10-2016, 10:17 PM

16allegro,
Not to worry Sir. We've been towing Jeeps, many styles and models, for well over 30 years and, about 80% of them have been automatics. Without going into too much detail here, your drive train goes through it's final step, the TRANSFER CASE, before sending power to the front and rear differentials, via front and rear drive shafts.

So, being that, that transfer case does have a TRUE neutral in it, then, yes, putting your automatic transmission in PARK, will be perfectly fine and in fact, is what's required for proper towing parameters. Yep, the drive shafts will be spinning away while you're towing it but, since that transfer case is in NEUTRAL, the continuation of turning gears, ceases at that point and therefore, will not transmit any of that spinning motion, backwards into the transmission.

Hope this helps out some. Good luck.

Scott

Belladog · 02-11-2016, 03:28 AM

I agree with FIRE UP. We towed an 06 (?) Wrangler for many years behind our D/P Tiffins. I always put transfer case in NEUTRAL and tranny in PARK . Never had any issues. That towing procedure was in the owners manual also.

WD5DBV ROY · 02-11-2016, 07:23 AM

That is correct Tranny in neutral transmission in park.

Slolane · 02-11-2016, 09:03 AM

The reason you put the transmission in Park is so the parts inside do not rotate. There isn't any lubrication of the gears / bearings if the engine isn't running. If you leave the tranny in neutral the internals can turn and be damaged due to lack of lube.

The internals of the transfer case run in oil, this provides lubrication while going down the road.

FIRE UP · 02-11-2016, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WD5DBV ROY

That is correct Tranny in neutral transmission in park.

WD5DBV,
I'm pretty sure you meant "Transfer Case" instead of the word "Tranny" which normally is a short term used for TRANSMISSION.
Scott

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slolane

The reason you put the transmission in Park is so the parts inside do not rotate. There isn't any lubrication of the gears / bearings if the engine isn't running. If you leave the tranny in neutral the internals can turn and be damaged due to lack of lube.

The internals of the transfer case run in oil, this provides lubrication while going down the road.

Slolane,

"The internals of the transfer case run in oil, this provides lubrication while going down the road"

Well Sir, you are partially correct here. There are some transfer cases that do run in oil and, are effectively lubing important components like gears, bearings, shafts etc. But, there are others, primarily earlier models that, even though have a true neutral in them, DO NOT LUBE critical parts while being towed based on their internal design.

An example of a model that is really not recommended for flat towing (although we early Jeepers did it with caution and, counter measures to protect against potential damage) would be the model 300 cast iron, gear driven transfer case used in most Jeep CJ Jeeps. They can be flat towed for a short while and then, you must stop and start the Jeep up and go through some gears while the T/C is in neutral. That action would litterally splash some oil around enough to provide lube for a limited amount of time, 'till you did that process again.

An example of a T/C that can be flat towed is the later model, Borg Warner 231, Aluminum cased, chain driven transfer case. Those are designed and setup with, a small (about the same diameter as a DVD) oil pump that's about 1/2" thick, placed near the tail cone. So, as the vehicle is either being towed, or driven, that oil pump is turning and picking up ATF (yes, automatic transmission fluid) and pumping it to critical parts.

Just some info for you and others that may not know.
Scott

zanz · 02-11-2016, 04:54 PM

As a further note...do not attempt reverse while hooked up for towing. Was told by service manager this will destroy the tranny.

Slolane · 02-12-2016, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

WD5DBV,
I'm pretty sure you meant "Transfer Case" instead of the word "Tranny" which normally is a short term used for TRANSMISSION.
Scott

Slolane,

"The internals of the transfer case run in oil, this provides lubrication while going down the road"

Well Sir, you are partially correct here. There are some transfer cases that do run in oil and, are effectively lubing important components like gears, bearings, shafts etc. But, there are others, primarily earlier models that, even though have a true neutral in them, DO NOT LUBE critical parts while being towed based on their internal design.

An example of a model that is really not recommended for flat towing (although we early Jeepers did it with caution and, counter measures to protect against potential damage) would be the model 300 cast iron, gear driven transfer case used in most Jeep CJ Jeeps. They can be flat towed for a short while and then, you must stop and start the Jeep up and go through some gears while the T/C is in neutral. That action would litterally splash some oil around enough to provide lube for a limited amount of time, 'till you did that process again.

An example of a T/C that can be flat towed is the later model, Borg Warner 231, Aluminum cased, chain driven transfer case. Those are designed and setup with, a small (about the same diameter as a DVD) oil pump that's about 1/2" thick, placed near the tail cone. So, as the vehicle is either being towed, or driven, that oil pump is turning and picking up ATF (yes, automatic transmission fluid) and pumping it to critical parts.

Just some info for you and others that may not know.
Scott

Scott - thanks for clarifying. I did not know that about the early CJ TC's.

The main idea I wanted to express was the reason for towing with the transmission in Park - the need to keep the internals from rotating.

WD5DBV ROY · 02-13-2016, 09:25 AM

Yes I did mean transfer case. Getting old

FIRE UP · 02-15-2016, 12:31 PM

Well,
The good part is, we all learn on here from each others experience. Jeeps are fun and, a great source of entertainment but, you have to learn some basics and understand what some of the particulars are so that you can keep yours running and having a great time with it.
Scott

cj23andout · 02-15-2016, 01:31 PM

Yep, putting that transmission into park is really counter-intuitive. We've been towing our Wrangler for three years now. It still feels wrong.

We've towed 15,000 miles with no problems.

16allegro · 02-15-2016, 10:39 PM

Thanks for all the input both relating to flat tow and dollying. I purchased the Blue OX Avail and Patriot braking system. Having the backing plate installed on Wed. can't wait for everything to come together and then practice the set up. Thanks much. All very helpful.

2012 Tiffin Allergo 2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport Blue OX Towing