Community Forums

dwarfracer1 · 10-11-2013, 07:27 PM

Just bought a used Dakota 4x4 to tow behind M/H, figured I could still use tow dolly until I got a tow bar hook-up. looked in owners manual & found it said if you tow with 2 wheels(front or back) up it will damage transfer case. I thought(LOL) that if you put transfer case in "N" it was ok? anybody have any experience with this ??? thanks

ahicks · 10-12-2013, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by modlite52

Just bought a used Dakota 4x4 to tow behind M/H, figured I could still use tow dolly until I got a tow bar hook-up. looked in owners manual & found it said if you tow with 2 wheels(front or back) up it will damage transfer case. I thought(LOL) that if you put transfer case in "N" it was ok? anybody have any experience with this ??? thanks

I don't tow mine (an 05 Laramie) but it's an AWD. Don't know if they're all like that or not. If so, trying to pull it with one end elevated is going to have the open diff in the transfer case spinning at pretty incredible speeds? Thinking it's pretty safe to abide by what the owner's manual says...

Okrver · 10-12-2013, 04:58 PM

We tow a 2002 Dakota flat, but I think once it's in neutral it shouldn't be an issue. Same as towing flat in N.

poncho62 · 10-12-2013, 06:33 PM

The drive shafts coming out of the transfer case would still be turning.....If the bearings there are not getting lubricated, there would be a problem....I would listen to the Chrysler dealer on this

MDPD · 10-15-2013, 01:10 PM

What year is the Dakota? We have a 2011 Dakota Bighorn auto transmission 4x4 and flat tow. Per the owners manual, shift the transfer case into neutral and place the shifter in park. Not sure for the standard transmission but once the transfer case is in neutral the wheels are disconnected from the rest of the drive train. If your Dak is a 2009-2011 the instructions are the same and if you PM me I will copy the page from the book and send it to you.

ahicks · 10-16-2013, 05:06 AM

I think those familiar with 4x4 Dakota's know it will tow 4 down. The OP wants to tow his recently purchased 4x4 Dakota on a dolly - until he gets a tow bar?

MDPD · 10-16-2013, 07:24 AM

Ahicks, you are right, I guess I read the thread too fast. The only solution to dolly tow a 4x4 Dakota is to disconnect and remove the front drive shaft.

Rockbit · 10-16-2013, 02:14 PM

Read the Book! If you pay close attention to the instructions, you won't have any problems. Start improvising and you'll find out how much can be damaged, and how much the repairs will cost.