Towing question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dave`12 · 07-07-2020, 01:03 PM

I'm going to use a tow dolly to tow my 1967 c10 with a 4-speed manual tranny 170 miles.

Uhaul said I have to remove the drive shaft. I'm thinking neutral would suffice?

If I do remove it, would the fluid come out of the tranny?

Please don't guess with any reply - I can't afford to mess up the truck

thanx

gmc684x4 · 07-07-2020, 01:21 PM

My understanding is remove the drive shaft as the transmission is not built to lubricate its self from the driveshaft is the reason to remove it

Keith Seymore · 07-07-2020, 01:38 PM

The 4 speed manual trans lubricates by splash from the gears and therefore would be ok.

An automatic trans that lubricates via a front pump when the engine is running would burn itself up when towing. In this case you would remove the shaft or, if you have room, unhook it from the axle but leave it in the trans (as a plug) and strap it off to one side.

K

**truckster** · 07-07-2020, 01:51 PM

2WD manual you're fine. 4WD manual or automatic you should remove the driveshaft.

dave`12 · 07-07-2020, 02:24 PM

thank you truckster and keith, that is what I thought!

**jabborabbo** · 07-07-2020, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

The 4 speed manual trans lubricates by splash from the gears and therefore would be ok.

An automatic trans that lubricates via a front pump when the engine is running would burn itself up when towing. In this case you would remove the shaft or, if you have room, unhook it from the axle but leave it in the trans (as a plug) and strap it off to one side.

K

This ^^^^^^^^

mr48chev · 07-07-2020, 08:53 PM

I'm going to say that the person who wrote the instructions for U haul for rear wheel drives either assumed that all rear wheel drive rigs are automatic or just figured that It won't hurt anything if people do remove the driveshaft on a manual rig.

Bigdav160 · 07-08-2020, 06:57 AM

The manual trans has the same issue that the automatic does. When in neutral the only thing that would be spinning is the main shaft. A manual is splash lubed when the cluster/counter gear is spinning. In neutral it doesn't spin.

burnin oil · 07-08-2020, 04:41 PM

All the 4spd I have been around had a rear yoke although there is probably some application for a slip yoke. Just pull the shaft and be on the safe side. Thats alot of RPM on the needle bearings at the input shaft.

72c20customcamper · 07-08-2020, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckster

2WD manual you're fine. 4WD manual or automatic you should remove the driveshaft.

Wouldn't that be depending on the type of 4wd? Full time remove the shaft but lots of 4x4s are towed 4 down and on tow dollies if you have a manual transfer case with neutral. Towed my 87 burban behind a motorhome all the time. Only mod I made was to put manual lockouts on the front axles.

Ps you also need to leave the key on and disconnect the battery so the front wheels track on turns

Bigdav160 · 07-08-2020, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

Wouldn't that be depending on the type of 4wd? Full time remove the shaft but lots of 4x4s are towed 4 down and on tow dollies if you have a manual transfer case with neutral. Towed my 87 burban behind a motorhome all the time. Only mod I made was to put manual lockouts on the front axles.

Ps you also need to leave the key on and disconnect the battery so the front wheels track on turns

Yes, many transfer cases have an output shaft oil pump or slinger so the vehicle can be dingy towed.

dave`12 · 07-08-2020, 06:57 PM

Problem solved, I decided to use a drive on trailer, only a few bucks more

thanx for all the replies.

**HO455** · 07-09-2020, 10:00 AM

Money well spent especially if you are going to have to back up for any distance. Backing a tow dolly, with a tow vehicle that has a wheel base longer than a Blazer, is very difficult at best.

07-07-2020, 01:03 PM	#1
dave`12 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Lake Placid florida Posts: 599	Towing question I'm going to use a tow dolly to tow my 1967 c10 with a 4-speed manual tranny 170 miles. Uhaul said I have to remove the drive shaft. I'm thinking neutral would suffice? If I do remove it, would the fluid come out of the tranny? Please don't guess with any reply - I can't afford to mess up the truck thanx __________________ 1967 C-10 4-speed, 350v8

07-07-2020, 01:21 PM	#2
gmc684x4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Whitehorse yukon Posts: 1,218	Re: Towing question My understanding is remove the drive shaft as the transmission is not built to lubricate its self from the driveshaft is the reason to remove it

07-07-2020, 01:38 PM	#3
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,141	Re: Towing question The 4 speed manual trans lubricates by splash from the gears and therefore would be ok. An automatic trans that lubricates via a front pump when the engine is running would burn itself up when towing. In this case you would remove the shaft or, if you have room, unhook it from the axle but leave it in the trans (as a plug) and strap it off to one side. K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/

07-07-2020, 01:51 PM	#4
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,791	Re: Towing question 2WD manual you're fine. 4WD manual or automatic you should remove the driveshaft. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

07-07-2020, 02:24 PM	#5
dave`12 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Lake Placid florida Posts: 599	Re: Towing question thank you truckster and keith, that is what I thought! __________________ 1967 C-10 4-speed, 350v8

07-07-2020, 08:53 PM	#7
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,267	Re: Towing question I'm going to say that the person who wrote the instructions for U haul for rear wheel drives either assumed that all rear wheel drive rigs are automatic or just figured that It won't hurt anything if people do remove the driveshaft on a manual rig. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

07-08-2020, 06:57 AM	#8
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: Towing question The manual trans has the same issue that the automatic does. When in neutral the only thing that would be spinning is the main shaft. A manual is splash lubed when the cluster/counter gear is spinning. In neutral it doesn't spin. __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

07-08-2020, 04:41 PM	#9
burnin oil Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Eastern TN Posts: 1,919	Re: Towing question All the 4spd I have been around had a rear yoke although there is probably some application for a slip yoke. Just pull the shaft and be on the safe side. Thats alot of RPM on the needle bearings at the input shaft.

07-08-2020, 06:57 PM	#12
dave`12 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Lake Placid florida Posts: 599	Re: Towing question Problem solved, I decided to use a drive on trailer, only a few bucks more thanx for all the replies. __________________ 1967 C-10 4-speed, 350v8

07-09-2020, 10:00 AM	#13
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,786	Re: Towing question Money well spent especially if you are going to have to back up for any distance. Backing a tow dolly, with a tow vehicle that has a wheel base longer than a Blazer, is very difficult at best. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban the WMB,1991 S(stink)-10 Blazer,1969 GTO, 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird. 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377



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