[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Qwimby2

I'm thinking of putting my 2015 (manual of course) on a tow dolly to go cross country behind a motorhome. Does anyone know how the drive train tolerates towing with the rear wheels down?

Originally Posted by Qwimby2

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice. I will say that I've been towing stuff behind RVs for a long time, having lived in one for 6 years traveling all over the country. I usually had a trailer but sometimes had to tow flat, and I know a lot of RVrs who do the same and never pull the drive shaft. Those who use automatics prefer Saturns which adapt well to towing flat. I think car makers and U-Haul advise pulling the shaft to avoid potential liability. I am NOT recommending this to anyone, just relating my own experience.

A manual transmission doesn't require a pump to circulate fluid. Shafts and gear clusters ride on caged bearings that are submerged in fluid within the casing, so I think it's a matter of which cars tolerate this best. I have towed several cars flat with no problem, the exception being my Porsche 944s with the transaxle, which I backed onto the dolly, pulled the rig forward a bit to get the front wheels in line, cinched the steering wheel down to the sub strap and went on my way.

There seems to be a group in Miata circles who think 5 speeds tow OK but 6 speeds don't. I can testify that I pulled a 5-speed Miata flat from Florida to California without pulling the shaft and it was just fine. We stopped at Mid Ohio for three track days and continued to San Francisco. I even forgot it was back there after I put some new tires on the rig and checked to see how fast it would go (something I also don't recommend.). I got it to an indicated 88mph. The little Miata was just fine afterward and I put another 40,000 miles on it with no tranny problems.

This is just my own experience and I can understand anyone wanting to be more cautious.

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Ummmm so exactly why did you ask the question?