Towing question

[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?

[acetothermus]

Having just read this in the manual.... it clearly states that you should NEVER tow the car with either the front or rear wheels on the ground. The manual recommends a flat bed or wheel dolly's.

[mav1178]

Google is your friend.

https://www.uhaul.com/Articles/Tips/...r-Instructions

Transmission damage to your vehicle-in-tow

When towing a rear axle driven front engine vehicle, the drive shaft must be disconnected to prevent transmission damage. Simply placing the transmission in neutral is not sufficient and will not prevent damage due to a lack of internal lubrication. You must disconnect the drive shaft at the rear axle and tie or wire it up. The universal joint bearing caps must be taped on to prevent loss of the bearings. If you choose to remove the drive shaft entirely, it may be necessary to cap the transmission tail shaft to prevent fluid loss and possible future damage. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual.

U-Haul Centers and dealers are not required to remove or reinstall the drive shaft as part of the rental. However, some U-Haul Centers and dealers can do this for an additional fee.

Front wheel drive vehicles do not need drive shafts disconnected because the drive wheels are loaded on the tow dolly.

[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.

.

[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.

.

Ummmm so exactly why did you ask the question?

[Qwimby2]

Good question. As I mentioned there is a school of thought that some cars tolerate it better than others. A better way to phrase it would be - has anyone towed one of these and did any problems occur as a result. I suspect not, but it would be good to know.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Qwimby2

Good question. As I mentioned there is a school of thought that some cars tolerate it better than others. A better way to phrase it would be - has anyone towed one of these and did any problems occur as a result. I suspect not, but it would be good to know.

Originally Posted by acetothermus

Having just read this in the manual.... it clearly states that you should NEVER tow the car with either the front or rear wheels on the ground. The manual recommends a flat bed or wheel dolly's.

I guess if that is your question the very first response you received was the correct one.

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I guess if that is your question the very first response you received was the correct one.

I've noticed every time I've ever had to call AAA here in the U.S. they've always brought a flat bed, it seems like they are well aware of this. I wonder what repossession agents use.

[Nickosport]

Don't tow with the wheels on the ground. You will burn a bearing. The trans will lock. You will destroy shit.

Although manual trans don't require a pump, the input shaft needs to be turning for oil to circulate and climb the gears properly.

Yes under certain circumstances, and short trips you *might* get away with it. But I don't have good luck with gambling, and the penalties for losing are stiff in this situation.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by Qwimby2

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.

Just because you got away with it doesn't mean it works.

Every RWD vehicle I've owned has never been towed for more than 5 miles with the rear wheels on the ground.

-alex

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

I've noticed every time I've ever had to call AAA here in the U.S. they've always brought a flat bed, it seems like they are well aware of this. I wonder what repossession agents use.

I don't know if there are many old school "tow" trucks around anymore. The increase in the unibody car that really can't be just lifted and hauled pretty much killed them off I think.
Used to be so easy. Back up, tie off the steering wheel, throw some hooks on the frame, lift and drive away.


Mind you my time operating a recovery wrecker was just a tad more heavy duty.

[Qwimby2]

OK, I'm convinced. Edmunds has an article on this as well:

http://www.edmunds.com/subaru/brz/20...motorhome.html

I also doubt that I could get away with backing it on as I did with my Porsches because of the very low snout. I can see hooking it on something and ripping the front of the car off. I prefer a trailer anyway, but this was to be a one-time outing.

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

Originally Posted by Qwimby2

OK, I'm convinced. Edmunds has an article on this as well:

http://www.edmunds.com/subaru/brz/20...motorhome.html

I also doubt that I could get away with backing it on as I did with my Porsches because of the very low snout. I can see hooking it on something and ripping the front of the car off. I prefer a trailer anyway, but this was to be a one-time outing.

Edmunds had a long term BR-Z and FR-S I believe they have a lot of info on the cars. Some of the stuff they write is hilarious:

"First it was the teenage boy in the church parking lot with the mop-like hair. "Dude, I like your car," he said. Then it was my wife's friend (a hair stylist with, I must admit, much better hair than the teenager) who came over to our house. "It's so cute!" she exclaimed, after seeing the 2013 Subaru BRZ in my driveway. Later that afternoon: My shirtless neighbor, washing his Tahoe, noted that the BRZ "looked pretty sharp.""

[acetothermus]

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

I've noticed every time I've ever had to call AAA here in the U.S. they've always brought a flat bed, it seems like they are well aware of this. I wonder what repossession agents use.

I specifically request they send a flat bed, no matter what vehicle I'm having towed. Just makes more sense to me. I'd rather be safe than sorry.