AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Shop => 4X4 and Driveline => Topic started by: rohnk on March 16, 2012, 11:21:03 AM

Title: Towing on all fours
Post by: rohnk on March 16, 2012, 11:21:03 AM
Can an Eagle safely be towed with all of it's wheels on the groud? I ask because I am planning to take my Eagle to the sand dunes and various chows but I don't trust it to drive it that far. I don't have a lare truck to tow a car trailer with and I know that if I dolly it, then I have to remove the rear driveshaft from the diff.

I figure I can shift into nuetral, lock the wheels straight and head on down the road with no problems.

Or am I bat stuff crazy!  :dontknow:
Title: Re: Towing on all fours
Post by: doc65 on March 16, 2012, 11:32:11 AM
Well per the manual when towing flat(on all fours), you need to remove BOTH drive lines.  At least that is what's in the manual for both my 82 SX/4 and my 86 Limited Wagon. they both have NP129 cases, while one is a disconnect axle(the 82) and one is a solid axle(the 85). I believe that the requirement to remove both shafts when towing flat is universal as none of the Eagles had a Neutral position in the transfer case. 

PS the Only towing configuration other than a trailer that is supported without removing a d-shaft is one set up in the air and the other on a set of AUX wheels.  I cant even remember the last time I saw a set of those, but I vaguely want to think it was on an old Wrecker/Tow Truck...

Doc
Title: Re: Towing on all fours
Post by: GRONK on March 16, 2012, 12:18:16 PM
Really the only way to tow is on a trailer.  I have towed w/ both d-lines disconnected, with front on dolly and rear d-line disconnected and I've towed flat 4 on the ground, in Neutral, running.  All minus towing on a flatbed have their issues and will cost more than buying a cheap flat bed from CL if there is an issue.  I have sold light weight flatbed haulers that needed minor things for $400 on CL.  
Title: Re: Towing on all fours
Post by: carnuck on March 16, 2012, 12:38:02 PM
You need to tow dolly in 2wd or with the trans in neutral with a tow bar. Nice thing about the NP208 is you can pop it in neutral to tow with
Title: Re: Towing on all fours
Post by: doc65 on March 16, 2012, 01:36:53 PM
I pulled my SX4 back from Billings to Ogden on a dolly with the rear d-shaft out & had no major issue.  The real issue is to not have the output from the transmission spinning without the tranny lubing itself...  Trailer is best IF it's not too heavy a trailer when combined with the car.
Title: Re: Towing on all fours
Post by: mudkicker715 on March 16, 2012, 02:24:45 PM
Flat on ground needs driveshafts removed for an eagle. or with enough power it will flat spot tires haha. even with neutral in trans and false neutral on the case. the driveshafts still spin.
Title: Re: Towing on all fours
Post by: eaglefreek on March 16, 2012, 11:30:27 PM
Also, when you flat tow, you need to keep the steering wheel unlocked.
Title: Re: Towing on all fours
Post by: whiteandbronze4 on March 17, 2012, 02:51:17 AM
the sand dunes at silver lake? i love that place. i make a pilgramage there at least once a year. i didn't see any eagles there other than my own. haha.
Title: Re: Towing on all fours
Post by: doc65 on March 17, 2012, 10:10:13 AM
Casper, you got your Eagles mixed up, it was Eaglefreek that made mention of the unlocked steering, EagleBEAK hasn't weighted in on this topic... 8)

Title: Re: Towing on all fours
Post by: maximus7001 on April 15, 2012, 06:21:05 AM
Why would you not trust it to drive that distance?