Wrangler on a Tow Dolly?

[FLAirgunner]

On our way home today we saw a Class A RV towing a Wrangler, but the front wheels where on a Tow Dolly! I thought this was odd since Jeep Wranglers are reknown for being the simplest vechile to flat tow! I have no idea the model years of the Wrangler, but looked like a TJ. I also have no idea if it was 2 wheel drive or 4X4 or if it was M/T or Auto. Is it even safe to tow a Jeep Wrangler on a Tow Dolly with just the front wheels off the ground?

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[Reinen]

There are situations where that's okay but it's unusual. If the driveshafts were removed it's fine, no strain on the transfer case. If the Jeep has death wobble or other front end suspension damage a tow dolly would be safer than flat towing (if a flatbed is unavailable, of course).

But if it's a fully functional intact Jeep, they have no clue what they're doing and are damaging the Jeep.

 

[FLAirgunner]

That was my thought, but being towed behind an RV, I would think it was fully functional. Also, the suspension looks bone stock, no lift or off road tires.

just seems like a lot more expense going with a Tow Dolly over an installed base plate! And hooking up the tow dolly and loading the Jeep sure seems like a lot more work that just connecting the tow bar to the base plate!!!

 

[Reinen]

That was my thought, but being towed behind an RV, I would think it was fully functional. Also, the suspension looks bone stock, no lift or off road tires.

just seems like a lot more expense going with a Tow Dolly over an installed base plate! And hooking up the tow dolly and loading the Jeep sure seems like a lot more work that just connecting the tow bar to the base plate!!!

In fairness, Jeeps are the oddball vehicle having to be towed with all 4 tires on the ground. Most other vehicles can't be towed that way and require the dolly. Hopefully someone points that out to them soon.

 

[FLAirgunner]

Well, it may be too late, I’m in FL and it had MI plates in it!!!!

 

[Jeep Wick]

Right or wrong, we pulled my old YJ on a tow dolly a few times. How is there a strain on the transfer case in 2wd? The front shaft is not turning. I have heard the transmission is only lubricated in gear, but truthfully I can't confirm. We never experienced any issues.

 

[FLAirgunner]

I don't knw what year the Jeep was, but I don't think it was a JL, may have even been a TJ, so this may not apply, but here is an excerpt from the 2024 Owner's Manual:

 

[LKG]

On our way home today we saw a Class A RV towing a Wrangler, but the front wheels where on a Tow Dolly! I thought this was odd since Jeep Wranglers are reknown for being the simplest vechile to flat tow! I have no idea the model years of the Wrangler, but looked like a TJ. I also have no idea if it was 2 wheel drive or 4X4 or if it was M/T or Auto. Is it even safe to tow a Jeep Wrangler on a Tow Dolly with just the front wheels off the ground?

My son had a 90 YJ, it flat towed better than it drove, haha.

 

[Reinen]

How is there a strain on the transfer case in 2wd? The front shaft is not turning.

It's all about lubrication. Remember in normal 2WD operation the front tires are spinning. In neutral, but they are spinning relatively closely to the speed of the driven rear.

First of all the transfer case can't be in 2WD, it must be in Neutral. Otherwise you are causing your transmission to spin, even if the transmission is in Neutral. Spin from the driveshafts with the motor side fixed does not adequately lubricate the transmission causing wear and overheating of the trans.

With the transfer case in Neutral it's the same thing. Spin from the rear driveshaft with the front driveshaft fixed does not adequately lubricate the entire transfer case. Again causing wear and overheating of the transfer case. But at least it isn't causing the trans to spin.

With the transfer case in Neutral and BOTH the front and rear spinning the transfer case will be completely lubricated.

The only way to safely tow a Wrangler with a tow dolly is to remove the rear driveshaft so the transfer case doesn't spin at all.

 

[Jeep Wick]

With the transfer case in Neutral and BOTH the front and rear spinning the transfer case will be completely lubricated.

Not trying to argue, but if the front axle is not engaged (4wd FAD), isn't the front shaft not spinning?

Edit- here is a guy talking about a JK on the RV forum, he's done it and says it's ok. I realize their front axle operates differently but the transfer cases are similar.

 

[Reinen]

Not trying to argue, but if the front axle is not engaged (4wd FAD), isn't the front shaft not spinning?

Not engaged and not spinning are two different things. If you check it, the front shaft does spin in 2WD w/ FAD. All it needs to do is to spin enough to distribute lubrication and heat, which it doesn't do when in a fixed position.

I'm not saying it's going to immediately explode. But it is causing extra stress and wear on t-case bearings.

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