Towing with towbar:

[Stewart G Griffin]

Would it be ok to tow an automatic transmission car in neutral with the engine running?   i can't disconnect any driveshafts because it's front wheel drive.  i only have to tow about 60 miles.

[beastie_3]

Check with the owners manual. It probably wont be good. Suggest getting a tow dolly.

[bake74]

     With most front wheel drive vehicles, it says to use a flat bed or tow dolly, but in emergencies speeds must not exceed 35 mph and not to exceed 50 miles.  The transmission fluid must be full, parking brake off, car in neutral, and turn ignition off, but do not lock the steering wheel.  Do not tow it with it running, any number of things could go wrong and mess up your whole day.
     Tow dolly rentals are pretty cheap, and can save you more money on not having to fix what you broke by towing it flat.

[three8six]

I would put it in drive myself, I mean at most you should only have to back up once @ your house and just swap it. Just something my Dad always would tell me. I would still stay under said speed limit. I

[beastie_3]

I would put it in drive myself, I mean at most you should only have to back up once @ your house and just swap it. Just something my Dad always would tell me. I would still stay under said speed limit. I

NO!

[Stewart G Griffin]

Yeah, looks like that plan won't work;  i was reading the owner's manual and the TH-350 book from HP.  They both say no more than 50 miles and no faster than 35 mph.

Any suggestions on where to rent a tow dolly?   U-haul has a crappy reputation, but i guess it depends on location?  The corporate locations are better than the independants?  Maybe?

[beastie_3]

TH350? what vehicle do you plan on towing?

I havent had problems with U haul besides some of the people that work there. Check with other moving rental companies.

[1979C20]

I can only assume the th350 is in his truck?
im curious as to why you are towing this car if it runs? If somethings wrong with its transmission, then why not just drag it?

[bake74]

  If somethings wrong with its transmission, then why not just drag it?

     The transmission is not the only thing you need to worry about.  Front wheel drive vehicles have all kinds of issues with cv's and others that are not under thier own power and rolling free down a road.  There is a reason why manufactures say not to tow these cars without the front end off the ground.

     Stewart G.  there a lot of places that rent dollies, you can rent from any place that rents u-haul, it doesn't have to be an actual u-haul location.

[Edahall]

Would it be ok to tow an automatic transmission car in neutral with the engine running?   i can't disconnect any driveshafts because it's front wheel drive.  i only have to tow about 60 miles.

You probably can get by with it but you would be taking a chance of ruining your transmission.  I have done it successfully in emergencies.  The most important thing is to keep your speed down.  The slower the better.  It also helps if you stop periodically and start the car that's being towed to circulate the transmission oil.  However, you're much better off getting a tow dolly if you can.

[Stewart G Griffin]

Ok, i did find a decent u-haul location nearby---it's $44.95 a day.  The dolly is in excellent shape and the location is reputable.

TH350? what vehicle do you plan on towing?

I havent had problems with U haul besides some of the people that work there. Check with other moving rental companies.

It's actually a cavalier.  The reason why i mentioned TH-350 is because i have that HP book and theres a section inside discussing towing.  i figured most gm hydramatic transmissions were related?  Either way, they both have the 50 mile distance max, 35 mph max recommendation.

Incidentally, i think the original FWD cars from gm did have TH-350s or 400's---the toronado, eldorado etc.

im curious as to why you are towing this car if it runs? If somethings wrong with its transmissio

The transmission is fine, i'm doing some moving and don't want to involve anyone else.