Toad Question / Confussed

[jmblake]

We have been shopping for a new VW bug 5speed manual trans and the first dealer said no problem towing 4 down, and I have seen many people doing it. So the 2nd dealer we went to said you can't tow 4 down on any new VW even manual trany, So we looked in the owners manual and low and behold it said not to tow more then 30 Mile's 4 down. Then we went to a Pontiac dealer and they said the same for there cars not to tow 4 down. Then we went to a Saturn dealer and they claim you can tow any of there cars 4 down even the automatics. So now we are even more confused on what to do or believe because the Saturn is built on the same chassis as the Pontiac. The VW dealer told us that they change there manuals every other year saying one time it's ok then the next year its not. Do you guys see any problems towing a 5speed manual 4 down? Thanks Jason

[luvrbus]

Big problem with some 5 speed manual transmissions towing 4 down some the oil is slung by the input shaft only when the engine is running no oil gets to gears when the transmission is in neutral being towed.
That is reason Jeep manuals transmission have to be in 4th gear and transfer case in neutral been there done that for the tune of 2200 bucks always read the manual saves lots of money



good luck

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Jason,

Motorhome magazine has complete dingy towing guides for every towable vehicle.

Check it out
http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/output.cfm?ID=1073647

Good Luck
Nick-

[plyonsMC9]

Wow Nick.  Nice post.  I may yet be pulling my Wrangler one of these days.    

Best Regards, Phil

[Stormcloud]

Easy to answer this one.

Get one of the manuals that says towing 4 down is OK, then throw away the other one.
No more problem......

Anything else I can help with?

Hope you find the answer you need.

Mark

[jackhartjr]

Nick, thanks a ton for that link!
Jack

[luvrbus]

Be careful with FMCA chart I bought a new R300 Lexus to tow 4 down only to find out a week later it could not be with out several thousand dollars for a pump. 
thats why I read the book now


good luck

[jmblake]

Thanks Nick that really helps , The salesmen are just out to make a sale and don't know much about what they are selling, the one told us all you have to do is put it in neutral and make sure the steering wheel is LOCK or it will wounder all over the road. Thanks Jason

[John316]

.....and make sure the steering wheel is LOCK or it will wounder all over the road.

Jason, you are just quoting what the salesman said right? Otherwise I thought that the steering wheel had to be unlocked....

God bless,

John

[Ed Hackenbruch]

You better make sure the steering wheel is UNLOCKED or you aren't going to have any tires left after you make a couple of sharp turns!!

[John316]

Anybody know whether you can pull a E350 (Ford van), four down?

God bless,

John

[John316]

You better make sure the steering wheel is UNLOCKED or you aren't going to have any tires left after you make a couple of sharp turns!!

That's kinda what I figured, Ed. Thanks.

I also figured that Jason was just quoting what the salesman said, meaning he didn't know what he was talking about.

We haven't done a toad, and I thought that you should have it unlocked, from what I have read.

God bless,

John

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Anybody know whether you can pull a E350 (Ford van), four down?

God bless,

John

Hi John,

If it has one of those E30D auto transmissions's in it, NO  you will have to disconnect the drive shaft.

Nick-

[jmblake]

Yes I was quoting what the salesman was telling us, none of them knew much about the cars they were selling, this was in Pittsburgh we normally buy from our small local dealer but they are going out of business from Gm's restructuring so we are forced elsewhere. Jason

[JackConrad]

A friend tows an E350 automatic 4 down.  He lets the engine idle in neutral with steering wheel unlocked.  I think he said about 1/2 tank of gasolene from Ohio to Florida.  Jack