Can I use a tow dolly to pull a 2005 jeep liberty crd that I am buying? will I have to disconnect rear drive shaft? I own the dolly and have to pull it home to work on it, it is not running. I will get a blue ox tow bar in the future, which will be better 4 down and sell the dolly. thanks!
I have a 2006 Liberty and this is what my manual has to say: 2wd - "Recreational towing is not allowed. Towing with rear wheels on the ground can result in severe transmission problems." 4wd - "Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used. Internal damage to the transmission or transfer case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used for recreational towing." It then goes into the procedures for towing with all wheels down.
For those of you who have a Jeep Liberty (at least 2006), all 4x4s should be on a flatbed - specify when calling for a tow truck. A 2wd Liberty can be towed with two wheels on the ground, if it can be put into N and it is towed no more than 30mph and no more than 15 miles. Better to use a flatbed.
Good luck with this car - I've always been intrigued by the CRD, but there are very few on the west coast. There have been a lot of issues, but also a lot of aftermarket remedies. The investment may well be worth it for the difference in the fuel efficiency. I get 12-13 mpg around town and barely 20 hwy. If I had to use this for commuting to work, I'd find another vehicle. (can't figure out how to get rid of the underline).
Just curious, Sven. Is Jeep saying NO TOAD on all fours, even though it's a 4x4?
I understand what jeep says. but if the rear drive shaft is removed there should be no problems with the transfercase and trans. any thoughts? I would have to plug trans end so fluid did not come out of course.
You are correct if drive shaft is removed no problem other than fluid leak. Not seeing the undercarriage I can only suggest that the drive shaft could be tethered to the frame or cross member and left in the transfer case after unhooking it from rear end.
I'm not sure what engine and transmission you have so I couldn't look it up for you.
Go to link, enter all applicable information, and it will answer some questions on tow (toad) capability.
Store : Remco (http://www.remcoindustries.com/Towing/Store.php)
Thanks! craneman... I figured it would not make any difference on factory recommendations because they do not mention driveshaft removal.
That would be just the same as towing any other rear wheel drive car. When I tow our full size Dodge van I disconnect the driveshaft from the rear differential and tie up the drive shaft so no need to remove it from the transmission and did not have to plug the transmission as the driveshaft was still in the transmission
Mike, what Sven was addressing related to towing with a wrecker, lifting one end of the 4x4. That's a no-no, gotta put it on a rollback, or disconnect the driveshaft on whichever end is on the ground.
No, the manual gives instructions on how to tow with all four wheels down. I put quotes on the passages regarding two up, regardless of which end. Not sure what they mean by "wheel lifts", but am guessing any means by which either end is off the ground - I'm interpreting dolly or wreaker.
With a solid rear axle, I can't see any harm with the drive shaft being disconnected. It seems like a lot of trouble compared to having a flat bed tow truck or U-Haul trailer move it. I've used U-Haul several times when taking a car to auction.