Towing and Driveline Removal?

[tbryanh]

I would like to travel cross country with my two vans, one towing the other.

Both vans have C6 automatic transmissions.

Must the driveline be removed from the van being towed? If so, is there any quick-disconnect system that can be installad so the driveline is easy to remove and reinstall?

 

[fordf350man]

here is one, sure there is more out there


http://www.remcodsc.com/brochures/REMCO_DSC_Brochure.pdf

 

[TWeatherford]

Its really pretty easy and simple to pull the axles (part that connects the gears to the hub), and then cover it with either a pair of axles with the axle part cut off, or a special made cover. Store the axles in the back of the van and its 15 minutes work to put it back together, without crawling underneath anything. This article shows about pulling the axles.http://www.thedieselstop.com/contents/getitems.php3?Axle%20Seal%20Replacement

Of course, its not bad at all to just disconnect the driveshaft, and tie it up out of the way. 6 of one half dozen of the other.

 

[IDIDieselJohn]

^^^ Although that is a good idea, to just pull the axles out, and getting a pair of old axles, cut the shaft off, and just use the end cap to cover the hole, it's alot cleaner.....removing the driveshaft.




I had to pull the axles out of my van today to take the drums off, god I hate the smell of gear oil, and alot of it runs out the tube and makes a nice mess.

 

[riotwarrior]

I'd pull axles...no crawling underneath, no worries loosing bearing caps on U joints.

Ya pros it's easy and no crawling under

Cons smelly gear oil leaks out...get or make a catch can,

JM2CW

Al

 

[stumiister]

When we got new trucks delivered from out of state they removed the axles from the towed trucks and installed what looked like 3/4 plywood with inner tube stuck to one side with holes for the axle flange studs.
Personally I would rather have a uick disconnect system on the driveshaft than remove the axles because when removing and installing the axle shafts you will loose some oil which means your under the truck refilling the diff oil.

 

[79jasper]

Could one drill/tap/plug the axle shaft flange?
Or would that weaken it too much?

It would save from crawling under to add fluid, but only if you kept track of how much came out.

My questions are; Why do you want to tow one van?
And also why not use a bigger trailer to hold the whole van?
And why not back it on if using a dolly?

 

[icanfixall]

4 nuts.. Tie up the rear of the shaft. Wow.. Thats too easy.. But if you wanted to spend the money on the featured automatic disconnect from under the front seat.. Well if money was not an issue and ease of either in or out with just the pull of a knob.. Guess its up the the owner. BTW this smae reason goes for the ZF 5 speed trans too. They are differant from most standard trans and if you try towing one in neutral the trans will not get oiled and bearings burn out.. Its been done once here and the result was a totally burnt up trans... Really expensive too.

 

[jaluhn83]

Could install a 4wd trans and x-fer case too, then just rig up a linkage to put case in neutral for towing. Would also give you the lo range gearing for trailer backing or whatever.

Fair amount of work and cost yes, but maybe cheaper than a custom disconnect.

Pulling the driveshaft is probably the quickest, but pulling axle doesn't require you to lay under the truck - so more mess on the truck but less on you. Granted you'd need to top off the oil eventually....

 

[tbryanh]

***Why do you want to tow one van?***

I want either van to be able to tow the other so that if one van breaks down, I can tow it back home. Also, me and my wife can sleep in one, and my daughter can sleep in the other. More privacy.

***Why not use a bigger trailer to hold the whole van?***

I think the towed vehicle is stabler if it sits on its own wheels. The weight is distributed better and the van sits lower to the ground.

The trailer does have the advantage of having a brake.

***And why not back it on if using a dolly?***

Never thought of this. This might be the best option.

 

[79jasper]

Good/understandable answers. Especially the privacy part.

 

[Wyreth]

Good answers, accept, you really will tow MUCH better with one on a trailer. Than any kind of flat tow period.

Really, do it right, put one on a trailer. You will tow better, driver better, and sleep better.

 

[towcat]

flat towing is illegal in most states when your GVW's are that close. It can be done if you have a braking system installed in the towed vehicle that is controlled by the lead vehicle. Items like these will bring you into compliance and increase safety. It still may be illegal in kali due to the lack of hardwiring.

http://www.adventurerv.net/brake-bu...urce=Froogle&gclid=CILtsfvwxLYCFck-MgodpxAAXg

 

[RLDSL]

flat towing is illegal in most states when your GVW's are that close. It can be done if you have a braking system installed in the towed vehicle that is controlled by the lead vehicle. Items like these will bring you into compliance and increase safety. It still may be illegal in kali due to the lack of hardwiring.

http://www.adventurerv.net/brake-bu...urce=Froogle&gclid=CILtsfvwxLYCFck-MgodpxAAXg

Ayup.... BEst to listen to the guy to tows things all the time
I'm not even sure if those RV brake toad goodies will work in something as big as a van. THey are built to stop a small to mid size front wheel drive car with the booster not functioning, theres nowhere near the pedal resistance in one of those tinker toys.
And like Towcat said, the handling on flat towing something that big, is basically non existant. If the front end of the rear vehicle decides it wants to go into a wobble over something you just ran across, you will be lucky to keep it on the pavement I remember about 30 years ago flat towing a 67 El Camino behind a j300 jeep pickup about 30 miles and that was an experience i never care to repete

 

[tbryanh]

@towcat
Thanks for the info on the legality of it. As RLDSL says, the braking gismo probably won't work. I probably wouldn't invest in a gismo like that. Seems like too much of a bandaid approach. I don't trust the integrity of it either. But thanks for being thourough with your answer.

@RLDSL
Thanks for mentioning the issue of hitting a big bump. Yeah, I imagine the front wheels of the towed van could come off the ground and wind up in a turned position when they hit the ground. That sounds scary. Never thought of that. I imagine it might not an issue with a huge RV towing a little economy car, but it does appear to be too risky when GVWs are equal.


Rather than a full blown trailer, I think I would like to use a tow dolly with the front wheels of the towed van on the dolly.

How important is a trailer brake in this situation?