Towing the Jeep with a tow dolly
08-23-2013, 08:07 PM
#1
JK Freak
Thread Starter
Towing the Jeep with a tow dolly
I'd like to hear from guys that tow dolly their jeep behind a truck or motorhome. I just got my 1st motorhome and want to get a tow dolly to pull the jeep. I can flat tow it I know, but thought I may get a dolly in case I break something bad enough and unable to flat tow home. I'd hate to be 500 miles from home and break and be out of luck if I flat towed there. With my ATX slabs and my 37/13.50 mud grapplers I'm sitting about 84 inches wide. Most dollies I'm finding are about 82 inches wide. I'd like to see what others are running (what brand dolly and how wide). Thanks for any input.
08-23-2013, 08:23 PM
#2
JK Jedi Master
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Talk to your local dealership about the big caution in the owners manual. 
CAUTION!
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 when recreational
towing.
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 when recreational
towing.
08-24-2013, 04:53 AM
#6
JK Freak
Thread Starter
I'm worried about being 700 miles from home in Colorado or Moab and breaking. If I go to wheel, I'm wheeling it, not babying it. I know I can take spare parts and fix on the go. I just want to be as prepared as I can be.
08-24-2013, 09:14 AM
#7
JK Jedi Master
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The manual lists that for 2wd models without transfer cases. Hadn't actually thought about it for 4wd's, but pulling the rear shaft (when the front is lifted, or front when rear is lifted) may work as well? Though I'd be curious to know why the engineering folks didn't include that as an option for 4wd's.
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08-24-2013, 10:27 AM
#8
JK Super Freak
done it with a 1500 Ram
The manual lists that for 2wd models without transfer cases. Hadn't actually thought about it for 4wd's, but pulling the rear shaft (when the front is lifted, or front when rear is lifted) may work as well? Though I'd be curious to know why the engineering folks didn't include that as an option for 4wd's.
08-24-2013, 01:56 PM
#9
JK Jedi Master
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So the questions are : is the manual correct or incorrect with the caution about not towing on a dolly? Is the manual correct or incorrect about removing the rear driveshaft on 2wd models? Is the manual correct or incorrect about the procedure for flat towing?
Or is the manual completely wrong and your procedure is correct for any scenario?
02-05-2014, 01:59 PM
#10
JK Super Freak
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What sorta breakage would u likely have on a trail ? (Not asking in a smart assway) I would imagine tierod, axle shaft or ball joint.... All those would be cheaper to fix at camp as opposed to spending $500+ on a dolly. If you broke anything else like a drive shaft, evap canister or busted an oil pan, you would still be able to flat tow it without issues. The only issue I can phantom with flat towing and breaking a tierod is death wobble in which case... I'm not even sure what I would do. Maybe take a measuring tape and take note of the distance between rim to rim and store it in your phone or write it in a paint pen on the wheel or tie rod?... just an idea... trying to save u the hassle of buying buying a dolly and having to store it when not in use
(Sorry didn't realize this was an old thread)
(Sorry didn't realize this was an old thread)