Author Topic: Trip Planning (Read 288 times)

Gunslinger · « **on:** February 13, 2006, 07:18:10 PM »

I'm dumb founded right now.

I'm making reservations for my Uhaul when I move next month. It's $1300 cheaper to get the truck and tow dolly from Las Vegas and drive it back here to edwards. It will probably cost me all of 15 gallons in gas. This is compared to picking it up in Lancaster, CA wich is about 40 miles away.

Anyone know if it ABSOLUTLY necesary to disconnect the rear drive shaft of a Jeep wrangler when towing it?

THe manual just says to put the transfer case in Neutral but doesnt mention distance or anything.

Either way I'm going to San Antonio tomorrow to hopfully find and close on a house. I have a LOOOOONNNGG list of stuff do to till then and I'll be so glad when it's over. The worst part is as soon as this stressfull move is overwith I start a new stressfull carreer and have to go through the school for it as well.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2006, 07:42:07 PM »

Regarding dolly towing, I have found this website to be very useful for questions as such:
http://www.rv.net/forum/

Good luck with your move! If you lived closer, I'd give ya a hand.

rabbidrabbit · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:00:33 PM »

Leaving it in neutral is just fine. If you are really paranoid disconnect it.

You should try calling Penske. When I did a cross country move a few years back it cost much less than U-Haul and was a much better vehicle. They garunteed it would have less than 30k on it and be less than 2 years old. Mine had about 12k on it and I hauled right on by those 1970's uhauls all the way. Came to about 1600 total for 3500 miles and 7 days rental. With Penske,once you get a quote they garunteed it would not rise and if the rate went down they would give you the lower rate. You want to call now and reserve since it costs you nothing to do so. Even if you go Uhaul for some reason you might want to have the Penske option in your back pocket incase you get screwed some how.

john9001 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:01:09 PM »

i been checking prices (for me), a full car trailer is not much more than a dolly, you get all 4 wheels off the ground.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:08:56 PM »

Uhaul is abou $1500 for a 17' truck and the carrier and Penske is about $300 more.

The main thing I hate about Uhaul and I'm not sure if Penske is the same but, I hat the fact that it has a lowered floor because them stupid wheel well's take up too much room and you have to move big stuff around them. Penske trucks usually look like they are higher off the ground thus not suffering from that problem.

Either way the price difference between a carrier and a dolly is abou $110 and I might just go with a dolly. I still cant get over how much cheaper it is to pick up 198 miles away.

john9001 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:20:33 PM »

a manual trans is splash lubricated, so just put it in neutral, a auto trans depends if the trans pump is driven by the output shaft or the input shaft.

if it's the output shaft, the drive shaft will turn the pump and lubricate the gears/bearings.

if the pump is turned by the input shaft you have to keep your speed down (50mph?) and stop every half hour, start the eng and move the shifter through all the gears to lub everything.

this is from a factory bulletin. check your manual/dealer.

retired auto tech.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:38:26 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by john9001
a manual trans is splash lubricated, so just put it in neutral, a auto trans depends if the trans pump is driven by the output shaft or the input shaft.

if it's the output shaft, the drive shaft will turn the pump and lubricate the gears/bearings.

if the pump is turned by the input shaft you have to keep your speed down (50mph?) and stop every half hour, start the eng and move the shifter through all the gears to lub everything.

this is from a factory bulletin. check your manual/dealer.

retired auto tech.

It's a 4WD so wouldn't it effect the transfer case and not the trans itself? The point is mute though because I'd rather pay the $100 and save the wear and tear.

rabbidrabbit · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:44:20 PM »

Penske should price match too... You might still benefit from a phone call.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:45:34 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by rabbidrabbit
Penske should price match too... You might still benefit from a phone call.

Hmmm, thanks for the tip. They also offer a 10% discount if I make the reservations on the web.

Maverick · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2006, 09:29:35 PM »

FWIW I know of some folks who use a Jeep Cherokee as a second vehicle when RVing. They tow it all 4 on the ground without pulling the driveshaft. I know one of them has an auto trans in theirs. I can check with them if you want.

Sandman · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2006, 09:50:54 PM »

Off topic, but if you happen to be a member of AAA, get the Trip Tiks. It's very useful.

Oh... and your blog URL is wrong.

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2006, 09:56:00 PM »

Ditto on the blog. It's either wrong, or it's dead.

mora · « **Reply #12 on:** February 14, 2006, 03:03:28 AM »

This from a Subaru service manual:

A constant 4WD cannot be towed with a dolly. If it's switchable, it's permitted, but must be set to FWD. For automatics the max tow speed is 20 mph and max distance 6 miles.

So if you can set it to FWD(or RWD with rear wheels up) you can likely use a dolly to tow it without problems. If it's constant, you might not be able to use a dolly at all, and also the transmission may pose limitations.

USHilDvl · « **Reply #13 on:** February 14, 2006, 09:42:35 AM »

Definitely price shop. Auto/Truck rental is a cutthroat business (trust me when I say I know), and a few calls to play both ends against the middle will probably pay off, if you'll spend the time. Also ask whether you are dealing with a franchise or a corporate-owned location. You'll have more options with a Corp store, since they are totally numbers driven. Also, you can appeal the pricing dilemma you have straight to Corp HQ. Get your message in to the Customer Service people at the top, and they will often override certain parameters in order to improve satisfaction.

Or not. But, it can't hurt to try.

Also, check what pricing should be when you contact HQ...I've found that U-haul agents are often totally untrustworthy, and price gouging is rampant around here...try over $1.00 per mile!! On top of the daily rental fee. No shiatsu, boys...

Luck!

guttboy · « **Reply #14 on:** February 14, 2006, 01:15:35 PM »

Gunslinger,

You do NOT have to remove the rear drive shaft whatsoever if you are moving the manual tranny. You may save a slight bit of wear and tear but miniscule at that. I flat tow my 93 Jeep Wrangler alot when going to Moab/Colorado/Albuquerque. Just make sure your fluid levels are fine in the Tcase and diffs of course.

Welcome to San Antonio!!!! I moved here from Albuquerque about a year ago. We live up in the Stone Oak area.

With regards to an auto tranny....unsure but what John says may be worth looking into. With that being stated, there are many guys in our Jeep club that flat tow without disconnecting the rear drive shaft and have experienced no problems.

Zap me a PM when you get settled in in San Antonio!!!!