Towing?, Which tires should be on the pavement? Options

[montoya 73 2.0]

I'm going to be towing my 914/4 from San Jose, Ca. to Klamath Falls, Oregon. It will be towed on a dolley. Which tires should be on the pavement?

unless there's someone that can tow it for me by the end of this month.

[skline]

The rear, just make sure you release the brake and put it in neutral.

[montoya 73 2.0]

i was told by someone that the front should be on the pavement cause there not powered.

[Root_Werks]

QUOTE (skline @ Jun 16 2005, 11:42 AM)

The rear, just make sure you release the brake and put it in neutral.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/slap.gif) The non drive wheels, always the non drive wheels on any car. Ask any tow truck worker. They will tell always best if you can to put the drive wheels up off the ground.

[Root_Werks]

QUOTE (montoya 73 2.0 @ Jun 16 2005, 11:45 AM)

i was told by someone that the front should be on the pavement cause there not powered.

It's not a life or death thing, but you still turn the diff parts in the trans, work the CV's ect with the car tilted and the gear oil not sitting flat in the trans too. Just always best to let the wheels that don't power sit on the ground if you can.

That said, make tripple sure your locking steering works. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)

[Jakester]

I used to drive a tow truck. The issue with drive wheel on the ground is with automatic transmissions primarily. Without the engine running on an auto tranny, the lubrication is not functioning and a long tow (i.e. greater than a few miles) can fry the tranny.

Since it's the motion of the gears that generally lubricates manual gearboxes/transaxles and differentials, coasting them in neutral is generally OK. The incline of the lube repository is a matter to consider (already mentioned above).

As a tow truck driver I was taught to NEVER rely on the steering wheel locks. They can and do fail under load. Whatever wheels you decide to put on the pavement, do yourself a favor and tie off the steering wheel to the A-Pillar (crows foot on the steering wheel, close the door on the rope pulled taut, tie a knot in the rope after the door is closed). Whether the front wheels are in the dollies or on the ground, you DON'T want them crossing up (ask me how I know (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif) ).

[montoya 73 2.0]

crows foot?

[Jakester]

QUOTE (montoya 73 2.0 @ Jun 16 2005, 12:28 PM)

crows foot?

Whoops - my mistake. I meant to say Lark's Head (head of a lark, foot of a crow - I knew it was some extremity of a bird (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/boldblue.gif) )

Lark's Head

[Cap'n Krusty]

Having towed a ton of cars, I can tell you it's FAR easier to tow a 914 (and most cars) with the front wheels on the dolly. If you have to tow it backwards, be ABSOLUTELY SURE your trunk lock is PERFECT and will NEVER come undone by itsownself! I'm sure there are people right here on this list who can tell you why. The front hood has a safety catch, the rear doesn't. The Cap'n

[skline]

I know of several club members who flat tow their cars, if it were a matter of the gearbox, wouldnt it have the same effect on flat towing?

[montoya 73 2.0]

will towing in neutral cause damage to the CV joints due to free-wheeling and it not being under a load? And will there be abnormal wear or binding?

[Jakester]

I can't imagine that freewheeling in neutral would come close to generating any wear or forces that would be experienced under heavy acceleration/cornering during normal operation.

Heck, if you need peace of mind with this, just remove your two axles for the ride north. I don't think that will hurt anything.

I agree with the Cap'n - towing forward is easier to manage than towing backward.

[montoya 73 2.0]

Thanks for your help. will tow this weekend.