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towing a dodge dakota long distance?

I know with rear wheel drive cars it can sometimes mess up the transmission even towing them in neutral if they are an automatic. I have a 2004 dodge dakota quad cab slt auto trany with 4wd.

I will be moving in mid october, and was wondering if I set the 4wd knob to full neutral is it completely safe to tow, or would it be better to go flatbed or get a freind to drive it and fly him back. The trip will be about a thousand miles from the east coast to the midwest.

Also does the transmission have to be in neutral too or will the 4wd selector negate that. the knob is electronic so I dodn't know if it works with the truck off.

Or is it just safe if I put it in neutral and forget about the electronic switch..?

10 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Put it on a tow dolly with the rear driveshaft unhooked at the rear end and tied up under the truck. Tie it to a frame rail with a good bungee cord or two and you won't have to worry about it rolling around in the bed or the transfer case leaking fluid. Put the bolts and clamps in the ashtray and they will be waiting on you when you are ready to reinstall the driveshaft.

    Source(s): 20 + years in transmisson repair
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I towed my 70 duster 1000 miles from Illinois to Oklahoma. Just remove the rear drive shaft and make sure you pull it out of the trans nice and straight so that you don't mess up the seal. next warp the the drive shaft trans end with a stiff towel so that you will not ding the end of the shaft and wreak the seal when you put it back in the trans. make sure the drive shaft isn't rolling around during your trip so it doesn't get dinged and go out of balance. Next cover the trans output drive shaft opening with a strong plastic sandwich bag and tighten it with strong rubber bands. maybe use two bags. this will keep the dust out of the trans. It will probably leak some trans fluid, but that can be added later after the drive shaft is replaced. make sure you inspect the shinny end of the drive shaft that goes into the trans for any burrs or dust. This can ruin the seal. Lube the shinny end with some trans fluid and insert it in

    to the trans straight. Had no problems with my tow. Front wheels will have to be on a dolly.

  • 1 decade ago

    Two Best Ways 1; Remove the drive shaft 2; put it on a flat bed.

  • Lab
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    Because of the distance, driving or flat bed would be the way to go. Sometimes (you will have to look), there are company's that arrange a driver that will drive it to wherever you want it because the driver wants to go there too and you don't have to fly them back.

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  • 1 decade ago

    The least expensive way to transport the vehicle is to disconnect the drive shafts.

  • 1 decade ago

    check with a dealer but in most cases of flat towing something like this long distance if you take the drive shaft totally out you can do it

  • 6 years ago

    Siempre he confiados en los GPS que he comprado aquí, la ultima vez he comprado un GPS para ponerlo en la bici, además de una buena entrega el producto cumple mis expectativas, un GPS interesante que además de su función, que esta perfecta , tiene también pulsometro, una compra muy buena.

  • 1 decade ago

    This is definitely a high stakes question that needs to be answered by the dealer or trans shop.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    remove the drive line from the rear end and tie it up to the bed if u take it all the way off u will lose trans fluid and maybe rear seal ...........................tow dolly

    Source(s): 20 years in towing
  • 1 decade ago

    just take the driveshaft off and you will have no problems

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