towing 1993 MU auto / with A bar

[yeldra]

G'day, I'm a newby but an oldie also [have been watching & learning for a while now on old site] & I am very thankfull for many helpful hints explanations etc that I have gleened from your posts etc! We have a 1993 MU 4JB1 turbo deisel,with auto & manual free wheel hubs + 50mm suspension lift. Question / we would like to flat tow [with modern version of "A frame type bar hitch" or "A frame"] behind our motor home [converted coach] I'm trying to find out if anyone has allready done this or knows of someone who has, as we are fond of our MOO as it has done an excellent job on our journey! We curently tow it with an caddy type trailer "gypsy trailer" rear off the road & front wheels trailing, it has worked ok, but is difficult when my body does not ablige me with nessersary movement & energy! In a nut shell will it damage my transmission etc????? Thanks in advance. yeldra

[geeves]

For the auto you should disconnect the driveshaft if towing any distance with the rear wheels on the deck. This is because the oil pump is on the input shaft to the auto so there is limited lubrication when towing.

[mulover]

As geeves, said, just disconnect the rear drive shaft. Other than that you will be fine to tow it around no worries. This is how my dad moves his work utes around, just they are manuals.

[Yarno]

Could you just stick the transfer in neutral, or is that not possible in the auto?

[geeves]

The tail shaft and some gear sets still rotate as in a manual. In a manual though they sit partialy submerged in a bath of oil but in an auto the oil level is below the gears so the only lube is what is left on the gears.
There was a very old Borg Warner auto that had the pump mounted on the tailshaft. This was the only auto that could be tow started. Dont know why they abandoned this idea. May it seized in traffic jams

[Yarno]

Yeah I wasn't talking about putting the auto into neutral, but what about the transfer, do they have a neutral like the manuals in between hi and low?

[geeves]

not sure with the auto but it will be labled if its there

[yeldra]

Thanks Guys, I apreciate the input. No neutral on 4x4 shift! & I need to have the MU operational @ all times!! The owners manual says it can be towed / auto lever in neutral & transfer control into 2H with free wheel hubs in free position. Auto vehicles it is advised not to tow over 80 klms & not to exceed 30 klms per hour. I would like to think that they have over stated the "danger to the mechanicals" [don't want to be legaly libal] or I'm in for a very slow trip!!!!

[geeves]

could be worth talking to an auto trans specialist to see what they say but the books all say this probably for good reason.
Another option would be a dolly under the rear wheels like they use on tow trucks