Dennis Burford

Hi all, I have to tow my son's wrecked 1984 944 home and would like to use a tow dolly instead of a full trailer. The front drivers wheel, suspension etc. is bent/wrecked. The car is 5 speed LSD. If left in neutral (or even disconnect shifter at transaxle to make sure it stays in neutral) is it OK to tow on a dolly. Any issue with rear valence or tailpipe clearance? I would like to avoid the full trailer if I can as I can just jack up the front and push the dolly under the front wheels, as opposed to having to figure our how to get a sort of rolling platform under the front driver's side (wheel siezed) and winching the whole car onto a trailer. Your advice, as always, is greatly appreciated.

pkt1213

How far are you towing it?

V2Rocket

It'll be fine. Keep it to 50-55mph and make sure the tires are good.

FrenchToast

I wouldn't do it. Maybe for a mile tops. But that's IMHO.

Lots of strain on the gearbox and wheel bearings. And probably other things.

Take care,

FjarrKontroll

I don't have any experience with this, but I can't see a single reason for there to be any extra strain on the wheel bearings or transmission while in neutral. If there was, we would all be riding bicycles because no car would be drivable. Since you'll be towing it basically straight and slow, the LSD shouldn't need to do any work either. Basically it shouldn't be any different on it than putting it in neutral any other time you're moving. Just make good and sure it stays in neutral.

As far as the rear clearance, I don't know about your son's car, but mine is lowered about two inches and has the turbo valence, and I have all the clearance in the world. Measuring by pictures, I could get away with almost 20 degrees of tilt. I give no guarantees on my advice here, but I say go for it.

V2Rocket

I picked up a customer's car about 50 miles away with a dolly and got it back without incident.

Dollying doesn't really add any more strain to the bearings and such than normal driving.

william_b_noble

having done this once with a damaged car, I would encourage you to just use a trailer - renting a trailer costs about $35 and is a lot easier on you and on the car than a dolly.

harveyf

Just conjecture but the oil level in the transaxle will be tilted and thus biased to the back of the transaxle. Since this is basically a "splash" oiling system, a component to the front the transaxle might suffer.

I know this sounds bizarre but years ago I killed the 5 speed transmission in my Volvo 240 driving up the long grade on the back side of Yosemite entering the park at Tioga pass. We realized later that the front layshaft bearing was not getting sufficient splash oil due to the extreme tilt of the tranny. That and the 5 backpackers with gear that we had crammed in the car put a pretty good load on the drivetrain. I had to drive all the way from the park to the bay area without 1st and 2nd gear. That was fun!

Legoland951

When both tires are spinning at the same speed, there is no problem towing with a LSD. It is no different than driving your car. The angle of your car on a dolly is very minor compared to many hills and will not affect oiling unless you are low on fluid to start with.

Cole

I towed my 951 home over 1,000 miles on a tow dolly about 6 years ago. Transaxle has been flawless since. It will be fine! There is no difference of the wheels spinning being towed vs being driven. Especially with the car in neutral.

Fwiw, I towed with a dolly because I was towing it with a vehicle that only had a 3,500lb tow rating. I could stay pretty close to that with the dolly but not with a trailer.