Not sure where to post this so here it goes. I am going to the beach this summer and I am planning on towing my JK, (I would rather drive it but not enough room.) Anyhow its my plan to use a car dolly. So with that being said do I need to disconnect the drive shaft? Or should I just rent a flat bed to carry it. The drive will take about 800 miles if that matters. Any help would be great.

 

I believe the recreational towing method listed in the manual is a flat tow with all 4 wheels on the ground. For that method you just take it out of gear and put the transfer case in neutral. Not exactly sure of the appropriate method to tow with a dolly but I'm sure someone will drop some knowledge here shortly.

 

For an automatic:
Transmission in Neutral
Transfer Case in Neutral
Transmission back in Park

 

Just checked the online owner's manual for 2010, it's a great resource by the way. Pages 435-438 and this is the description. I would say to avoid any other method unless drive shafts are disconnected to prevent damage to the t-case as normal towing is prescribed as flatbed only with all four wheels off the ground in the what to do in emergencies section of the manual.

Four-Wheel Drive Models
NOTE: The transfer case must be shifted into N (Neutral),
automatic transmission must be shifted into PARK,
and manual transmission must be placed in gear (not in
NEUTRAL) for recreational towing.
Shifting Into Neutral (N)
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N
(Neutral) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case N (Neutral) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move,
even if the transmission is in PARK. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral) before recreational
towing to prevent damage to internal parts.
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Press the brake pedal.
3. Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or
press the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
4. Shift the transfer case lever into N (Neutral).
5. Start the engine.
6. Shift the automatic transmission into DRIVE or the
manual transmission into gear.
7. Release the brake pedal and ensure that there is no
vehicle movement.
8. Turn the engine off and turn the ignition switch to the
ACC position.
9. Shift the automatic transmission into PARK.
10. Apply the parking brake.
11. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle with the tow bar.
12. Release the parking brake.
13. Disconnect the negative battery cable, and secure it
away from the negative battery post.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the transmission
is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in
N (Neutral) and the engine running. With the transfer
case in N (Neutral) ensure that the engine is off
prior to shifting the transmission into PARK (refer to
steps 8 – 9 above).
Shifting Out of Neutral (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or
press the clutch pedal on a manual transmission
3. Shift the transfer case lever into the desired position.
4. Start the engine.
5. Shift the automatic transmission into DRIVE or release
the clutch on manual transmissions.
NOTE: When shifting out of transfer case N (Neutral)
on automatic transmission-equipped vehicles, turning
the engine off may be required to avoid gear clash.
CAUTION!
• Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar
on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be
damaged.

 

Also recommend turning the key to acc then take the cable from the battery. Otherwise your steering will be locked and front wheels won't turn. Learned this on by experience.

 

This is also in the Owner's Manual ('08, anyway):
CAUTION!
Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used. Internal
damage to the transmission or transfer case will occur
if a front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational
towing.

The '11 Owner's Manual has stepped it up a little:

CAUTION!
• Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used.
Internal damage to the transmission or transfer
case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used
when recreational towing.
• Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this
vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the
transfer case.
• Automatic transmissions must be placed in the
PARK position for recreational towing.
Manual transmissions must be placed in gear (not
in Neutral) for recreational towing.
• Before recreational towing, perform the procedure
outlined under “Shifting Into NEUTRAL” to be
certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL.
Otherwise, internal damage will result.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above
requirements can cause severe transmission and/or
transfer case damage. Damage from improper towing
is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
• Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar
on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be
damaged.

 

Thanks for all the posts. Now with a stock vehicle other than a trailer I have to use a tow bar if I read all this correctly. The part that has me confused now is how to you hook a tow bar to a stock bumper? I will btw read the owners manual sometime tonight.