Hi guys,

So last night my jeep got towed out of my apartment complex for "overuse of the parking permit" and was towed about 16 miles to a tow yard. When I went to pick it up I asked how it was towed and they told me they did a rear-wheel lift with the two front wheels rolling on the ground.

I told them that the user's manual clearly states that the vehicle should never be towed using a 2 wheel lift and should only be towed using a flatbed tow truck. I then said that towing this way without using a dolly could damage the transfer case and/or transmission. He proceeded to tell me that this was only a myth and that he's been towing 4x4 vehicles like this for years.

I tried searching but found conflicting information; some say that the transfer case and transmission are fine, other's say that I'll find out in a couple weeks and things will act up with the tranny. I also called 4 other local tow companies to ask what they thought and they all said there's a good chance something could be damaged and that they always use flatbed trucks on 4x4 and 4wd vehicles.

I haven't tried to engage it in 4hi...I just drove straight home from the tow yard to get some advice first. So what do you guys think? I know I could get the tranny and transfer case inspected but that's more $$$ out of my pocket, which I'll only get back if there is indeed something wrong and I file a claim against the tow company. Any input is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance. I'm just trying to figure out if I should be concerned right now or not.

-Brandon

 

Keep a file on it and go to the dealer and tell them what happened and see if they can put something on paper about the tow. good luck.

 

Bummer, bad news, good luck.

 

^ Exactly what he said. Take it to the dealer and get it documented ASAP.

 

issue with tow companies is as soon as they tow the vehicle they assume no responsibility for any damage and it also removes liability from the location which it was towed.

Hopefully you got it in writing their acknowledgment that they used 2 wheel tow method. The sooner you determine if any damage was done the better, if you experience issues later on they will simply say it was something you did driving or wheeling it. Even if it's determined there is damage, they can state that it must have already been damaged when they towed it. Sucks but it's all on you to prove everything.
hopefully no damage and all is well.

 

I see Jeeps being towed behind motorhomes with all wheels on the ground all the time. I assume that the transfer case and gear shift are both in neutral?? Wouldn't being towed by a tow truck be similar?

 

Its fine.. Doesn't hurt anything to tow it like that...

 

Assuming that you had the Jeep parked with the transfer case parked in 2wd, you're fine. Our Jeeps have part-time cases, so when the Jeeps are in 2wd, power isn't transferred to the front wheels. Likewise, if the front wheels are on the ground and the rear wheels are lifted off the ground, the front wheels cannot transfer power to the transmission or rear axle. For example, if you had locking hubs like CJs, you would notice that the front driveshaft doesn't rotate when the Jeep is moving while in 2wd.

Now some full-time or AWD vehicles can be damaged if all the wheels are not rotating on the same surface. This is why reputable towing companies do not distinguish and will automatically place any and all 4wd (full, part, or AWD) cars and trucks on flatbeds.

 

The way I have seen it explained in the past is that is has something to do with the front of the tcase getting oil. Rear wheels turning but fronts stationary, the rear half of the case gets oil, but the front half doesnt.

For flat towing, it isn't an issue, since the front tires are turning which means the front driveshaft is free-spinning - and oiling the front of the case.

True or false, I have no clue. Just what has been posted in the past. And with the warning in the owners manual, I guess it makes sense...

 

This is from the Owners Manual:

"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."

How long will it take to sustain damage? Nobody knows.