i will be moving away in a few days and i will be towing my 2010 JK on a tow dolly behind a moving van. must i disconnect the main drive shaft. i know i should put my transfer case in neutral and i have a standard 6 speed which too needs to be left in neutral.

 

when we moved across country, I looked into this as well. I used a car trailer. The owners manual indicates this for towing. It stated specifically no car dolly. Not sure why, but I wasn't willing to take a chance pulling it 2200 miles. As for flat towing, leave the transmission in park and shift the transfer case to neutral.

 

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.) Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle Towing Condition Wheels OFF the Ground Four-Wheel Drive Models Flat Tow NONE See Instructions Manual transmission in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL (N) Transfer case in NEUTRAL (N) Tow in forward direction Dolly Tow Front NOT ALLOWED Rear NOT ALLOWED On Trailer ALL OK Recreational Towing – Four-Wheel Drive Models NOTE: The transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL (N), 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) Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for recreational towing. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Turn OFF the engine. Press and hold the brake pedal. Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or depress the clutch pedal on a manual transmission. Shift the transfer case lever into NEUTRAL (N). Start the engine. Shift the transmission into REVERSE. Release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions) for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement. Repeat steps 7 and 8 with automatic transmission in DRIVE or manual transmission in first gear. Turn OFF the engine. Firmly apply the parking brake. Shift the transmission into PARK or place manual transmission in gear (NOT in Neutral). Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar. Release the parking brake. Shifting Out of NEUTRAL (N) Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for normal usage. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it connected to the tow vehicle. Firmly apply the parking brake. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF position. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but do not start the engine. Press and hold the brake pedal. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL. Shift the transfer case lever to the desired position. NOTE: When shifting out of transfer case NEUTRAL (N), turning the engine OFF may be required to avoid gear clash. Shift the automatic transmission into PARK, or place manual transmission in Neutral. Release the brake pedal. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle. Start the engine. Press and hold the brake pedal. Release the parking brake. Shift the transmission into gear, release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions), and check that the vehicle operates normally. CAUTION! It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N) before recreational towing to prevent damage to internal parts. Damage to the transmission may occur if the transmission is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in NEUTRAL (N) and the engine running. With the transfer case in NEUTRAL (N) ensure that the engine is OFF prior to shifting the transmission into PARK. 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 (N)” to be certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N). 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. 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.

 

Towing Condition Wheels OFF the Ground Four-Wheel Drive Models Flat Tow NONE See Instructions Manual transmission in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL (N) Transfer case in NEUTRAL (N) Tow in forward direction Dolly Tow Front NOT ALLOWED Rear NOT ALLOWED On Trailer ALL OK

 

Bottom line is to haul on trailer or flat tow with transfer case in neutral and transmission in gear. Do not tow on dolly.

 

Yep, just like the owner's manual states.

 

You can tow it 4 wheels up or 4 wheels down. What you can't do is put two wheels down and two wheels on a dolly.

Apparently the transfer case will self-destruct when only one drive shaft is turning at speed and there is no input from the engine/transmission.

I've towed mine 4-down thousands of miles without any problems. Just follow the manual exactly. The routine is different depending on the year of your Jeep.

 

damn it all. thanks guys. i appreciate all the replies

 

Actually you could tow the Jeep with the front axle on the dolly and the rear drive shaft removed.

If it were me I'd use the full trailer for a one-time tow. Easier than getting out the wrenches twice.

 

DO NOT USE A DOLLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I CAN DESTROY YOUR TRANSFER CASE!!!!!!!!!!

I have flat towed my 2012 unlimted rubi over 6000 miles with no issues. Auto trans in park, transfer case in neutral, ignition switch off. 2012 and newer don't lock the steering wheel, so no problems.

You need a roadmaster or blue ox tow bar. They cost up to $1200 or less on ebay (got my Roadmaster for $400 in perfect condition) They tow so easy you don't even feel it.

You will need frame adapters to tie into the tow bar or a Smittybilt front bumper with tow hooks and Warrior product tow adapters (see my post on towing your jeep)

good luck