Securing the rear driveshaft.

[Fireguy]

Going to tow my H3 on a tow dolly and need to disconnect the rear driveshaft. Don't want to pull it out from the trans just tie it up. Any suggestions on how to do it?

 

[f5moab]

Why? Just put the t/case into Neutral andthe engine is disconnected at the t/case and wheels freewheel.

From the owner's manual...

Dinghy Towing
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle:
1. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
2. Turn the engine off, but leave the ignition in ON.
3. Firmly set the parking brake.
4. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow
vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Shifting a full-time four-wheel-drive vehicle’s
transfer case into NEUTRAL can cause your
vehicle to roll even if the automatic
transmission is in PARK (P) or the manual
transmission is in any gear. You or others
could be injured. Make sure the parking brake
is firmly set before you shift the transfer case
to NEUTRAL.
5. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N). See
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-27 for
the proper procedure to select the NEUTRAL
position for your vehicle.
6. Put the transmission in PARK (P) for an automatic
transmission or in FIRST (1) for a manual
transmission.
7. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is firmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
8. Turn the ignition off.

 

[ArtHummer]

There is no point in disconnecting a drive shaft, but in any case I would've not tow it on a dolly that lifts only front excels. Better get a trailer. I'm not an expert on towing but I think towing something large and heavy as H3 would be scary.

 

[Fireguy]

I bought a tow dolly for two reasons. 1, I can tow mine or my wife's vehicle and 2, the tow dolly comes with electric brakes.(making it easier not having to buy a supplemental brake system for the towed vehicle) The owners manual states not to use a dolly tow but disconnecting the rear driveshaft should be a safe bet. I would rather not take the driveshaft out altogether hence making a mess with tranny fluid. Just looking for an idea to suspend the driveshaft from the rear with it in tow.

 

[3Hummers]

Doug is of course correct. Just put the T case in neutral and you are good to go. You can flat tow the H3 if you want to.

 

[f5moab]

There is no point in disconnecting a drive shaft, but in any case I would've not tow it on a dolly that lifts only front excels. Better get a trailer. I'm not an expert on towing but I think towing something large and heavy as H3 would be scary.

I see H3s, Jeeps and many other vehicles dinghy towed across the highways all the time out here in the west. They are behind trucks or motor homes; or in one case it was a PU truck, with a fifth wheel towing a H3. Probably not legal in many states; especially east of the MS river.:giggle:

But dinghy towing and H3 is perfectly ok so long as the person knows how to tow.

 

[Fireguy]

I am going to use a tow dolly method. ( front wheels off the ground) not the dinghy method ( flat tow with all wheels on the ground).

 

[Fireguy]

I just talked to a guy about the H3 being towed. He stated because it's an all-wheel-drive vehicle the transfer case is disconnected from the transmission but both front and rear wheels are still turning. My only option is to disconnect the rear driveshaft and tie it up. It's really not that much of a problem 10 minutes and I'm on the road.

 

[atvspeed4]

This is not a new idea. As stated above put the transfercase in neutral. You do not need to disconnect drive shaft even if 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 tires are on the pavement. But it sounds like you are going to do it your way anyways

 

[Fireguy]

I don't mean to question the manufacturer, But why would they state not to tow dolly the vehicle And some people feel it's okay? Is there anyone out there that has towed there vehicle with a tow dolly?

 

[alrock]

Perhaps we continue past the whole discussion about the transfer case and we stick to the owner's manual, as you stated. Securing it? Heck, I think you can use bailing wire, robe, zip ties, though of course I'm not under my truck right now to look at what you secure it to. Plug the holes with rags. If dolly towing is the way you gotta go, it sounds like some compromises are in order.

 

[Fireguy]

Thanks alrock. That should sum it up. After my trip I'll update how things went.

 

[4speedfunk]

Why don't you just drive it?

 

[Reloader]

Use a couple of good rubber bunge straps to tie up shaft. Be sure to wrap tape around u-joint to hold cups in place. Loose those and you' ll need a new joint kit. do not leave strap bolts loose in diff yoke or remove all together. Reconnect shaft before trying to move off trailer so shaft doesnt twist in bunges.
I understand wanting to use a dolly as you dont need to have a tow bar assembly mounted up or wiring for lighting. Shouldnt cause any problems other than more wear on the rear tyres. There are driveshaft quick disconnect s.ystems available for frequently towed vehicles but I think the H3 rear shaft is too short for this to be used.
Good luck and travel safe.

 

[4speedfunk]

One more tip that isn't so obvious (until its too late). Make sure to use your emergency brake if you park your H3 with stuff disconnected....or with both front wheels off the ground. The "PARK" gear will not do anything in this state. This is because "PARK" merely locks the front and rear output shafts together. Because the shafts normally turn in opposite directions...when you lock them together, the wheels on the pavement are the only thing that keeps the vehicle from moving. It doesn't actually lock the rear driveshaft in place like a normal 2wd car. Instead the rubber on the pavement becomes the actual lock. The fact that the front tires cannot roll in the same direction as the rear tires is the only thing that creates "PARK". Once you separate the tires from the pavement...you have no PARK anymore. This is especially important to know when jacking up an H3...ALWAYS CHALK THE WHEELS because "PARK" will be disabled as soon as the rubber leaves the pavement.

If you pick up either end of an H3...it is free to roll, even in PARK!
If you disconnect either driveshaft on an H3...it is free to roll, even in PARK!

So be aware if you unload it on a sloping parking lot. You will not have PARK with a driveshaft disconnected or with the front wheels on the dolly.

 

[Fireguy]

Thank you Reloader and 4speedfunk. Great advice. Keep you posted on how things go.

 

[Fireguy]

Took my setup on its first trip. Disconnected the driveshaft,tied it up and wrapped tape around the u-joints. Everything went without a problem. Took about 7 minutes to reconnect everything when I got to our campsite.

 

[Neo]

good to hear you made it without any problems :cheers:

 

[Fireguy]

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[Fireguy]

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