Leaving TOAD running while pulling

[stugpanzer]

I have a 2007 Chrysler Town and Country which I tow on a dolly and I would like to flat tow. In order to flat tow it would require a Lube Pump but I have been told another option is to leave the van running while pulling. Is anybody doing this when pulling a TOAD? I struggle with the cost of the Remco pump and other goodies to flat tow vs the value of the vehicle! I really want to hear from those that run their toads while pulling. Thanks!

[dodge_guy]

What kind of wear would idling an engine do as opposed to driving in stop and go city traffic! As long as the pump is pumping in N then it wouldn’t be an issue.

[Dutch_12078]

Years ago it was a fairly common practice among snowbirds, but today's cars are significantly different and don't handle idling for hours at a time that well. We've towed two automatic 4WD Toyota RAV 4's for a total of close to 50,000 miles now with the same Remco lube pump installed with no significant problems. Our first RAV4 toad was a 2002 that we towed almost 30,000 miles and it's still in service as a spare car we keep at our upstate NY family cottage. The only transmission problem its ever had was a broken shift cable that had nothing to do with towing it. At sub-32℉ temps, we sometimes start the RAV with the remote start fob to warm up the tranny fluid some before towing. Occasionally the RAV will still be running when we head down the road, but times out a few minutes later.

[way2roll]

Sounds risky. Aside from engine wear, it's just not good or efficient to run an engine at idle for hours on end. And what happens if it shuts off for some reason or over heats? If you tow with a dolly now I would continue to do so until you had a car that could be towed 4 down. The little hassle in using a dolly outweighs the risk of trying to tow it 4 down and buying all the equipment to do so anyway. It wouldn't be just the pump, but bars, baseplate, installation, wiring etc. Thousands. Possibly worth more than the van.

[ScottG]

I would never put that kind of wear on an engine.

[IB853347201]

Back in the early 2000's, I had a Ford that required a lube pump to tow 4 wheels down.
On the advice of a few, I towed it with the engine running about 600 miles.
Long story short, didn't work, had to replace the traany.

[oldave]

I remember reading of a snowbirder towing his big ol Lincoln back and
forth from Florida to up north somewhere with the engine running .

[rgatijnet1]

First I would check if the idling engine is actually pumping transmission fluid with the transmission in neutral.

[janstey58]

I wouldn't be a fan of constantly idling my tow car for hours. I don't think that would be good for the longevity of the engine??