Hi, I have a 2006 Buick Rainier AWD. According to Remco I need to install a transmission lube pump to flat tow. $895 plus six hours labor to install.My question is I read on their QA page that if the pump fails while towing to start the vehicle and let it idle while towing. So if that would work, I am thinking that for the few times I would be flat towing (max 2 hours each way per trip) could I just start the vehicle and put it in neutral for the trip?Does anyone do this? Am I crazy?

I do this all the time with my 2005 Ford Focus. Remco and Ford say it is not tow able. I have been towing it since 2009 and now have over 104,000 miles on it with no problems. Last fall I sent in an Oil Sample to Blackstone Labs and they said I should change my oil in the next few thousand miles as it is approaching the limits on some tests. This is the original Transmission oil in the car when I bought it new in Feb 05, Ford recommends 30,000 Oil Changes in the Transmission. One thing I did do was add an additional Oil Pressure Switch to the engine and ran the wires up to a Power Plug in the coach drivers bay. I plug in an Amber Magnetic Tow Truck Strobe light and when the engine is not running the light flashes. This will warn me if my engine quits and allow me to pull over before I ruin the transmission. Never has quit on me yet and always reminds me to start the engine before I roll. In the winter I use the Strobe light on my Tractor when I am moving Snow so anyone will have a chance of seeing me after dark. Good luck and enjoy the towing.

Wow. Now that is some serious dedication on towing a car that is not towable 4 down! Interesting that it can be done.

Hi,One problem with letting a engine idle for a long time (like the 2 hour drive) is the quantity of oil going up to the valve train. It is just not as much lubrication as a engine running 2,000 RPM or so. But the oil pressure is fine, just the gallons per hour going up to the top end is less than normal.Fred.

Golden_HVAC wrote:Hi,One problem with letting a engine idle for a long time (like the 2 hour drive) is the quantity of oil going up to the valve train. It is just not as much lubrication as a engine running 2,000 RPM or so. But the oil pressure is fine, just the gallons per hour going up to the top end is less than normal.Fred.I do stop at least once an hour, so I could run the transmission through the gears and rev up the engine.Also, does anyone know if my odometer will log the miles?

If the transmission is in neutral I suspect not. Boy I would not want to chance ruining my transmission doing this. Either get the lube kit or trade vehicles is what I would do.

Towing with engine running? | Good Sam Community

sundancer268
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
Yes the miles will register.
WILDEBILL308
Explorer II
May 14, 2014
trnfla wrote:
Golden_HVAC wrote:
Hi,

One problem with letting a engine idle for a long time (like the 2 hour drive) is the quantity of oil going up to the valve train. It is just not as much lubrication as a engine running 2,000 RPM or so. But the oil pressure is fine, just the gallons per hour going up to the top end is less than normal.

Fred.

I do stop at least once an hour, so I could run the transmission through the gears and rev up the engine.

Also, does anyone know if my odometer will log the miles?

Can't you tell??? wright the mileage down before you leave then check it when you arrive.
Bill
trnfla
Explorer
May 10, 2014
Dutch_12078 wrote:
Some snowbirds have been towing automatic tranny cars to Florida and back using the engine idle method for years. I'm sure a couple of transmissions have been fried here and there when an engine stalled, but overall it seems to have been successful for most doing it. A calculated risk...

Thanks, I really thought about switching vehicles but I would have to buy a used vehicle and deal if the unknown.
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
May 10, 2014
Some snowbirds have been towing automatic tranny cars to Florida and back using the engine idle method for years. I'm sure a couple of transmissions have been fried here and there when an engine stalled, but overall it seems to have been successful for most doing it. A calculated risk...
trnfla
Explorer
May 09, 2014
traveylin wrote:
The op from Fla sez he will only tow it for 2 hours a couple times a year. Why not just have the DW drive it and avoid the tow bar and baseplate cost also.
pops

DW is leaving... :(
traveylin
Explorer
May 09, 2014
The op from Fla sez he will only tow it for 2 hours a couple times a year. Why not just have the DW drive it and avoid the tow bar and baseplate cost also.
pops
rockhillmanor
Explorer
May 09, 2014
Medico wrote:
If the transmission is in neutral I suspect not. Boy I would not want to chance ruining my transmission doing this. Either get the lube kit or trade vehicles is what I would do.

On my toad I have to stop every 250 miles to run it. Did just that for for more than I'd like to admit before I reread the instructions that I was supposed to put the transfer case back into 2wd when I started it. Luckily it did no damage to the trans all the times I faithfully started it without putting it back into 2wd during the run time. :R
mowermech
Explorer
May 09, 2014
trnfla wrote:
Golden_HVAC wrote:
Hi,

One problem with letting a engine idle for a long time (like the 2 hour drive) is the quantity of oil going up to the valve train. It is just not as much lubrication as a engine running 2,000 RPM or so. But the oil pressure is fine, just the gallons per hour going up to the top end is less than normal.

Fred.

I do stop at least once an hour, so I could run the transmission through the gears and rev up the engine.

Also, does anyone know if my odometer will log the miles?

Probably.
Personally, I would get a vehicle that is towable four down or on a dolly without any modifications!
Medico
Explorer II
May 09, 2014
If the transmission is in neutral I suspect not. Boy I would not want to chance ruining my transmission doing this. Either get the lube kit or trade vehicles is what I would do.
trnfla
Explorer
May 09, 2014
Golden_HVAC wrote:
Hi,

One problem with letting a engine idle for a long time (like the 2 hour drive) is the quantity of oil going up to the valve train. It is just not as much lubrication as a engine running 2,000 RPM or so. But the oil pressure is fine, just the gallons per hour going up to the top end is less than normal.

Fred.

I do stop at least once an hour, so I could run the transmission through the gears and rev up the engine.

Also, does anyone know if my odometer will log the miles?

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