TOW TRUCK

[M_GO_BLUE1]

My 1-ton dually 4WD diesel pickup needs to be towed to the dealership...

The tow truck driver showed up with a regular (not flat bed) two truck and plans on towing it with the front hooked up...

I ALWAYS THOUGHT A TRUCK THAT SIZE WITH 4WD NEEDS A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK...is that true? and also with the way he is proposing it can it be towed the way he is proposing to tow it?

[UsualSuspect]

M GO BLUE wrote:
My 1-ton dually 4WD diesel pickup needs to be towed to the dealership...

The tow truck driver showed up with a regular (not flat bed) two truck and plans on towing it with the front hooked up...

I ALWAYS THOUGHT A TRUCK THAT SIZE WITH 4WD NEEDS A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK...is that true? and also with the way he is proposing it can it be towed the way he is proposing to tow it?

I flat tow my 07 LBZ behind the DP, so I don't see why it can't be towed a few miles to the dealership. The owners manual has section on towing.

[Jarlaxle]

rhagfo wrote:
Well you all missed the fact that any vehicle can be dolly towed! Front wheels in the sling, and the rear supported on the four wheel tow dolly all tow truck carry.

None of the dollies I used would accommodate a dually!

[Jarlaxle]

M GO BLUE wrote:
My 1-ton dually 4WD diesel pickup needs to be towed to the dealership...

The tow truck driver showed up with a regular (not flat bed) two truck and plans on towing it with the front hooked up...

I ALWAYS THOUGHT A TRUCK THAT SIZE WITH 4WD NEEDS A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK...is that true? and also with the way he is proposing it can it be towed the way he is proposing to tow it?

Pull the driveshaft or put the T-case in neutral (don't know if that is OK on your truck) and go. No problem, done it many times.

[hbensley]

I just had my signature truck flatbed towed Tuesday night. The -2* weather and gelled fuel. The rear fuel filter heater had to be turned on by reprogramming the ECM.
It was a tight fit but my truck just barely fit. The Mega Cab is 9" shorter wheelbase than a crew cab long bed if that is what you have.

[BurbMan]

So what was the final outcome with the tow truck? You also never mentioned WHY the dually was being towed to the dealer....

[rhagfo]

Well you all missed the fact that any vehicle can be dolly towed! Front wheels in the sling, and the rear supported on the four wheel tow dolly all tow truck carry.

[KD4UPL]

I too can't believe a tow truck driver would wait around for internet forum responders to tell him how to do his job.
In fact, if I were him I'd just leave because the customer was trying to tell me how to do my job.
There's no problem towing a truck, any truck, with the rear wheels on the ground and the front elevated. You just have to put the transmission or transfer case or both in neutral.

[carringb]

Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
Bryan don't you mean that the transfer case needs to be in neutral to tow with the transmission in park?

Yes if towing from the front. If you tow from the rear, the drive wheels aren't moving anyways as long as its in 2wd (Neutral is fine too until the operator forgets when they set it down and it takes off on its own.... even worse when the operator jumps out of the tow truck to chase the runaway, but the tow-truck is still in drive, and he now has two runaways in opposite directions!) Note I'm only referring to the NV271. Any of the "Auto 4WD" T-cases need to be flat-bed hauled or the driveline dropped, and even some full-time 4WD T-cases cannot towed even in Neutral unless they are 4-down.

[millertime]

a little over a year ago I had to have my 2002 2500 towed because of a starter problem. They sent a flatbed . My truck weighs 6600#
long story short, the cable broke after the truck was on top of the bed. Truck bounced into 2 parked cars. I had a little discussion with the driver re: maintenance of the cable. He got a compound fracture of his arm after the truck ran over his arm. It damaged both bumpers,trailer hitch , 1 tire, 1 rim,
I had long discussions with the Dodge dealer re: repairs, alignment, suspension, etc. Over a year later truck runs good , no problems.

Chuck aka Grumpy

[rhagfo]

4X4 just put the transfer case in neutral. If you have front manual hubs place in Unlocked.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

Bryan don't you mean that the transfer case needs to be in neutral to tow with the transmission in park? Repoed a few 4X4 trucks in the day by simply hooking up and shifting the t-case into neutral. Takes the transmission out of the equation.

Don

[nevadanick]

They have insurance, dont worry about it.

[BurbMan]

My Suburban barely fit on a flatbed, both length and width, doubtful a dually would fit. As Bryan said, have them either shift the transfer case to neutral or lift it from the back. To shift to neutral turn the ignition on (don't start the engine but assume that's not an issue if it's getting towed LOL), step on the brake to put the shifter in neutral, and hold the 2HI and 4LO buttons for 10 seconds until the red neutral light comes on.

Reminder, Park will no longer hold it from rolling if the t-case is in neutral.

[RoyF]

Have had f530 towed front wheels up; drive shaft was removed before towing.