Towing a 1999 1500 5.7 automatic transmission

I am in the process of getting another Suburban, wondering how to best tow it on a rather long trip, do I need to just put everything in neutral and go or is that not the proper way to move it

stpat said:

I am in the process of getting another Suburban, wondering how to best tow it on a rather long trip, do I need to just put everything in neutral and go or is that not the proper way to move it

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Flat towing in neutral will smoke the transmission. You need to remove the driveshaft. It is 4 bolts. I would put it on a flat deck trailer myself.

L31MaxExpress said:

Flat towing in neutral will smoke the transmission. You need to remove the driveshaft. It is 4 bolts. I would put it on a flat deck trailer myself.

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Would a tow dolly work or do I still need to remove the driveshaft?

stpat said:

Would a tow dolly work or do I still need to remove the driveshaft?

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Tow dolly takes the front tires off the ground but the rears are still turning. The oil pump for the trans in on the input shaft, so if the motor isn't turning with the trans then there will be no oil flow, aka smoke your trans. You can do it for short distances if need be but for long distance, either disconnect the driveshaft or get all 4 tires off the ground.

Side note, if you disconnect the drive shaft, you can tow it in park. With no drive shaft connecting the trans to the ground, what gear you are in doesn't really make a difference.

When I said flat tow it should have stated rear wheels on the ground. I forget about dollies that lift the front wheels because I never use them.

And just some "gotchas" to cover - if you disconnect the driveshaft at the rear end, take care to leave it in the transmission so you don't spill the fluid everywhere. That means tie it up out of the way. I'd use some strong baling wire looped into the rear yoke tied up into the frame, pulling slightly forward so the slip yoke can't pop out of the transmission. And, wrap a few loops of masking tape around the u-joint caps so they don't fall off.

I think we're all assuming it's a RWD Suburban since you didn't mention. You did say "put everything in neutral" so maybe it's 4WD and you mean the transfer case? If so, is it pushbutton or mechanical shift? Let us know, and the 4WD guys can respond as to whether it's OK to flat tow like that - I personally wouldn't know.

Richard

Sounds like I need to just plan on pulling a trailer, that will keep all the unknowns down. Whatever the towed vehicle will be 4X4, no sense taking 2W up the Alcan. Thanks to all for the help, Patrick

If you put the transfer case in neutral you can flat tow all day. . .

stpat said:

Sounds like I need to just plan on pulling a trailer, that will keep all the unknowns down. Whatever the towed vehicle will be 4X4, no sense taking 2W up the Alcan. Thanks to all for the help, Patrick

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No problem on the Alcan with 2WD. Just sayin..

stpat said:

Sounds like I need to just plan on pulling a trailer, that will keep all the unknowns down. Whatever the towed vehicle will be 4X4, no sense taking 2W up the Alcan. Thanks to all for the help, Patrick

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4x4 with electronic pushbutton transfer case will tow all wheels on the ground Check your owners manual.