towing a Wrangler

I have towed my Wrangler (YJ) a few thousand miles, and never had a problem. The transfer case will stay in neutral by itself. To verify that the tcase is in neutral, put the transmission in gear, and let out the clutch. Nothing should happen. The transmission should be in gear, unless you want to have some expensive repairs. Also unlock the steering wheel, or you will be sorry.

Earle

I've flat towed my TJ all over, hundreds of miles. It's never "popped" out of neutral, in the transfer case. Can't see how. I put the tranny in 2nd, key in and not locked. Put the transmission in GEAR. Make sure the key is in UNLOCK. You can cup tires. For the record, I have 35" MTRs and they are worn even, no odd ball wearing. I'm going to Death Valley in October and I will rotate them. before. Yep, I need a trailer. Lucky so far.

Andy

Question: What does leaving it in gear do? In other words, why is it good to be in gear and also why is it bad to be out of gear? I might be doing this sometime soon.... Thanx. Curious Tomes

Makes sense. Thanks Bill.

What about this: I just got a trailer for my truck to haul my jeep long distances with... Should I strap it down to the trailer by the axles or the frame? I'm thinking of putting it in gear and using the parking brake also...

By the frame! Tight, compressing the suspension as much as possible. Being in gear, parking brake, will have no effect in an emergency situation, use the proper chains and tools to hold it down.

The transfer case is not going to shift gears. It doesn't shift half of the time when you want it to, what makes you think it will decide to shift on its own?

Put the trans in 1 or R. The goal here is to keep the trans from spinning due to input through the output shaft that shouldn't be turning if the tcase is in N, but sometimes will float. Setting the trans to P - if an automatic - or 1 or R will hold the trans still, which will hold the input shaft of the tcase still.

Be sure to remember to unlock the steering. If you want to be sure the steering wheel remains straight ahead, you can use a bungie cord that lets the tires turn while going around a corner, but pulls back to center and resist wandering. My CJ never wandered though, and using a bungie cord isn't necessary.

I held my CJ by the rear axle and the front tow hooks. The axles was easier to get to in the back, and the tow hooks worked best on the front. There will be an arguement that the Jeep can bounce enough to come lose from the tow hooks, or that if you pull down against them then you'll flatten the springs. I never had one, or noticed the other.

When holding by the rear axle, you need to be sure to not smash a brake line.

A Jeep on a trailer is nothing like a Jeep struck in mud or on a rock.

If you are using a chain tightener to twist the axle out of the spring perches, then you are using too much muscle on the chain tensioner. The goal is to hold the vehicle from falling off the trailer, not rip the parts off. Remember, the tightening mechanism is pulling down against the tires.

As luck would have it, my BMW has been on a flatbed, and they tied it down by the rims because my rims have large spaces where the straps can fit through. But, this is apples and oranges.