Towing
 

Hello. We have a 96 4x4 Cherokee auto and want to tow it to Michigan from Alabama. Our question is can it be towed using a tow dolly with rear wheels on the highway?

Yes. There is a specific combination of transmission and transfer case you need to set. Google knows.

You put the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in PARK.

THIS IS IMPORTANT or you can cook your transmission as the fluid in the trans is not being pumped up to the radiator for cooling. The transfer case has gear oil and does not need to be cooled.

I have pondered this myself. With a manual transmission, would it need to be in neutral?

I would think no but still wouldnt hurt to put it in first.

????

What?

With front wheels stationary on a dolly and rear wheels spinning on the highway is very hard on the transfer case, even in neutral. If you must use a dolly, then remove the rear driveshaft. Only other option is to use a towbar and keep all 4 on the ground. Then transfer case in neutral and trans in park.

The first correct answer^^^is here.

4 wheels down are is the only I tow my Jeeps unless I trailer the XJ. A tow bar works very well.

I was always told a dolly is for short trips,For long trips flat tow or on a full trailer.Another option is a shipping company let them move it for you.

Not to be counted on. SPEED is the killing factor of dolly towing.

I owned a towing company from 1992 through 2005.

Don't risk it!!

How is this better than transfer case neutral on a dolly? I don't see how having the front wheels on the ground makes it any easier on the transfer case. When in neutral, is there somehow still stress on it when the front and rear aren't spinning at the same speed? In all these years, I've honestly never familiarized myself with the mechanical "behavior" of our transfer cases' neutral.

They were designed to be flat towed.

When the xj is on the dolly, the front end is 10 1/2 inches higher than it is on the ground. This keeps the oil in the back third of the t case. Flat tow and the T case is in normal orientation and the oil gets thrown to all parts of the t case just as if it were under power.