Dolly towing

[tugskipper]

I recently purchased another jeep and it has rear end issues. My son has a car trailer but his vehicle is down right now and I need to move it. So, has anyone ever tried to tow a TJ backwards? I'm going to be moving it about 500 miles.
Let me know what you think. And especially let me know if you have actually done it, not just speculation.
Thanks,
Gary

 

[macleanflood]

No I have not towed a TJ backwards on a tow dolly. I have a lot of towing and vehicle experience. I wouldn't risk it.

-Mac

 

[Moglocker]

I recently purchased another jeep and it has rear end issues. My son has a car trailer but his vehicle is down right now and I need to move it. So, has anyone ever tried to tow a TJ backwards? I'm going to be moving it about 500 miles.
Let me know what you think. And especially let me know if you have actually done it, not just speculation.
Thanks,
Gary

U haul trailer

 

[Blue Clearwater]

And especially let me know if you have actually done it, not just speculation.

I've never towed any vehicle backwards on a tow dolly, because it won't work. This isn't speculation. The steering needs to be unlocked when a vehicle is on a dolly, unless you never intend to turn.

 

[Ashim]

Years ago while out wheeling, someone broke the rear axle shaft on a Dana 35 and the shaft started walking out of the rear end. A friend that lived nearby came out with a truck and tow dolly. They put the rear wheels on the tow dolly, tied the steering wheel down, trans in gear, TC in neutral and towed it back to the Jeep owner's home 100 miles away. No problems that I'm aware of.

 

[CharlesHS]

Depending upon the weight of the vehicle you are planning to use; there would be instability (tail wagging the dog).
IF you are set on doing this; I would pay attention to the speed you drive and keep an eye on the positioning of the trailered vehicle while driving.
As others have responded... not a good idea to attempt towing a Jeep backwards.

 

[tugskipper]

I have towed dozens of vehicles on a dolly including my first yj (over 800 miles) with the steering locked. Not sure what your point is on that subject. I'm Not talking about a tow bar which you have to have the steering unlocked. On a dolly the forward wheels are on the dolly with wheels.

I've never towed any vehicle backwards on a tow dolly, because it won't work. This isn't speculation. The steering needs to be unlocked when a vehicle is on a dolly, unless you never intend to turn.

 

[tugskipper]

Years ago while out wheeling, someone broke the rear axle shaft on a Dana 35 and the shaft started walking out of the rear end. A friend that lived nearby came out with a truck and tow dolly. They put the rear wheels on the tow dolly, tied the steering wheel down, trans in gear, TC in neutral and towed it back to the Jeep owner's home 100 miles away. No problems that I'm aware of.

Thanks, that's what I was thinking, I'm just a little worried about the way the weight is distributed. Heavier on the stern verses the bow possibly causing some swaying.

 

[lBasket]

It costed me like 112$ to rent a u haul car hauler for a day

 

[tugskipper]

Ok that's the point of using the dolly, so I don't have to pull the weight of the trailer and the jeep through the mountains of NC with my 2.5 yj. It will pull the dolly and jeep ok I've done it before

 

[lBasket]

Rent a truck too then, that sounds like a disaster waiting to happen

 

[Tob]

The little YJ that could


Reality check - the tow rating of a YJ is 2,000 lbs. For the sake of everyone’s safety, don’t be that guy.