Flat towing questions...

[19bonestock88]

I have a semi urgent inquiry... My friend has a late nineties escort that hasn't any brakes at all, and he asked me if I could tow it to a repair shop for it to be repaired... Being that I don't have a suitable trailer, I figured to flat tow the car with his tow bar... I figure I have enough power to move the car, and enough brakes to stop it, given that I don't attempt any speed records whilst towing, but can the car be flat towed without transaxle damage? The distance is about 35 miles, and speed limits on the local roads doesn't exceed 55 mph... It's an automatic transaxle, I know it has to be in neutral, but is it safe for such a distance? What about with the engine idling? Any ideas?

 

[martin]

I can't answer you question but I can offer an opinion, if it was me I would rent a dolly, preferably one with brakes.

 

[19bonestock88]

The dolly wouldn't really help me, my truck isn't wired for a trailer or it's brakes...

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Look in the glovebox book or maybe online manual. The ones I have tell you whether you can tow and how.

Richard

 

[martin]

I did some looking online and it's not recommended to flat tow the automatic. I towed my daughters cavalier on my dolly (no brakes) with my b2 and my explorer a few times. Didn't even feel it on the back until was time to stop and then you have to be really careful, otherwise no problem.

 

[19bonestock88]

Yeah, I read that it's not good to flat tow the automatic, but if necessary, damage could be avoided by idling the engine? Still not sure...

 

[3.0ranger1227]

Engine idling would be better than off. The issue with an auto is there is no fluid flow with the engine off, so in neutral but shut down the gears will spin freely but not get proper lubrication. Engine running will keep the fluid flow going and you should be okay.