Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Would it be possible to tow a tractor in neutral?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Powell-Peralta, Aug 17, 2011.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Aug 17, 2011 #1
    Powell-Peralta

    Powell-Peralta Road Train Member

    1,585
    240
    Jul 17, 2007
    0
    When i see a tractor being towed, either by a wrecker or in decked operations the axles of any rear wheels touching the ground are removed. i understand why this is done ( i think?).

    But i'm wondering, and let's assume we are talking about a single axle tractor for now, would it be possible to tow by simply leaving the transmission in neutral?
     
    Powell-Peralta, Aug 17, 2011
    Powell-Peralta, Aug 17, 2011
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Aug 17, 2011 #2
    Onetruckpony

    Onetruckpony Medium Load Member

    544
    372
    Jun 11, 2011
    0
    A huge NO!
    I Towed trucks for years.
    The drive shaft or axle must be removed to keep the tranny from turning.
    I have seen them literally explode in as little as 1 mile.
     
    Onetruckpony, Aug 17, 2011
    Onetruckpony, Aug 17, 2011
    #2
    zebcohobo and The Challenger Thank this.
  4. Aug 17, 2011 #3
    lovesthedrive

    lovesthedrive R.I.P.

    15,953
    54,483
    Nov 11, 2008
    Sorrento Maine
    0
    It is possible to tow any vehicle. the problem lays in stopping said vehicles.
     
    lovesthedrive, Aug 17, 2011
    lovesthedrive, Aug 17, 2011
    #3
  5. Aug 18, 2011 #4
    power freak

    power freak Light Load Member

    220
    60
    Apr 23, 2009
    0
    The problem is if u do not disconnect either the driveshaft or the axles you are turning the transmition and without the engine running there is no lubrication going to the back bearing and will shortly destroy it.
     
    power freak, Aug 18, 2011
    power freak, Aug 18, 2011
    #4
  7. Aug 18, 2011 #5
    Powell-Peralta

    Powell-Peralta Road Train Member

    1,585
    240
    Jul 17, 2007
    0
    i.c.; So truck transmission are different from car/ light truck transmissions?
     
    Powell-Peralta, Aug 18, 2011
    Powell-Peralta, Aug 18, 2011
    #5
  8. Aug 18, 2011 #6
    Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

    7,604
    1,642
    Oct 11, 2010
    Borispol, Ukraine
    0
    the usual problem is that transmission is not lubricated well and it is not enought, drivers shift range lever down and tow truck. and countershaft spins very fast and as result transmission is ruined inside.

    So if you wanna tow a mile ore a bit more - shift range lever up (if there is air in system), if more - disconnect DS. It is not so difficult.

    About brakes - tow truck with solid connection, like towing bar ore dolly axe, not on cabel and be carefull
     
    Pablo-UA, Aug 18, 2011
    Pablo-UA, Aug 18, 2011
    #6
  9. Aug 18, 2011 #7
    lovesthedrive

    lovesthedrive R.I.P.

    15,953
    54,483
    Nov 11, 2008
    Sorrento Maine
    0
    Probably why when ever my truck was towed (Western Express) they lifted the drives.
     
    lovesthedrive, Aug 18, 2011
    lovesthedrive, Aug 18, 2011
    #7
  10. Aug 18, 2011 #8
    the gambler

    the gambler Medium Load Member

    330
    245
    Feb 14, 2011
    Kentucky
    0
    Also trucks will be towed from the rear. Just towing a tractor with the right equipment doesn't require any extra braking, but when town loaded straight dump trucks or cement trucks a brake buddy is used, or towing a tractor trailer combo the tow truck will run a supply and service air line to the trailer. When I was towing if we towed anything from the front any further than pulling it out from under the trailer the drive shaft or axle came out.
     
    the gambler, Aug 18, 2011
    the gambler, Aug 18, 2011
    #8
  11. Aug 18, 2011 #9
    RAGE 18

    RAGE 18 Road Train Member

    1,529
    941
    Jan 31, 2011
    GOLD£N☆STAT£
    0
    10_4 the differential must be removed on a 2 axle.I towed a truck from New Mexico to Cali i proped the drives on 6"blocks dumped the air and chained it tight then aired the bags up and stuck 6" wood blocks on the rear between frame and axle and dropped the air and chained it tight the rear axle was a tag axle so it didnt have a differential so it made it easy.If it would've been a working axle do you still remove the differential or as long as the axle lock is off is ok?Nice thread by the way.
     
    RAGE 18, Aug 18, 2011
    RAGE 18, Aug 18, 2011
    #9
  12. Aug 18, 2011 #10
    Prairie Boy

    Prairie Boy Road Train Member

    3,258
    1,913
    Nov 18, 2010
    Edmonton, AB
    0
    Remove the Differential ???????????? Not an easy job alongside the road.
     
    Prairie Boy, Aug 18, 2011
    Prairie Boy, Aug 18, 2011
    #10
    American-Trucker Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 3