Anybody ever flat tow a 1st gen S-10 2wd manual?

[krue]

The owner's manual says not to on my 93 w/2.8l 5speed, but I have trouble believing it would do any damage. Are they just covering their butts are will it kill the transmission?

[72c20customcamper]

I believe the mt doesn’t get lubed unless it’s in gear . Recommended to be trailered or remove the driveshaft

[LONGHAIR]

I suppose it depends on how far you are talking about. If you are just going from one place to another "across town" etc. it will be fine. The lube will circulate the same as it does by driving. It doesn't matter which end of the transmission is making the internals spin.
It's flat towing automatics that is a problem. The pump which circulates/pressurizes the system is not being turned w/o the engine running.
That said, I don't know that I would tow it all over the country behind a motorhome? Most of the time, I see that being done with a front wheel drive car that is up on a dolly, so only the rear wheels roll.

[72c20customcamper]

If it's a t5 do not flat tow without removing the driveshaft . GM and Ford say not to as does the tremic for there t5 . The center shaft turns but does not throw sufficient gear lube to lubricate the transmission on rear wheel drive vehicles

From service bulletin #00-00-89-008F
Rear wheel drive vehicles, equipped with AT or MT, should NOT be dinghy towed. These transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication while being towed. In order to properly tow these vehicles, place the vehicle on a platform trailer with all four tires off the ground. Avoid towing the vehicle with all four tires on the ground. In rare instances when it is unavoidable that a rear wheel drive vehicle be dinghy towed, the propeller shaft to axle yoke orientation should be marked and the propeller shaft removed. Refer to the applicable Service Manual for procedures on propeller shaft removal/installation

https://www.justanswer.com/chevy/3vd...nsmission.html

[Sheepdip]

[URL="http://https://justfortowing.com/remco_driveline_disconnect.html"[/url]

https://justfortowing.com/remco_driv...isconnect.html

My buddy had a little Chevy version of the Suzuki Samuri that could not be flat towed because of no transmission lubrication to the rear bearing and this was the "Fix" he towed that thing everywhere behind his motorhome.

You measure your existing driveline and they fabricate and ship you a replacement with the cable operated disconnect added in.

[krue]

So am I crazy if the next thing that pops into my head is to have the truck idling while I tow it.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by krue

So am I crazy if the next thing that pops into my head is to have the truck idling while I tow it.

I bet it's been done before, but I'd be worried about getting enough proper air flow to keep it cool being that close behind the tow vehicle. Since it's a 2wd, popping the driveshaft off at the rear axle shouldn't be too hard, then just ratchet strap it up out of the way in a couple spots

[krue]

That's what I'm gonna wind up doing. Trying to low buck this, have been section hiking the Appalachian Trail, by myself and the shuttle fees are adding up. Figure I tow my S-10 behind my Yukon and not only do I avoid shuttle fees, I can cut the weight I'm carrying by resupplying more often.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by krue

So am I crazy if the next thing that pops into my head is to have the truck idling while I tow it.

Will do nothing for a manual transmission no gears spinning just the center shaft will spin no lube to the bearings as the gears on that particular trans feed the bearings with the spin off. Automatic its feasible I wouldn't do it though

I wouldn't tow my Chevelle flat with the muncie either, reason being the input shaft spins with clutch out which spins the cluster gear which lubes the transmission. Engine not running imputed shaft doesn't spin its spin is directly related to the engine spinning it .

Have people towed them long distance without noticable damage yes but in short I wont chance it

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by krue

That's what I'm gonna wind up doing. Trying to low buck this, have been section hiking the Appalachian Trail, by myself and the shuttle fees are adding up. Figure I tow my S-10 behind my Yukon and not only do I avoid shuttle fees, I can cut the weight I'm carrying by resupplying more often.

Takes 10 minutes to pull the driveshaft get a plastic plug for the trans yoke to keep the fluid from leaking out . Most transmission shops have them or can get them for you .

How far are you towing it anyway ?

[61_FL_Apache]

Check out this link about 'toad' towing. Its an RV related forum.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/

[krue]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

Takes 10 minutes to pull the driveshaft get a plastic plug for the trans yoke to keep the fluid from leaking out . Most transmission shops have them or can get them for you .

How far are you towing it anyway ?

It's about 8 hours to where I am currently hiking from home and I am getting further away with every trip.

[krue]

Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache

Check out this link about 'toad' towing. Its an RV related forum.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/

Thanks for the link, I will kill some time reading over there.