Towing TJ 600 miles

[DylanM]

I have flat-towed my jeeps well in excess of 100K miles over the years, and have never disconnected a driveshaft…you absolutely can though…

I think you missed the part where the OP mentioned the vehicle that needs to be moved is stuck in 4WD and has a blown transmission.

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[yoda13]

I think you missed the part where the OP mentioned the vehicle that needs to be moved is stuck in 4WD and has a blown transmission.

…yes, I did

 

[JS52]

Do you have the overland that goes 4000 or 6000 pounds? If it’s the 6K tow, I’d pull it myself.

That is a great question, I assumed all overlands were 6K.

 

[AstroZombie]

Just remove both drive shafts. You can then flat tow or haul with a dolly for any distance you wish without worry about damage to the transmission or transfer case.

doesn't the TJ have a slip yoke> if you remove the driveshaft you would have to keep the slip yoke in somehow to keep the fluid from leaking out. Just use transfer case neutral. Flat towing would be your best option. IMO

 

[DylanM]

doesn't the TJ have a slip yoke> if you remove the driveshaft you would have to keep the slip yoke in somehow to keep the fluid from leaking out. Just use transfer case neutral. Flat towing would be your best option. IMO

The TJ 231 tcase does have a slip yoke, yes, but unlike the version used previously in the YJ it doesn't rely on the slip yoke's surface to seal -- the case output shaft seal is forward of the yoke. As such you can safely remove the rear shaft without losing fluid. Also, the 241OR case in the TJ Rubicon has a fixed yoke, so no problem there either.

Flat towing with the transfer case in neutral is not an option for the OP. Again, they stated it is stuck in 4WD.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

doesn't the TJ have a slip yoke> if you remove the driveshaft you would have to keep the slip yoke in somehow to keep the fluid from leaking out. Just use transfer case neutral. Flat towing would be your best option. IMO

All TJs have a seal and the rear driveshaft can be removed without losing fluid.

The Rubicon models like the OP's have a fixed yoke.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

I'm sorry, but did you say 15 miles at 23%??! I'm assuming thats both up and down over 15 miles? Regardless, that steep of a grade is really going to tax a gasser on 35s, and on the downslope I would really recommend a trailer with electric brakes. I'm not even sure what gear is going to be ideal for downhill at that grade.

 

[Lost1wing]

Lots of uninformed advice in here.

1. UHaul generally maintains their trailers pretty well.

2. Surge brakes are built-in. No controller needed for your JT.

3. You have no options for weight balance and where you put the TJ on the UHaul "auto transport" trailer. You must drive it all the way forward to get the front wheels in place to strap them down. As such, those UHaul "auto transports" tend to overdo it on tongue weight compared to how you'd load a typical flat, wide-open car hauler trailer. You'd have that flexibility with that "toy hauler" trailer someone else linked, but it weighs 900lbs more.

No! Uhaul does not maintain their trailers. They may check lights and tires. Never brakes and safety chains are always ground down and don't expect them to check surge brakes. It's not going to happen. The main locations may have a tech on duty. He is tied up with truck checks and doing things they get paid for by corporate. A third party franchise will point you to the direction of where the trailer is parked.

You do have options on where you strap the jeep down on the Uhaul trailer. You may not be able to use the strap on the trailer, but you can use your own straps just as if you were strapping it on an equipment trailer. Tongue weight is important. I just don't know what a TJ on a Uhaul trailer tongue weight will be.

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

To the OP: You maybe are putting the cart before the horse; UHaul probably won't rent to you a trailer with that JT /UHUAL/TJ configuration that you mentioned. Unless you have an insider line somehow. UHAUL takes tow capability very seriously. Did you talk to UHaul and did they approve of your tow vehicle - trailer - TJ arraignment? I am guessing that they won't approve.

If you pull the driveshafts, and put the key in the ignition on the TJ. And spend the money on a TJ towbar and lighting, you are still into some money. In other words; by Flat towing it.

If I were you, I would hire a pro and have it safely delivered. Unless it's just a few miles.

Last time I checked, 2 years ago or so: It was in the $800 to $1,000 range to have my Dodge Challenger transported by a licensed commercial company. With insurance. Port to port. 2,000 miles.

I bought a big trailer instead because I need it for other equipment.

I have a 3/4 ton and a large trailer for these types of situations. They don't come up often, but I am covered when they do. But even my 3/4 ton is limited to what I can drag because of the trailer weight.

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

It’ll do it. That said-if you’ve never hauled a load like that ever then you should just leave it up to the pros.

 

[arosen1997]

We would typically flat tow it but its stuck in 4WD and has a blown trans so we are trying to avoid any additional damage so we want to trailer it.

Pull the driveshafts and flat tow it for sure my friend. Drive safe, take your time, and you'll be fine.

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

This is how you do it, by getting it transported and you don't have to drive anywhere.: By paid and insured professionals:

You go to a few websites, tell them about your TJ that you need transported.. Tell them the date timeframe and ask for quote. They will quote you. Generally high and full - boat profit.
But it's like airline tickets... If they have a spot on the truck they will email or text you back just to fill the empty spot on the rig for your TJ. If they have one. And the price falls.

One company quoted me years ago, $2,000 to transport my Dodge. The time of the move came up and they said that they would do it for $800 to fill an empty spot on the hauler. I had already bought a trailer for the job, so it was a moot point.

Just sayin.

 

[antwon412]

I flat towed my TJ to and from Utah from California. About 2000 miles round-trip. Zero problem that was with four people in the jeep. A bed full of stuff for a week of four wheeling.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Just recently towed a JLU from my place to Bavaria, only 600 kilometers (375 miles).
Mostly flat but with some steep parts.

Was absolutely easy, towed with 60 mph and the milage was 20 mpg.

 

[Zachanadandy]

To the OP: You maybe are putting the cart before the horse; UHaul probably won't rent to you a trailer with that JT /UHUAL/TJ configuration that you mentioned. Unless you have an insider line somehow. UHAUL takes tow capability very seriously. Did you talk to UHaul and did they approve of your tow vehicle - trailer - TJ arraignment? I am guessing that they won't approve.

If you pull the driveshafts, and put the key in the ignition on the TJ. And spend the money on a TJ towbar and lighting, you are still into some money. In other words; by Flat towing it.

If I were you, I would hire a pro and have it safely delivered. Unless it's just a few miles.

Last time I checked, 2 years ago or so: It was in the $800 to $1,000 range to have my Dodge Challenger transported by a licensed commercial company. With insurance. Port to port. 2,000 miles.

I bought a big trailer instead because I need it for other equipment.

I have a 3/4 ton and a large trailer for these types of situations. They don't come up often, but I am covered when they do. But even my 3/4 ton is limited to what I can drag because of the trailer weight.

You mean everyone doesn't default to "Honda civic" when they ask what's going on the trailer? It's not like you're towing the TJ in to the uhaul spot to load it on the trailer.

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