Towing a 240z

[tfbomke]

I am planning on using a dolly that will leave the rear wheels spinning in neutral on the road. Will I screw the transmission? Thanks.

[Arne]

If it is a manual transmission, I don't think it will hurt it. But if it is an automatic, it will probably be toast by the time you get there.

[Fun_in_my_z]

Take the drive shaft out

[CoastGuardZ]

This one has been debated to quite the extent in a few other threads... do a search and you'll see. One of the fellas before, quoting that he does rebuild or has been a transmission builder or designer in the past, says that it is perfectly exceptable to pull a manual trannied Z with the rears down and the driveshaft in and the tranny in neutral. I can say that I pulled mine ~1000 miles Charleston, SC to Geneva, NY this way with no problems. Of course the best bet would just be to remove the driveshaft. And even better would be to use a double axle car trailer, if your tow vehicle allows that is.

so to answer more directly... No, as long as your Z is a manual.

Nate

[Zrush]

Can you tow from the rear and leave the front wheels free-spinning. Just have to tie off the steering wheel. That's the old fashioned way but it used to work.

U-Haul and those type of places do rent open car haulers too.

Just a thought.

Vicky

[tfbomke]

Its a manual trans. I didnt check the price on full trailer where a 4 wheels on the trailer, but the dolly was on $40 so that is appealing.

[Arne]

Yeah, I rented the full trailer from U-Haul when I picked up mine (with an automatic). The dolly would have been cheaper, but I didn't want to pull the driveshaft, nor did I trust the steering lock enough to tow it backwards. The trailer worked well.

[beandip]

I have trailered several but havent towed any Z . I did tow a Chevette for over 10k on a vacation . The Chevy dealer told me to put a 1/2'' galvinized pipe 90 degree elbow in the filler hole and then fill the trans to that leavel and put the plug in the fitting of corse . After 10,000 miles on the clock there were no problems . It seems that the cluster gear may be turning out of oil , at least on that tranny. Call Nissan or a transmission shop and see what they say . Otherwise it is so simple to pull the shaft and bag the trans to keep the dirt out , that I wouldent take the chance . How far are you planning to towing the car ? Gary

[MarkDixon]

I have towed my 240z both ways. With a dolly and the rears rolling on the ground (no problems), and on a trailer that i drove the whole car onto. I like the whole car being on the trailer better, just because I worried less about something bad happening back their. I would not turn the car around and let the fron wheels roll on the ground. That is a disaster waiting to happen.

good luck

[EScanlon]

One very important point to consider is the condition of the car.

If the car's body isn't in good enough shape to be driven, then is it good enough to be towed? If the rocker panels, floors etc are all rusted out, then you might be better off using a full bed trailer than a 2 wheel dolly. Only you know the condition of the car, and if you aren't sure, then check into it. It may save you the problem of literally draggin' her home.

2¢

Enrique

[tfbomke]

I'm towing it a couple hundred miles, will probably pony up and get the double axle trailer. Thx for all the input.

[CoastGuardZ]

That would be the safest.