Towing Issues: towing or transporting, engine driven pumps, transmisson

Question
hi,
 i got in a augument with my brother today about towing a car or transporting it on a trailer. he said that it has to be in neutral no matter if it's on a trailer or on the ground. i told him it only had to be in neutral if your towing it on the ground. if you transport it on a trailer you want it in gear to help to keep it in place. can you tell who is right?

Answer
Ok ,  I am going to generalize the answer first and then go further into it.

First of all, any time that a drive wheel is on the ground it needs to be in neutral so that it rolls and also does not GENERALLY damage the transmission.

If its on the car trailer (all 4 wheels off the ground) then it should be in park ( with certain execptions for specialized vehicles   Saab comes to mind with Porsche also)

Now you also have to secure the vehicle to the trailer and that is why some vehicles have to be in neutral.  There is risk for damage if it rocks back and forth in park.  Now that is what he might be talking about...

Now if you are pulling the vehicle on the ground the transmisson is at risk when in neutral because of lack of fluid movement by engine driven pumps.  This can cause the transmission to overheat and burn out bearings which can cause the transmission to lock up and the result is a neat looking accident as the vehicle comes to a fast stop while traveling.. I have seen it happen 1 time when a person infront of me was towing a vehicle with the drivewheels on the ground with a U Haul trailer.. Rolled both vehicles and the trailer.

 By the way, the correct way to secure the vehicle on a trailer is by using what we call a 4 corner tie down system where there are 4 chains or straps or wheel securing devices to hold it in place.  


Hope this helped.  you are both right and both are wrong in some areas.   Hate to say it but its really a tie...