Towing

[Gary801]

I just recently purchaced a 1999 GMC Sonoma 4 wheel drive pickup to tow behind my motor home. It has the 4.3 Liter engine with an Automatic Transmission. I have been told quite a few different things about how to go about accomplishing this. I'm hoping somebody on this forum can give me some good info. Last thing I want to do is burn up the Xmsn.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[happy 2011]

only tow with the tranfercase in netural

 

[ferretx9]

For what its worth -
Straight from the Haynes Manual :

We recommend these vehicles be towed from the rear , with the rear wheels off the ground
If it's absolutely necessary , these vehicles can be towed from the front with the with the front wheels off the ground , provided that speeds don't exceed 35 MPH and the distance is less than 50 miles; the transmission can be damaged if these mileage /speed limitations are exceeded.
( I left out the part about all wheel drive )

In years past I was told that you needed to drop the drive shaft so you wouldn't
damage the tranny on automatics
Maybe it has something to do with parts heating up and no way to cool them ?

 

[Smoky02]

For what its worth -
Straight from the Haynes Manual :

We recommend these vehicles be towed from the rear , with the rear wheels off the ground
If it's absolutely necessary , these vehicles can be towed from the front with the with the front wheels off the ground , provided that speeds don't exceed 35 MPH and the distance is less than 50 miles; the transmission can be damaged if these mileage /speed limitations are exceeded.
( I left out the part about all wheel drive )

In years past I was told that you needed to drop the drive shaft so you wouldn't
damage the tranny on automatics
Maybe it has something to do with parts heating up and no way to cool them ?

It has to do with that the oil pump for the trans is not moving any oil, so parts get damaged due to lack of lub and overheating. Remember that the primary purpose of oil is cooling then lubricating.

 

[happy 2011]

Ok tranfercase in netural trans not turning so no harm will be done. So try this put your transfercase in netural. Start up tk put in bto gear and you will not move. (don't put back in park while running) then shut off tk in gear.

 

[2299SOgnomeA]

Only thing I could add is to say: Look in the owner's manual (If you were lucky enough to have it when you purchased the truck).It should give you exact towing details for your exact truck.

Good Luck