We want to put a tow bar on the front of our '98 3500 dually, 5.9L, 5
speed,to help us speed up the equipment moves between fields. We would like
to tow it behind one of the grain trucks or tractor, depending what is being
moved. Someone said we should see if this is possible with this truck and I
thought, why not ask the experts...so here I am.
Can it be done?
In the middle of the Kansas wheat harvest,
Marilyn
Steve Lusardi - 21 Jun 2005 12:36 GMT
Yes, if as you say, it is a manual, not an automatic.
Steve
> We want to put a tow bar on the front of our '98 3500 dually, 5.9L, 5
> speed,to help us speed up the equipment moves between fields. We would
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> In the middle of the Kansas wheat harvest,
> Marilyn
Tom Lawrence - 21 Jun 2005 14:27 GMT
> Can it be done?
Yes. If it's a 4x4, resist the temptation to put the transfer case in
neutral... leave it in 2WD, and the transmission in neutral. If it's 2WD,
just put the transmission in neutral. If it were an automatic, you'd want
to disconnect the rear driveshaft from the axle, and tie it up to the frame.
TBone - 21 Jun 2005 14:38 GMT
Why would you not want to put the TC in neutral?

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> > Can it be done?
>
> Yes. If it's a 4x4, resist the temptation to put the transfer case in
> neutral... leave it in 2WD, and the transmission in neutral. If it's 2WD,
> just put the transmission in neutral. If it were an automatic, you'd want
> to disconnect the rear driveshaft from the axle, and tie it up to the frame.
Tom Lawrence - 21 Jun 2005 14:47 GMT
> Why would you not want to put the TC in neutral?
Because even though it disconnects the transfer case from the transmission,
it locks the front and rear driveshafts together. That will cause tire
scrubbing (at least) as you make turns.
SnoMan - 21 Jun 2005 19:35 GMT
>> Why would you not want to put the TC in neutral?
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>tire
>scrubbing (at least) as you make turns.
Good point but not all Tcases do that and the front axle hubs or in
this case disconnect will not be engaged so even if they were locked
it would not really be a issue and if output shafts were turning like
that, it would pump lube through T case too.
SnoMan - 21 Jun 2005 16:36 GMT
>We want to put a tow bar on the front of our ’98 3500 dually,
>5.9L, 5
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>In the middle of the Kansas wheat harvest,
>Marilyn
I cannot see any reason why not as long as you have the proper hitch
and tow bar I see no issues and you have a manual tranny too which
makes it simpler yet. Make sure tow bar is good and stout because
that truck is heavy and I would make the tongue on tow bar 5 or 6 feet
long to to make it tow better on turns behind a big truck.
Carl Saiyed - 22 Jun 2005 19:12 GMT
Is the t-case lubed when the driveshaft spins or when the input shaft spins?
I know on the NP231 in my jeep, if I flat tow with the rear driveshaft
connected, I'll burn up my t-case because the output shaft bearing won't be
lubed, but will be spinning thanks to the driveshaft.
Carl
> We want to put a tow bar on the front of our '98 3500 dually, 5.9L, 5
> speed,to help us speed up the equipment moves between fields. We would like
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> In the middle of the Kansas wheat harvest,
> Marilyn