towing C6 inquiry
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
towing C6 inquiry
I plan to do some long haul towing of my C6. It is a manual six speed "IS IT NECESSARY" to remove the drive shaft if I leave it in neutral? I know it is best to tow on a flat bed but that is not an option. THX
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,186
Likes: 7
From: Evansville, IN The GOCC, rebels without a clue.
St. Jude Donor '06
If it was me, I'd either drive it to my destination or haul it with the wheels off the ground somehow.
Sorry, I didn't answer your original question. What does the owner's manual recommend for towing?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle—such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly towing”
(towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with any of
its wheels on the ground.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 255
Likes: 1
From: San Diego County CA
You might want to be careful with this.
You don't know if this transmission will get proper lubrication to all bearings if the engine is not running. This is not just a theoretical concern. I used to be in the towing business, we occasionally had to go pick up cars that were being flat towed on the interstate and their transmissions (stick and automatic) had gotten hot locked up.
The problem is: witht the engine not turning, the countershaft which normally brings oil up from the bottom is not turning, so oiling can be inadequate.
GM has said don't tow it with the rear wheels on the ground so you won't get any help there.
I checked the Tremec site at http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English...er/product.asp
In the T56 manual, on page 1-1, there is the following message.
WARNING
Towing: Drive shaft MUST be disconnected vehicle is to be
towed. Failure to do so WILL result in internal Transmission damage
They may be too cautious, other manufacturers recommend starting the engine every couple of hours of towing to circulate oil in the transmission
Hope this helps. Lloyd
You don't know if this transmission will get proper lubrication to all bearings if the engine is not running. This is not just a theoretical concern. I used to be in the towing business, we occasionally had to go pick up cars that were being flat towed on the interstate and their transmissions (stick and automatic) had gotten hot locked up.
The problem is: witht the engine not turning, the countershaft which normally brings oil up from the bottom is not turning, so oiling can be inadequate.
GM has said don't tow it with the rear wheels on the ground so you won't get any help there.
I checked the Tremec site at http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English...er/product.asp
In the T56 manual, on page 1-1, there is the following message.
WARNING
Towing: Drive shaft MUST be disconnected vehicle is to be
towed. Failure to do so WILL result in internal Transmission damage
They may be too cautious, other manufacturers recommend starting the engine every couple of hours of towing to circulate oil in the transmission
Hope this helps. Lloyd
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 64
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '09
I would not tow my C6 with any wheels on the ground. Rent a car trailer. If you just must however, put the rear wheels on a rented trailering dolly rather than taking out the driveshaft and leaving all 4 wheels on the ground. A rear wheel dolly will put the nose close to the ground, but it can be done without damaging the car if you drive reasonably slow. I once HAD to have my C5 towed 7 miles this way and it made it without damage due to a conscientious wrecker driver.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,023
Likes: 1,645
From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
Don't do it unless all 4 wheels are on a trailer. As per the Owner's Manual:
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle—such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly towing”
(towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with any of
its wheels on the ground.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle—such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly towing”
(towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with any of
its wheels on the ground.
I wonder if GM's Roadside Assistance knows this?
