Towing A 97 Blazer About 300 Miles

ScottyBoy · February 18, 2009

I need to move a 97 blazer 4x4 about 300 miles. I'll be towing it with my Suburban. My question is: Is is safe to tow it that far in neutral? I was thinking about either mounting a tow bar to the front bumper, or else renting a tow dollie (the ones you drive the front wheels up onto) from U-haul. With the driveshaft spinning is the transmission suscepitble to being damaged? I've heard its best to put the tranfer case in neutral, but it has the electric 4x4 and its not working. Thats one of the reasons I'm bringing the blazer back here. Or should it be towed with the front wheels rolling on the ground?? Another option (also WAY more expensive) is to rent a tandem axle car hauling trailer that you drive the vehicle completely up onto the trailer thus transporting it with no wheels rolling.

pwall · February 18, 2009

The tandem axle car trailer is, personally, the best option.

Another option would be to remove the drive shafts.

Draenor · February 18, 2009

Another option would be to remove the drive shafts.

LOL, he has two threads open with the same question. I answered it the same way in the other.

ScottyBoy · February 18, 2009

Another option would be to remove the drive shafts.

LOL, he has two threads open with the same question. I answered it the same way in the other.

Ok, Ok, you caught me, lol. Yeah I did post it twice. Mainly because we dont have a "towing" forum. I didn't know which thread would be better to post it in.

ScottyBoy · February 18, 2009

I know the BEST option is to rent the tandem axle trailer, but Its also the most expensive. I can buy a tow bar for around 60 bucks, rent a tow dollie for about $150, or rent a car hauler for around $225. Plus the extra gas I'll burn towing the extra weight of the trailer. So if its perfectly safe to use a tow bar, just chime in. If theres a risk of causing damage, let me know. And about removing the drive shafts, If I do that won't I be leaking trans fliud out the yoke the whole way back????

pj5454302 · February 19, 2009

Just put the transfer case in nutral and the same with the tranny and you should be fine.

pwall · February 19, 2009

He can't, that's the issue.

Quote: I've heard its best to put the tranfer case in neutral, but it has the electric 4x4 and its not working.

ScottyBoy · February 19, 2009

Exactly, the 4x4 isnt working at all. Thats why I posted this thread to begin with. If I could get the transfer case in neutral, I would just tow it with all 4 wheels on the ground, end of story. But I can't, because the 4wd is acting up. I'm not sure if its the switch, or electric actuator, or what. I guess I'll just suck it up and pay the money to rent the trailer. Depending on if everything else is mechanically sound, I'm thinking about driving it back, and have my wife drive the suburban back. Supposedly it runs and drives fine in 2wd.

ScottyBoy · February 21, 2009

Ok, had a mechanic look at it. He said that it will go into 4wd-hi but not 4wd-lo. Also, there is no way to put the transfer case in neutral (I originally thought that you could). He claims that just putting the gearshift in neutral will put it in neutral. He also said that it should be fine to tow it in neutral with all 4 wheels on the ground. Is this true? Does anyone have a blazer owner's manual and verify this in the owners manual? I know the manual for my Suburban says to only tow it with the transfer case in neutral (on a burban you can actually put the transfer case in neutral), or else you will damage the transmission. I would feel better if I could verify this info in an actual 95-00 blazer owner's manual.

pwall · February 21, 2009

Hi.

Can't answer your question, however, you can download the owner's manual for the blazer here:

http://www.extendedgmwarranty.com/owners-manual/chevrolet/

ScottyBoy · February 21, 2009

Thanks, but I tried downloading at that link and it won't work for some reason.

ScottyBoy · February 21, 2009

Any body got an s-10 blazer owners manual? I just need to know what the owners manual say about towing. Is it safe to tow it with all 4 wheels rolling on the ground? For a long disatance?

04CCSO · February 21, 2009

I would rent the dollie. Just drive it on strap it down unbolt the drive shaft from the rear and wire it to the underside of the truck leaving the other end in the trans.

txab · February 21, 2009

I would rent the dollie. Just drive it on strap it down unbolt the drive shaft from the rear and wire it to the underside of the truck leaving the other end in the trans.

+1

Zembonez · February 21, 2009

I would rent the dollie. Just drive it on strap it down unbolt the drive shaft from the rear and wire it to the underside of the truck leaving the other end in the trans.

+1

It's a five minute job if you stop to rest.