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Date:         Sat, 14 Oct 2006 20:20:09 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: towing my van
Comments: To: Raymond Paquette <raymondpaquette@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <5d903de80610140955v36cd0778j2bf2b5a5c7763cd1@mail.gmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

What is wrong with that truck that you are only expecting 7 mpg? Isn't that one of those small engine high efficiency things? I suddenly feel much better about the mileage of my motor home.

Dennis

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Raymond Paquette Sent: Saturday, October 14, 2006 12:56 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: towing my van

My tow vehicle is a Mitsubishi 20' box truck, diesel, auto.

Seems like the consensus emerging here is to rent a trailer if it's cheap, otherwise flat tow. Take out driveshaft to save VC wear but still leave the Syncro driveable if necessary. Rear axles not a meaningful wear/MPG factor.

Thanks to all for the wisdom.

And remember, I will have room in my truck to move a thing or two for others, anywhere enroute between San Diego to Boston, July 07.

Raymond

On 10/11/06, Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@optonline.net> wrote: > > The Syncro is a lot more sensitive as there are a lot more parts in front > of > the main ball bearing that you likely toasted. > > Dennis > > -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of > Jonathan Farrugia > Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 9:51 PM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Re: towing my van > > i agree with dennis here. i think i damaged a 2wd trans towing it on a > dolly with the drive shafts connected from montana to michigan. the trans > continues to work and i have probably put 20-30k on it but the bearings > are going and its loud. i can't say thats what did it for sure because i > never drove it because it was non-operational. the last one i towed long > distance on a dolly i pulled the shafts before the tow. > > jonathan > > On Wed, 11 Oct 2006, Dennis Haynes wrote: > > > What is your tow vehicle? I regularly tow my Syncro behind a motor home, > 4 > > wheels down and have not had any trouble. The mileage only changes ~1 > mpg > > with or without the van do I don't think there is much to really save by > > disconnecting the drive line. Pulling the center shaft will save some VC > > wear. Consider that you may come across a situation where you may need > to > > disconnect and drive the van separately. > > > > Check the laws of the states you will travel through, many require you > to > > operating brakes on the toad. > > > > The dolly is not a good idea for that long a tow with the rear axles > > connected. The steady up-end will drain the gear oil from the front > bearing > > and maybe the low (granny) gear case. > > > > Dennis > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf > Of > > Raymond Paquette > > Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 2:06 PM > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > > Subject: towing my van > > > > Hey > > > > I'm planning on flat towing my Syncro about 3000 miles, with the > driveshaft > > and both rear axles removed. > > > > Opinions on how much drag I'll save by having the rear axles out? I > expect > > to get about 7MPG with the tow vehicle. > > > > It might be nice to be able do drive it around some enroute. On the > other > > hand the tow vehicle gets crap fuel mileage, and anything I can do to > lessen > > it's load is probably worthwhile. > > > > Someone suggested a tow dolly as the simplest and cheapest way to go > (over > a > > towbar). I can't see why. I'd have to buy/rent the dolly, and I'd > still > > have to take out my front driveshaft. And I'd still have the same wear > on > > the rear bearings and transmission. Only thing saved is on the front. > > Doesn't seem simpler nor cheaper. What am I missing? > > > > Raymond > > > > > > >


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