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
> >
> >
> >
>