Towing wheels down w/motor running?

[eddieelk]

I'm in  S. Texas for the winter, & talked to a neighbor who had just bought a used Chrysler mini-van from a nearby car lot.  The man told him they had towed it down from Minnesota wheels down.  He leaves the motor running, and in neutral. He said it burned a half tank of gas getting it here.  I have passed these type of tows on the road, and always wondered if they had the Revco units on them, most of THEM being old.  Has anyone heard of doing this?  Eddie Elk.

[Ned]

It's being done, but I would not recommend it.  What happens if the engine quits while towing?

[RV Roamer]

One can always agonize over the rare what-ifs.  Is the engine quitting any more likely than a Remco lube pump failing? 

[John From Detroit]

I will second what NED said... Getting a new towed home from the place of purchase.. I might try it.

However not as an every day thing... I mean Gas is what about 2.50/gallon more or less, and has been very more.. A REMCO lube pump is what 500 bucks.. That's 200 gallons of gas. or about 10 tanks at 1/2 tank per tow.. that's 20 trips to pay for the pump. or an Axel lock or a Drive shaft disconnect.

PLUS.. If I use the lock/disconnect.. The odometer stays put when I tow (Since I tow in PARK)

[jim and di]

Gary,
If the lube pump fails you do get a audible alarm as well as a bright red light as a warning. Also lots of things can go wrong with a engine at idle for a long day of driving.

That said I guess to each his own.
Jim

[Biker56]

Yea! No need to pay attention that information the manufacturer puts in the manual, to not let the engine idle for long periods of time. 

Hey its out of warranty anyway. Go for it. Junk yards have a lot of extra transmissions laying around to replace it $$$$. 

[ArdraF]

Although it's possible to run it this way, automobiles are not really designed to idle for long periods of time.  Also think of how much you're using everything in it.  I think this is a good way to wear it out faster.

ArdraF