Is an Axle Disconnect Required for a Vehicle to Be Towed if it is a Manual Transmission  

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Expert Reply:

The accepted rule on manual transmission vehicles is that if it is in neutral it should be fine to be flat towed. With that being said, you should still consult the owners manual of your 2014 Ram 1500 to see if there are restrictions for your vehicle for flat towing. There are several companies that do axle-disconnects, but we don't unfortunately carry them.

The RoadMaster Tow Dolly with Electric Brakes # RM-2050-1 would be an excellent choice for your truck as long as it weighs less than 4,250 lbs.

You could also flat tow your truck with a tow bar. For that you would need several components. To start you would need a base plate kit. For that I would recommend part # 52289-1.

In addition to the base plates, you will also need a compatible tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking to flat tow your vehicle. The most popular compatible tow bar is the Falcon 2, # RM-520. For safety cables you can use # RM-643. The coiled design helps keep the cables off of the ground.

For lighting you can use the bulb and socket kit, # RM-155, and not have to worry about cutting and splicing into the vehicle wiring.

And finally, most states now require supplemental braking in the vehicle being flat towed. The easiest system to set up and use is the Even Brake proportional system, # RM-9400, that applies the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

I have included a couple of helpful links to our articles on flat towing for you. Be sure to consult the vehicle owners manual for more specific information on flat towing your vehicle.

expert reply by: Jameson C

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