A drive train assembly for use in powered vehicles or trailers having at
least one axle of driving wheels. The assembly includes a coupling
mechanism coupling the engine of the vehicle and the driving wheels. The
coupling mechanism is activatable between a first and a second state,
wherein in the first state the engine and driving wheels are mechanically
uncoupled and in the second state the engine is mechanically coupled to
the driving wheels. When the driving wheels are rotated by the vehicle or
trailer being towed and the engine turned off the coupling mechanism
ensures that no parts of the drive train assembly do not rotate and are
therefore damaged due to lack of lubrication. Two embodiments are
disclosed, one with the coupling (138) in the transfer box (110), and in
the second embodiment the coupling is in the wheel hub assembly. Also
disclosed is an oil pump assembly driven by the wheels rather than the
drive train to provide some lubrication when the wheels are rotating and
the engine is off.