Andrew64

I need to flat tow an FB for 150kms at 110kms/hr
Are there any no-no's that I should be aware of or any precautions to take? I don't know much about towing so anything helps!

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Get a trailer or slow down. I hope you are not talking about towing the 7 by strap or chain at that speed.

Rogue_Wulff

Going that distance, I would advise dropping the driveshaft if the rear wheels are gonna be on the ground.

Andrew64

towing it by tow bar

and how slow should I be taking it?

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Depends on the tow vehicle. Full size truck with a rated hitch, 3000lb. min., remove driveshaft, highway speed will be ok.

Andrew64

1997 GMC Yukon SLE with ball hitch on rear bumper + tow bar (6000lb or so of towing capacity)
Good enough?

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Tow vehicle is fine. Now, how are you attaching the tow bar?

Andrew64

Just a ball hitch onto the back of the truck. I was also considering a ball mount.

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Not what I was asking. How are you attaching the bar to the car?

Andrew64

Probably by the hooks up front. Is there a better way?

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Tow bars are made for older vehicles that one could use a bumper jack on, remember those days? When I towed my 65 Barracuda many years ago, I removed the steel bumper and bolted the bar directly to the frame horns. You really should get a dolly.

There is 1 bolt each that hold the bumper to each bumper shock. 3 smaller bolts that hold each shock to the body The bumpers are not really designed to handle a tow bar. They tear up the urethane cover and can blow out the bumper shocks. If a bumper shock fails, the 2nd one will soon go, then the car is on it's own, chain or no chain.

Andrew64

is it possible to connect to the body on the 7?

blwfly

iTrader: (4)

ild recomeng goin 50km max!!!!!!!!!!
and thats still dogey

a chariot would be the best idea...

ivv seen people tie cars really close and have two tyres beteen the vehcile i duno if its safe tho


i didnt drop the drive sharft either had no problems i towd myn on a chariot aswell

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

I agree with Trochoid..you should get a dolly.I had to take my sec gen BY dolly from the sellers yard to mine(about 80 miles)..Now it was In the middle of Winter..with Snow.ice and **** all over..I never dropped the driveshaft.It came back just fine.No Problems.I would have dropped it,but it was like -25 out and no way I was goin under the car.I wouldn't recommend To Tow it Like I did(I'm claiming Luck on that one)..Best way is to Disconnect the drive shaft.

Whitewidebodyrx7

yea for real rent a dolley its worth the 50 bucks to rent it

juliankirk

Ran into a problem with the uhaul dolley - couldn't clear the front valence - even when i stacked some wood under the tires while driving on to it.

Hades12

that is odd.


I have an old U-haul dolly have have not had a bit of trouble getting cars on it.

Dom

Your bumper ball is NOT rated at 6000 pounds. Your bumper is probably rated at 2000 pounds.

A proper hitch attached to the frame is rated at 6000 pounds.

juliankirk

i rented it about 3 years ago (the one i had looks a little newer than yours, but that shouldn't matter)

and no matter how many tricks i tried - it was going to eat the front valence.

DwArF

Best way to do it is with a flat bed. I wouldn't even use just the dolly thing. Even if my car only cost 300

Alex-7

+1.

I rent those things often. they are flawless.

I recently towed Midwest 7's SA from colombia mo to lawrence ks (about three hours) on one of those things at 75mph. no problems at all with drive shaft intact.

MattG

iTrader: (2)

Yea

You need to get you one of those or a flat bed.

I have used both with no problems.

There really is no other way.

rOtAryIsbEttEr

man, i almost bought a 65 cuda a while back. it was a beautiful car and now i kinda wish i had.

Stevan

iTrader: (17)

[QUOTE=Dom]Your bumper ball is NOT rated at 6000 pounds. Your bumper is probably rated at 2000 pounds.
A proper hitch attached to the frame is rated at 6000 pounds.


My 83 ford still had the V5 rated sticker on the bumper when I got it.
http://www.truckstuffusa.com/surtufbumbyf.html

I used a towbar attached to the tow hooks on the last 7 I brought home, it did take a little fab work. To keep the large bolts(5/8"x3") from sliding back and forth in the oval in the tow hooks I welded some steel (lock washers split in half) to 2 large flat washers, so when the tow hook was sandwhiched between the washers they wouldn''t move, a lockwasher and nut on each side of it, and the towbar near the bolt head could pivot up and down freely.

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

You should have, they are very fun car. One thing I liked about the 'Cuda was the back seat folded down and the panel dividing the interior and trunk, folds down. In that configuration, there is just enough room to slide a single bed mattress in. I enjoyed waking up in the mornings, with the huge rear glass to look out, among other things

My take on towing is this:

If one is towing around town, or short distances, the front wheel only dolly is fine. When towing longer distances and/or highway/interstate speeds, get a full size trailer.

I have a 1 ton, dually 12' box van. On long trips, with a full size trailer, I can run 85 mph all day, and forget I even have the car and trailer behind me. To rent here, a trailer is 10 bucks a day more than the dolly. For my peace of mind, in regards to safety and preventing damage to the transported vehicle, the price is well worth it.