1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Flat towing an FB long distance

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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 10:54 PM
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Exclamation Flat towing an FB long distance

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!
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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 11:07 PM
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Get a trailer or slow down. I hope you are not talking about towing the 7 by strap or chain at that speed.
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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 11:12 PM
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Going that distance, I would advise dropping the driveshaft if the rear wheels are gonna be on the ground.
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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 11:16 PM
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towing it by tow bar

and how slow should I be taking it?
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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 11:25 PM
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Depends on the tow vehicle. Full size truck with a rated hitch, 3000lb. min., remove driveshaft, highway speed will be ok.
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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 11:32 PM
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1997 GMC Yukon SLE with ball hitch on rear bumper + tow bar (6000lb or so of towing capacity)
Good enough?
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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 11:45 PM
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Tow vehicle is fine. Now, how are you attaching the tow bar?
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 12:01 AM
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Just a ball hitch onto the back of the truck. I was also considering a ball mount.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 12:11 AM
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Not what I was asking. How are you attaching the bar to the car?
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 12:14 AM
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Probably by the hooks up front. Is there a better way?
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 12:23 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 12:42 AM
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is it possible to connect to the body on the 7?
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 12:48 AM
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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

Last edited by blwfly; Jun 16, 2006 at 01:02 AM.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 12:57 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 07:00 AM
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yea for real rent a dolley its worth the 50 bucks to rent it
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 07:10 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by 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.
that is odd.


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


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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 09:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Andrew64
1997 GMC Yukon SLE with ball hitch on rear bumper + tow bar (6000lb or so of towing capacity)
Good enough?
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.


Attached Thumbnails Flat towing an FB long distance-100_0519%5B1%5D.jpg  
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 09:37 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 10:27 AM
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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
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Hades12
that is odd.


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


+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.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 11:30 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by trochoid
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.
man, i almost bought a 65 cuda a while back. it was a beautiful car and now i kinda wish i had.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 10:42 PM
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[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.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 11:28 PM
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From: St Joe MO
Originally Posted by rOtAryIsbEttEr
man, i almost bought a 65 cuda a while back. it was a beautiful car and now i kinda wish i had.
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.
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