Tow dolly...rears on dolly?
 

Looking to tow my 86 rx-7 about 180 miles home...drivetrain is having major issues. Want to tow it with the rears on the dolly. What is going to be like with the front wheels on the ground? Ground clearance problems? 86 base without an airdam

I have heard if the steering colum locks your good. But it will wonder on the road because of the toe on the front wheels. Any first hand experience?

James

I've seen 7's towed with a wheel lift from the rear with fronts on the ground no problems. Just don't know how low the front would be using a towdolly. Shouldn't be a problem as long as front wheels are absolutely straight so it can track properly.

Yeah, my biggest concern is ground clearance.

The local uhaul place is cool though. I said, "What if I can't use the dolly because of ground clearance?" They said I could return it at no cost.

James

Whats going on with the drive train that you cant tow it with the fronts on the dolly?

I towed my 87 over 1200 miles like that.

Jarrett

Ground clearance is NOT a problem. I have done this more than 5 times.

The problem is you cant go very fast; even though the front wheels will lock (column) theyre not exactly straight when they do, plus the column lock still has a bit of play in it. Combine these tw0 factors and you wind up with a load that sways back and forth more and more forcefully the faster you try to go. About 50-60mph (if you're brave) is your speed limit here.

I have had a couple of cars where the wheel WOULDNT lock anywhere near center, for some reason. I wound up having to tie the wheel, which works just as well, but still has some play.

Why not just drop the driveshaft and tow it regular?

Only problem I have encountered is getting the damn thing ON the dolly. I always seem to scrape up the lower part of the front bumper.

Once it was on, I had no problems..

Jarrett

Well. I am lazy. I really do not want to pull the shaft out and let all the fluid go in the tranny. Then put it back together at the destination. :(

I think my dad might be buying a flatbed now for his planes. So it might get the nice ride:)

Thank you for all of your input!

JAmes

I used a tow dolly to tow my TII home. It was a 3 hour ride to the destination, 5 hours back. Had the rears on the dolly too. Kevin is right. I didnt go faster 55mph on the way home. AndI only hit that twice. It was normally 45-50mph trip.

Maybe I missed something, cause I towed my 87 for 1200 miles with the driveline still installed...Is that a no no?

Yea, it really isnt all that great for the driveline to be turning freely like that. I towed my car once like that, but it was only for like 5 miles.

It's not a problem at all on a 5speed. ON an automatic it is a BIG no-no. But, he said there are drivetrain problems, so maybe he has a fubar tranny or driveshaft (I havent seen any axles or rearends go out). THis is why I mentioned he could drop the DS and avoid any complications.

if you do put it up ass first make sure you either remove
the side mirrors or cover them , I have had it happen a
couple times now where a rock took out the mirror
glass, almost made me cry when I smashed the glass
on a 89 TII side mirror:(

matt

using the U-Haul dolly, could someone tell me what else I will need to get the car ready for travel on the dolly?

My best purchase ever AAAplus 100 miles free towing

Total cost $100 a year, Saved my ass many times and it works for any one you ride with to mmmm what a great loop hole.

Scenario: girls car breaks down. You're not with her. You go pick her up. Take her home, go back to the broke down car, call triple a, get the car towed home. win-win situation.

I live in Tampa,I went to Naples FL to pick up a 10AE with my friend,after we rented this big ass truck and the car trailor (where you can put the full car on) He wanted to drive it ,,So I said ..ok.. he sat in the drivers seat then grabbed the streering wheel then said ..I cant drive this bitch ..


So I drove back this way,going like 75-90 MPH on the interstate,,,Till this day I do not know why people were flashing me when I passed them.I got to thedrop off point and said dam how fast am I suppose to go on these tralors,I didnt notice on the trailor there was a sign that says dont go over 45mph :eek:

I wouldnt do it again..

I dont trust car dolleys at high speeds,Put out the extra cash for the full trailor.

I don't really trust car dolly's either, I guess I've seen to many of them swaying back and forth when lifted from the rear as I followed them, and quite honestly I don't trust those damned ignition locks. Why not rent just complete trailer for the day? They're not too expensive.

I think I gotta agree with the others when I say tow it all or at least use the front....the idea of just having the front wheels on the ground makes me nauseous

IT isnt a concern if you tow it *correctly* by the front wheels...you dont even have to lock the column, nor is it a concern...

Well, theyre usually about $40-60 more per day. Plus, not every vehicle has the ability to support a trailer, whereas most lighter vehicles can handle a dolly fine...for instance, I towed with my s-10 lowrider for 2 years. You think that bitch would support a full trailer? Hell no. Does that mean I shouldnt have been towing with it? Hell no. I did it for 2 years and still could today if I wanted. I finally got a big work truck that *could* support a full trailer, but I still use my dolly until I find a good deal on one. IT's just as safe as a big trailer, IMO. I just dollied a car 50 miles last night, and do so generally once per week. I would say I have more towing experience than anyone on this board, over the last 4 years I have towed probably 200 cars, almost all of them 7s (more than 100 partscars).

The hell you be talking about, the whole point of this thread is towing it backwards! I wouldn't trust that damned thing to hold up with a 3 year old pulling on it, let alone towing it and hoping it holds up and doesn't move! (by the rear wheels, that is!) ;)

I have logged probably 300 miles towing a 7 backwards by its front wheels, due to necessity (rearend damage, automatic cars). THough this sucks for the person driving, as long as he's reasonable and somewhat experienced this si not dangerous. As I said, I usually tie the wheel, because Im not happy with where the column locks at.

The guy in this thread is talking about towing his backwards because of drivetrain problems. Im talking about normally, you would tow by the front wheels (backs on ground).

Oh, I get it. In your reference to towing it by, you use whatever wheels are on the ground, I had it the opposite way, I was like, the hell are you talking about? I don't like those damn locks, mine always seems to lock, then if you turn it the other way and back it goes right past the lock and keeps on turning... I don't trust it. ;)

Oh, are you shitting me? I have yet to see a bad column lock on a 7. Hell, I get my fair share of partscars with no keys, and since Im no locksmith I have to try and break the column. Im not shitting you when I say once it took me over an hour to break that fucker, with big ass screwdrivers (15mm thick with 1/2" blades) hammers prybars etc. Theyre not exactly weak...and yes I know, I wouldnt make a car theif for shit...