Moving car from Iowa to Cali, need help
#1
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Moving car from Iowa to Cali, need help
Hey everyone,
I just recently bought a 94' FD from Iowa. Because I don't want any unneccessary miles on the car or any breakdowns along the way, I'm going to be towing my car on a half-dolly.
A half-dolly is like a half flat bed trailer. Only the two front wheels will be on a trailer, the rear wheels will be touching the ground.
The trip from Iowa to Cali is roughly 1,600 miles.
Now my question: Will pulling the car on it's rear wheels do any damage to the car besides tire wear?? would it do any damage to the suspension?
Has anyone else had to do this before?? What can I expect??
note: I'm going to be going through the Rockies, so wish me luck.
I just recently bought a 94' FD from Iowa. Because I don't want any unneccessary miles on the car or any breakdowns along the way, I'm going to be towing my car on a half-dolly.
A half-dolly is like a half flat bed trailer. Only the two front wheels will be on a trailer, the rear wheels will be touching the ground.
The trip from Iowa to Cali is roughly 1,600 miles.
Now my question: Will pulling the car on it's rear wheels do any damage to the car besides tire wear?? would it do any damage to the suspension?
Has anyone else had to do this before?? What can I expect??
note: I'm going to be going through the Rockies, so wish me luck.
#2
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You should pull the car with the rear tires on the dolly and the front tires on the road. I maybe wrong about this but I heard from a mechanic that you do not want your drive wheels turning like that for a long period of time.
#3
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Originally posted by Icemastr
You should pull the car with the rear tires on the dolly and the front tires on the road. I maybe wrong about this but I heard from a mechanic that you do not want your drive wheels turning like that for a long period of time.
You should pull the car with the rear tires on the dolly and the front tires on the road. I maybe wrong about this but I heard from a mechanic that you do not want your drive wheels turning like that for a long period of time.
If I did that, how would i keep the front wheels from turning? Damn... now i'm really starting to get worried...
anyone else have any more input or experience on this?
#5
Take the key out of the ignition? That will lock the steering wheel.
As a safety measure, tie a rope through steering wheel and a yoke to the brake pedal.
Just some suggestions. I have never towed with a dolly so take them with a grain of salt.
As a safety measure, tie a rope through steering wheel and a yoke to the brake pedal.
Just some suggestions. I have never towed with a dolly so take them with a grain of salt.
#6
I believe those dollies are mainly for FWD cars, at least thats what the U-Haul guy told me awhile back when I was going to rent one. I dont know if it would cause any kind of damage but ideally I think you should get all 4 wheels off the ground. Where in Iowa did you buy this car? I am in Iowa so I was curious, let me know. G'luck and congrats on buying an FD!!
Steve
Steve
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#8
twinturboteddy ws my idol
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it is IMPOSSIBLE to find the UHaul auto transport trailers without significant notice. I checked everywhere from Baltimore to Newark, DE to get one so I could trailer my car back from the paint shop in PA.
Keep that in mind, seems they don't have many out there.
Keep that in mind, seems they don't have many out there.
#9
Did you try to rent one without renting a truck from UHaul also?
I had no problem renting an autotransport and a box truck from UHaul when I needed to take my FD to KD Rotary.
But, I think UHaul sucks big time. They are the cheapest but they are not reliable in terms of having the reserved equipment available on time. Also their trucks are the oldest in the business.
I recommend the other truck rental companies such as Penske or Budget over UHaul.
I had no problem renting an autotransport and a box truck from UHaul when I needed to take my FD to KD Rotary.
But, I think UHaul sucks big time. They are the cheapest but they are not reliable in terms of having the reserved equipment available on time. Also their trucks are the oldest in the business.
I recommend the other truck rental companies such as Penske or Budget over UHaul.
#10
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Originally posted by Mr. Stock
Did you try to rent one without renting a truck from UHaul also?
I had no problem renting an autotransport and a box truck from UHaul when I needed to take my FD to KD Rotary.
But, I think UHaul sucks big time. They are the cheapest but they are not reliable in terms of having the reserved equipment available on time. Also their trucks are the oldest in the business.
I recommend the other truck rental companies such as Penske or Budget over UHaul.
Did you try to rent one without renting a truck from UHaul also?
I had no problem renting an autotransport and a box truck from UHaul when I needed to take my FD to KD Rotary.
But, I think UHaul sucks big time. They are the cheapest but they are not reliable in terms of having the reserved equipment available on time. Also their trucks are the oldest in the business.
I recommend the other truck rental companies such as Penske or Budget over UHaul.
#12
Originally posted by alberto_mg
just drive it. i think the car is too low and will scrape on one of those half dolly things.
just drive it. i think the car is too low and will scrape on one of those half dolly things.
#13
I drove my FD from Michigan to California when I moved. I stopped in Des Moines the first night. If you have the stock suspension, it is actually a pretty comfortable highway cruiser.
If you get a trailer, I agree with the other posters that it would be best to get all four wheels off the ground.
Will towing it on a dolly keep the miles from accumulating on the odometer?
-Max
If you get a trailer, I agree with the other posters that it would be best to get all four wheels off the ground.
Will towing it on a dolly keep the miles from accumulating on the odometer?
-Max
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I can't use a full auto transport and have all four wheels off the ground because the vehicle I'm using to pull the car isn't heavy enough or something.. that's what the UHaul guy said in Des Moines, Iowa.
I have a ford windstar. The towing capacity is like 3,500 pounds.
damn! I still need to know how I can lock the front wheels or if letting the back wheels ride is bad.
I absolutely refuse to drive it back.. Only becuase that's just 1,600-1,700 useless miles to put on such a beautiful car
I have a ford windstar. The towing capacity is like 3,500 pounds.
damn! I still need to know how I can lock the front wheels or if letting the back wheels ride is bad.
I absolutely refuse to drive it back.. Only becuase that's just 1,600-1,700 useless miles to put on such a beautiful car
#16
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by the way... do you think someone who specializes in rotories and FD's (like a shop owner) would get mad if I called?? I'm thinking of calling Jeff at Rotary Power in Gardena, CA.
#18
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I think you would be ok towing with a fully dolly. Get an acurate weight of it. It's prolly 1000lbs or less and the FD is 2800lbs. Don't just beleive the sales guy wanting a commision. Besides that, if you rent a truck it will cost you "More" money then if you have it shipped!!! yes, that's correct. I towed my 1st gen MR2 from WA to CA and it was $600 in gas and that was like 10yrs ago. Those trucks get about 5-8mi/gal ...do the math!
#20
Originally posted by SpeedKing
jajjidam: Congrats on the buy. And BTW, what are the specs on this car? Must be a real peach for you to go all the way out to Iowa for it.
jajjidam: Congrats on the buy. And BTW, what are the specs on this car? Must be a real peach for you to go all the way out to Iowa for it.
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So if I take the key out, and lock the steering wheel, it would be okay to have the front two wheels on the ground right??
but doesn't the steering wheel only lock at an angle?? so the front wheels really won't be straight will they??
but doesn't the steering wheel only lock at an angle?? so the front wheels really won't be straight will they??
#23
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Originally posted by SpeedKing
jajjidam: Congrats on the buy. And BTW, what are the specs on this car? Must be a real peach for you to go all the way out to Iowa for it.
jajjidam: Congrats on the buy. And BTW, what are the specs on this car? Must be a real peach for you to go all the way out to Iowa for it.
94' Montego Blue FD
30,000 original miles
everything is stock
touring package
1st owner / original owner
the cleanest FD i have EVER seen
#24
Power Trippin'
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Originally posted by jajiddam
Here are the specs of the car:
94' Montego Blue FD
30,000 original miles
everything is stock
touring package
1st owner / original owner
the cleanest FD i have EVER seen
Here are the specs of the car:
94' Montego Blue FD
30,000 original miles
everything is stock
touring package
1st owner / original owner
the cleanest FD i have EVER seen
#25
FD3SW211E55
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Originally posted by jajiddam
I can't use a full auto transport and have all four wheels off the ground because the vehicle I'm using to pull the car isn't heavy enough or something.. that's what the UHaul guy said in Des Moines, Iowa.
I have a ford windstar. The towing capacity is like 3,500 pounds.
damn! I still need to know how I can lock the front wheels or if letting the back wheels ride is bad.
I absolutely refuse to drive it back.. Only becuase that's just 1,600-1,700 useless miles to put on such a beautiful car
I can't use a full auto transport and have all four wheels off the ground because the vehicle I'm using to pull the car isn't heavy enough or something.. that's what the UHaul guy said in Des Moines, Iowa.
I have a ford windstar. The towing capacity is like 3,500 pounds.
damn! I still need to know how I can lock the front wheels or if letting the back wheels ride is bad.
I absolutely refuse to drive it back.. Only becuase that's just 1,600-1,700 useless miles to put on such a beautiful car
I don't see why you think those would be useless miles to put on the FD. On the contrary, they would be fantastic miles!! When you get out of Nebraska, and into Colorado and Utah, it is really a beautiful drive, particularly through the Rockies (assuming that the weather is okay).
Useless miles are the miles that you rack up on LA freeways, going nowhere fast with a million other people in their Civics. But a nice extended drive through the mountains? That's a great drive with your FD!
If you're still set against driving here (and I really don't understand why), you can also ship your car by rail or covered transport.
Last edited by artowar; 04-02-04 at 02:34 AM.