Towing with a TOW DOLLY

Unknown

What's been the experiance with TOW DOLLYs? I hope to move my 51 Hornet about 40 mi on 2 lane @ 30-50 MPH.. Using my 02 pathfinder... I plan to do this very early in the AM to avoid traffic.. Opionions, comments and personal experiance welcome.

nick s

Regarding the vehicle being towed, does it have an automatic? if so, drop the driveshaft. Otherwise you will smoke the transmission.

Unknown

In the early 90s I moved a pacemaker with a U-Haul dolly. It was a terrible experience. The car was put onto the dolly properly and inspected by the U-Haul dealer before making a 140 mile trip. During the first turn I thought I heard a noise and stopped along the side of the road. I found that the fender of the dolly had impacted the rocker panel leaving a crease. After a bit of rare air self talk, I decided that with care I should be able to complete the trip without anymore damage. The idea was to make each turn into a long sweeping change versus a quick angle change... My idea had merit ... but I over the rest of the trip I managed to get into the other rocker panel and reconnect with the opposite side several times.



When I reached the destination... the car was still secured to the dolly platforms. I determined the turning radius clearance is set by the hard mounted fenders... so, I will not use a dolly again.



Hope you can make it work for you trip.

Unknown

It will tow fine,auto drop the shaft, manual your OK, BUT watch out for the dolly fenders causeing damage to your car, most dollys they turn when you do. If you don't expect some young cop to get after you , you might want to take the fenders off and even then make sure the tires don't get into it .

Hudsy Wudsy

Don't anticipate backing up more than a few feet.

hudsontech

Back in the day, when I was young and crazy (now I'm old....) I towed a '52 Wasp from western Vermont back to Southern Maine with a 1968 International Travel-All, 304 V-8 and a towing package using a tow bar. Fun trip thru hilly country. Had no problems ----

Except there was that crazy Canadian with Quebec plates that pulled out in front of me - when I was coming down a steep grade on I-89. Managed not to run over him, tho he deserved it.

Only time in my 40 year association with fellow HET'er, Mike Elwell (who was with me) I ever heard him use a naughty word, tho!!!!



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

HudsonTech

Memphis, TN

www.freewebs.com/hudsontech

SuperDave

I know this is gonna sound simple, but... Make SURE it's out of gear. many an engine has been destroyed by simply forgetting such a simple thing. I reverse rotated a Chevy 350 in a Nova.. not very far, thank goodness. Just force of habit, I put it the Nova in reverse before I got out. Towed maybe 50 feet with a 32 foot Motorhome. Didn't feel or hear a thing. Don't know why I went back to check, but I am sure glad I did.

Unknown

dont do it dont do it, not for a stepdown anyway. I HAVE SEEN TOO MANY DAMAGED HUDSONS COME IN HERE. THE DOLLARS YOU SAVE WILL BE MORE THAN USED UP IN REPAIRS, HIRE A LOCAL FLATBED ROLL BACK AND BE HAPPY, BILL ALBRIGHT

[Deleted User]

A good-quality car hauler trailer is the best way, and cheaper, too. I'm no big fan of dollies, but if they're used right, they are OK...but not in every case, obviously.



The rollback is great, but it's only as good as its operator. He isn't going to take the same care of your car as YOU are. For me, I'll trailer it if I have to.

[Deleted User]

Bill A has it right. I rent tow dollies also and the first warning I give is if your car is to wide the fender will get it, they always do. Go to Penske and rent a roll back or pay a professional to deliver the car for you.



Harry

Hudsy Wudsy

I'd say leave the driveshaft in the car. I always do. Just disconnect the rear U-joint and tape the bearing caps up well and wire the driveshaft off to the side.

junkcarfann

I towed a Toyota Corona wagon filled with stuff (clothes and stuff that was not heavy) from California to Florida with a tow dolly behind a U-Haul. The rear tires were on the dolly, and the steering wheel was tied down two different ways.



Had no problems at all. Then I did the same thing later with the same car, from Florida to New England, and got as far as the New Jersey Turnpike, where they would not let me on...some rule about towing cars. So I had to take the car off, and tow an empty tow dolly, with my wife driving the car to the other end of the Turnpike.

[Deleted User]

Towing with the rear wheels on a dolly is NOT a good idea! yes, it does work, but that is the worst way to utilize a dolly!

junkcarfann

66patrick66 wrote:

Towing with the rear wheels on a dolly is NOT a good idea! yes, it does work, but that is the worst way to utilize a dolly!

Why is that?

faustmb

I've had good luck with tow dollies for short trips, but never had a stepdown on one. I think the advice given here concerning the width of the car being towed sounds reasonable. For a trip of 50 miles, a hired tow shouldn't cost too much, espescially if your schedule is flexible.

ratlee2

Daven,

I towed a couple of 53 Hornets with my '97 Pathfinder without any problems. Each time were about 35 miles. Keep the speed low, Slow down on the turns as the Hornet weighs more, don't back up the dolly, and make sure to remove driveshaft if automatic. The only problem I ran into was U-haul would not rent me the dolly. They told me the truck didn't have a 5000lbs. towing capacity even though my owners manual did. I ended up going to another tool rental.



Rich

cheyenne7271

Don’t use a tow bar at ALL!!!! Here’s my 51 Hornet Club Coupe. Bite the bullet and rent a U-haul car hauler. 

ratlee2

I have done exactly what you plan to do.  I hauled both of my 53's (hornet and wasp) with a 1997 pathfinder using the dolly.  Drop the driveshaft, go slow, and don't attempt to back up.  The towing capicity on the pathfinder is only 5000lbs. with the 3.5 liter engine.

Jon B

By the way, I hope you all notice that this topic was started 11 years ago.  The only reason it was revived was "Harrulbrennan", whose only reason for doing so was to post a link to a limousine service in Orlando.  As a moderator, I removed that advertising link.

Currently, no one is asking for advice on tow bars or dollies.