towing

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frmus3

Banned

Sep 2, 2004

39

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Oct 10, 2004

#1

• Oct 10, 2004

• #1

i consider this a tech Qs. my car isn't running and i have a lot of work to do. so its going to be on jack stands for a while. i live in a carport now and am moving to a 2 car garage. im staying in same city and have a full size truck with towing hooks. i dont have a flatbed trailer or anything so i was going to ghetto rig it with some chains but bottom front bumper is flexible(89 LX) can anybody tell me how you towed your own if you ever have?

 

ram360

Founding Member

Oct 19, 2002

2,162

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Pennsylvania

Oct 10, 2004

#2

• Oct 10, 2004

• #2

you can rent a car transporter or dollly from uhaul, that's what I did. I wouldn't ghetto rig it. That's illegal anyway.

 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master

Apr 10, 2002

9,039

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79

Charlotte, NC

Oct 10, 2004

#3

• Oct 10, 2004

• #3

You're asking for trouble with chains - I'm ashamed to admit I tried it once and found out the hard way. You can really do some damage to both the tow vehicle and towed vehicle by trying to pull with chains. There's no slack and when the chains tighten - they can break things. Furthermore, if your car's not running, you'll have no power brakes which is gonna make it interesting for the person in the car trying to keep it from running into the back of the truck.

Don't even think about it if the car's not in running order. As the other fellow mentioned - rent a tow dolly. It'll save you money in the long run. Depending on how far you have to tow it and the tranny type, it may also be wise to disconnect the driveshaft at the rear, and tie it up and away from the rear end.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

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Oct 10, 2004

#4

• Oct 10, 2004

• #4

or if you are not going too far, call a towtruck (flat bed) and just have them tow it. that would be a small cost vs the cost of a move anyhow (not sure how far across town you are going). otherwise, if something small goes wrong, you will likely be more than money down vs having had a flatbed do it from the start.

good luck.

 

hllon4whls

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Jan 17, 2002

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Covington

Oct 10, 2004

#5

• Oct 10, 2004

• #5

With the flexible bumper there is not much way to hook a tow strap to the car without breaking something. Everything that the others have mentioned is true. It is illegal, hard to stop and will probably lead to breaking something.

If you do go for it, the towed vehicle has to stop the towing vehicle to keep the slop out of the chain.

Sucks when you damage 2 vehicles to save $50-$100.

 

1986LX2002

Founding Member

Aug 15, 2002

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Oct 10, 2004

#6

• Oct 10, 2004

• #6

Towed mine once with my friends truck "not good" had a long enough tow strap but i had it tied into my 4 point K member brace and swap bar mounts. Didnt do any damage or anything but a big ass diesel towing you and not waiting to take out the slack in the strap. Car just about came off the ground!! I only had to go 6 miles but i would of rather paid someone to transport it.

 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master

Apr 10, 2002

9,039

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79

Charlotte, NC

Oct 10, 2004

#7

• Oct 10, 2004

• #7

"Sucks when you damage 2 vehicles..."

Still remember it - I was 16 growing up in Augusta GA. Young couple down the street had a 69 Hemi Road Runner (brand new) and a beautiful 55 Chevy. After a heated argument, she ran out of the house, and angrily hopped in the Road Runner -- accidentally side swiped the 55 while backing out of the driveway. 2 months later the house was empty, both cars gone, marriage ended in divorce.

 

F

frmus3

Banned

Sep 2, 2004

39

0

0

Oct 10, 2004

#8

• Oct 10, 2004

• #8

Michael Yount said:

"Sucks when you damage 2 vehicles..."

Still remember it - I was 16 growing up in Augusta GA. Young couple down the street had a 69 Hemi Road Runner (brand new) and a beautiful 55 Chevy. After a heated argument, she ran out of the house, and angrily hopped in the Road Runner -- accidentally side swiped the 55 while backing out of the driveway. 2 months later the house was empty, both cars gone, marriage ended in divorce.

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when i read this... .....not sure what it had to do with towing....you just reminiscing?

 

F

frmus3

Banned

Sep 2, 2004

39

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0

Oct 10, 2004

#9

• Oct 10, 2004

• #9

frmus3 said:

can anybody tell me how you towed your own if you ever have?

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thats all i wanted to know people. i have towed cars with chains i know the dangers... just want to know what you guys hook it too... don't really care about your tow truck or uhaul advice

 

Ourobos

Member

Apr 12, 2004

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Oct 10, 2004

#10

• Oct 10, 2004

• #10

Really only leaves you the sway bar then.

 

hllon4whls

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Jan 17, 2002

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Covington

Oct 14, 2004

#11

• Oct 14, 2004

• #11

frmus3 said:

thats all i wanted to know people. i have towed cars with chains i know the dangers... just want to know what you guys hook it too... don't really care about your tow truck or uhaul advice

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Polite gal/fellow arent you.

If you attach it to the Kmember it is not going anywhere. Good luck.

 

ram360

Founding Member

Oct 19, 2002

2,162

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59

Pennsylvania

Oct 14, 2004

#12

• Oct 14, 2004

• #12

frmus3 said:

thats all i wanted to know people. i have towed cars with chains i know the dangers... just want to know what you guys hook it too... don't really care about your tow truck or uhaul advice

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In that case, run a tow strap around the radiator support and give it hell.