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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Tow Dolly
Posted by: spunone Feb 1 2005, 01:37 PM
I'm going to use a tow dolly to drag my motorless car around .It's not going to have a top on either ,and would like to drag it ass first .Any tricks when doing it this way???
Posted by: scotty b Feb 1 2005, 01:41 PM
LOCK THE STEERING!!!! or drag it nose first
Posted by: Travis Neff Feb 1 2005, 01:50 PM
Make sure your rear trunk pin is strong enough to hold the trunk down. Ask me how I know...
Posted by: neo914-6 Feb 1 2005, 02:00 PM
I believe the car is supposed to be currently registered if wheels are on the ground. I've only seen them towed from the front.
Posted by: SLITS Feb 1 2005, 02:14 PM
I drag them ass first (they usually have an engine in them).
I take a section of rope and slam it in the drivers door...loop it thru the steering wheel and slam it in the passenger door.
Don't drive 80+ ass first as the windshield will prolly blow out.
Posted by: spunone Feb 1 2005, 02:36 PM
Thanks for the tips 
Posted by: Reiche Feb 1 2005, 03:22 PM
I recommend NOT trailering them tail-first. The rear trunk has no safety latch, and if/when it pops up at highway speed, it will do a lot of damage. (Ask me how I know too.)
Also, I though tow dollies required you to leave the steering unlocked so the car can "corner" with the trailer? It's been a while since I used one though.
Posted by: boxstr Feb 1 2005, 03:35 PM
I tow dolly all the cars I buy, especially if I have one with no motor. You can to either way.Front first or butt first.
Common sense says, make sure everything is secure. Lids,tops, and lug nuts.
My tow dolly pivots in the middle, so I can lock or not lock the steering wheel. I loop a bunge cord around the steering wheel and then to the brace under the drivers seat.
All you need to do is put the steering wheel in the straight position and then remove the ignition key . It will lock the steering wheel in place.
It really isn't that hard to do.
CCLINTOWTIME
Posted by: SLITS Feb 1 2005, 04:15 PM
| QUOTE (Reiche @ Feb 1 2005, 02:22 PM) |
| I recommend NOT trailering them tail-first. The rear trunk has no safety latch, and if/when it pops up at highway speed, it will do a lot of damage. (Ask me how I know too.) Also, I though tow dollies required you to leave the steering unlocked so the car can "corner" with the trailer? It's been a while since I used one though. |
The wheels on any trailer (except long fire trucks) are solid axle and do not turn..The wheels are independent and will turn at different speeds in a turn so they do not need to turn (as in steering).
if you unlock the steering, the car is free to wander back and forth behind you and maybe try to pass you.
Posted by: Reiche Feb 1 2005, 04:31 PM
| QUOTE (SLITS @ Feb 1 2005, 02:15 PM) |
| The wheels on any trailer (except long fire trucks) are solid axle and do not turn..The wheels are independent and will turn at different speeds in a turn so they do not need to turn (as in steering). if you unlock the steering, the car is free to wander back and forth behind you and maybe try to pass you. |
OK smart guy, if the wheels don't turn, how do they roll?
Seriously, what I was thinking was that you are basically replacing the car's front axle with the trailer's. It seemed to me that letting the steering turn freely would shorten the cornering radius of the combination. However, I checked the UHaul web site and they insist the steering be locked. They also have this warning:
"The vehicle-in-tow MUST be loaded facing forward (front wheels on tow dolly). Failure to load facing forward may result in a combination disturbance at the recommended maximum speed of 45 mph or below."
Is that what you are talking about?
Posted by: Rhodes71/914 Feb 1 2005, 07:16 PM
When I brought my 914 home I towed front first which is the way I have always done it. That was fine until 30 minutes into the trip I had a back tire blow out. Should have seen my wife and I push it off the dolly, turn it around on the shoulder of I-5 and push it back on the dolly backwards. Got the front wheels straight and let the steering lock.
No problems for all 400 miles.
Posted by: trekkor Feb 1 2005, 07:17 PM
I have towed my 914 over a thousand miles last year on a dolly.
To avoid problems: leave cable winch connected as a safety. Tighten tire straps and check frequently. Tow nose first. If you have no engine or trans, remove axles.
The tow dolly should have pivot under the wheel carraige so the car can corner easier. If it's a small dolly it's fine without the pivot.
Don't speed...Allow extra time for the checking stops. 
Happy trailering.
KT
Posted by: trekkor Feb 1 2005, 07:21 PM
Oh, and tow behind a BIG truck 
KT
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Posted by: bondo Feb 1 2005, 07:26 PM
| QUOTE (trekkor @ Feb 1 2005, 06:17 PM) |
| Tow nose first. If you have no engine or trans, remove axles. |
Ack! With no axles nothing holds the hub in the bearing! If you MUST do this, at least take the stub axles off the CVs and put them back in!
Posted by: trekkor Feb 1 2005, 08:31 PM
| QUOTE |
| nothing holds the hub in the bearing |
I'm not so sure about that...
Here's it being done and towed it 20 miles with no problem.
The CV axles just bolt to the flanges. I don't think they hold anything together except themselves.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
KT
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Posted by: bondo Feb 1 2005, 08:34 PM
| QUOTE (trekkor @ Feb 1 2005, 07:31 PM) |
| The CV axles just bolt to the flanges. I don't think they hold anything together except themselves. |
They do just bolt to the flanges.. one flange is on the trans, the other is on the stub axle. You can't get at the flange on the stub axle without undoing the big castellated nut on the end, and pulling the whole stub axle/CV assembly.
What I'm saying is: if you do that, take the stub axle off the assembly and put it back into the hub, and replace the castellated nut.
Posted by: trekkor Feb 1 2005, 08:43 PM
No attack meant by this:
Not the case, sir.
Notice the pic of Martin doing it as three witnesses watch on.
Just takes a big pry bar to pop it out of there. 
I know the Haynes manuel says differantly.
( they want a front end tear down to replace the struts, too )
I seen it!
Just FYI. Parts car by the way... Reassembly could be trouble.
Tow dollies are cool , BTW 
KT
Posted by: URY914 Feb 1 2005, 08:45 PM
NOT my car
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Posted by: bondo Feb 1 2005, 09:08 PM
| QUOTE (trekkor @ Feb 1 2005, 07:43 PM) |
| No attack meant by this: Not the case, sir. Notice the pic of Martin doing it as three witnesses watch on. Just takes a big pry bar to pop it out of there. I know the Haynes manuel says differantly. ( they want a front end tear down to replace the struts, too ) I seen it! Just FYI. Parts car by the way... Reassembly could be trouble. Tow dollies are cool , BTW KT |
Oh, I see.. well if you you do it that way... nevermind
To me "remove axles" means taking off that nut and taking out the whole assembly just because that's the way I've done it. I'm glad we calrified this, so nobody will do what I was thinking you meant and lose a wheel. All I'm saying is make sure that nut is in place, one way or another
Posted by: Headrage Feb 1 2005, 09:43 PM
| QUOTE (trekkor @ Feb 1 2005, 05:17 PM) |
| Tighten tire straps and check frequently. Don't speed...Allow extra time for the checking stops. |
I towed mine home when I bought it with a dolly and stopped every 40-50 miles. One of the tire straps would always shift and loosen.
Posted by: ! Feb 1 2005, 09:47 PM
| QUOTE (Reiche @ Feb 1 2005, 01:22 PM) |
| I recommend NOT trailering them tail-first. The rear trunk has no safety latch, and if/when it pops up at highway speed, it will do a lot of damage. (Ask me how I know too.) Also, I though tow dollies required you to leave the steering unlocked so the car can "corner" with the trailer? It's been a while since I used one though. |
Me three....
Posted by: SLITS Feb 2 2005, 12:46 AM
| QUOTE (Reiche @ Feb 1 2005, 03:31 PM) | ||
OK smart guy, if the wheels don't turn, how do they roll? Seriously, what I was thinking was that you are basically replacing the car's front axle with the trailer's. It seemed to me that letting the steering turn freely would shorten the cornering radius of the combination. However, I checked the UHaul web site and they insist the steering be locked. They also have this warning: "The vehicle-in-tow MUST be loaded facing forward (front wheels on tow dolly). Failure to load facing forward may result in a combination disturbance at the recommended maximum speed of 45 mph or below." Is that what you are talking about? |
Yaaaas
Yea, UHaul refused to rent to me when I told them I was ging to load it ass first. Went to another and didn't tell them
Most dollys pivot. If you don't lock the steering axle down, you just might see your car 1/2 lane over in your rearview mirror.
I noticed this trend when my rope loosened up on me 
Anyway, if I don't tow with a trailer, I tow butt first as that is where most of the weight is and I want weight on the tongue of the trailer for better straight line stability.
Oh.....I also run with the targa in place and the targa and rear trunk lid Duct Taped down.....they were parts cars so I didn't mind glue on the paint.
And, UHaul is referencing a front engine vehicle...they don't know about rear or mid-engine vehicles. You must have weight on the tongue attached to the ball or the trailer will whip back and forth.
Posted by: GWN7 Feb 2 2005, 01:21 AM
| QUOTE (Rhodes71/914 @ Feb 1 2005, 05:16 PM) |
| When I brought my 914 home I towed front first which is the way I have always done it. That was fine until 30 minutes into the trip I had a back tire blow out. Should have seen my wife and I push it off the dolly, turn it around on the shoulder of I-5 and push it back on the dolly backwards. Got the front wheels straight and let the steering lock. No problems for all 400 miles. |
comealong....load and unload it by yourself
Posted by: Rhodes71/914 Feb 2 2005, 01:22 AM
I just have to add this because I am still amazed myself.
I moved to Oregon from Alaska in the middle of December with a 99 Toyota Tacoma 4wd pickup with canopy full. In tow on a dolly with no pivot was a 67 21 window VW bus full.
5 days, 3000 miles, various snow storms, an ice storm, and no problems.
I think I used a lot of good karma for that one.
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