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> towing a teener, backwards?
bare 1
post Apr 10 2010, 04:30 PM
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On a two wheel dolly. due to circumstances beyond my control I gotta drag my rig from north of Seattle to Phoenix Anybody towed this way?? She got no motor or tranny in her and my wife does'nt like the idea of a full size trailer behind her Grand Cherokee. (she's doing the driving , I have larger responsibilities) I'm a lttle concerned with the front end waltzing all over the place. Any experience with this??
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davep
post Apr 10 2010, 04:37 PM
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I trailered my LE backwards one time. Not sure what windows were in at the time. Something was open though, and the windshield disappeared (never to be seen again) due to the wind blowing the glass right out.
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jimkelly
post Apr 10 2010, 04:37 PM
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yes - i tied the steering wheel to keep the front wheels straight.
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URY914
post Apr 10 2010, 04:39 PM
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If the steering wheel locks works I would think you should be OK. But you need to be careful of the roof. They sometime fly off when being towed b/w.
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Silverstreak
post Apr 10 2010, 04:40 PM
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The PO of my 914 towed it backward on a dolly from Washington to Florida. The only thing that went wrong is the rear deck lid apparently flew up. I drive a tow truck for a living and don't like towing cars backwards but it has to be done sometimes. Most cars nowadays have locking steering wheels so I first lock it as straight as possible then run the seatbelt threw and around it and slide the seat back. This car will be different obviously but you can lock it in place with a ratchett strap. Tell your wife to go easy. I noticed you said there is no motor or tranny, are the cv's still attached? You may be able to tow it from the front since there's no tranny to detroy.
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DBCooper
post Apr 10 2010, 06:47 PM
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Yeah the top, but I've also heard of a windshield being popped out of a backwards tow by a gust of wind. If I were doing it and going that far I'd pull the axles and tow it normally, front first. And if the tires were good I'd flat tow it. Lots easier and more stable than a dolly. Probably cheaper, too.
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hot_shoe914
post Apr 10 2010, 07:26 PM
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I have towed one of mine around town backwards many times and even down the interstate to another town with no problems. Get a couple of bungees to secure the steering wheel straight and roll the windows up and make sure the top is secure. I am about to tow the same car from Memphis to RICHMOND, vA. iF YOU DO REMOVE THE AXELS THEN i RECOMMEND TOWING FROM THE FRONT. I towed one from Memhis, to LA and then towed my LE back to Memphis on a tow dolly. Never knew it was back there.

Good Luck,
Shoe
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dakotaewing
post Apr 10 2010, 07:43 PM
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Please don't tow it backwards -
Chances are significant that there will be damage to your car
if you tow it that way any amount of distance...
Seen it more than a few times, the results vary from ripping the top off,
the windshield coming out, the rear trunk lid popping up, over and onto
the car, and then into traffic behind you -

No matter how it turned out, it was far more trouble than doing it the right way the first time...
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McMark
post Apr 10 2010, 07:45 PM
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All kinds of things that can go wrong. Good luck. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)
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JRust
post Apr 10 2010, 08:29 PM
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QUOTE(davep @ Apr 10 2010, 03:37 PM) *

I trailered my LE backwards one time. Not sure what windows were in at the time. Something was open though, and the windshield disappeared (never to be seen again) due to the wind blowing the glass right out.

LOL! I did the same damn thing. It's fine but definately make sure the doors are closed & the window is up.
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montoya 73 2.0
post Apr 10 2010, 09:56 PM
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What about flat towing?
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Krank
post Apr 10 2010, 10:35 PM
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QUOTE(montoya 73 2.0 @ Apr 10 2010, 09:56 PM) *

What about flat towing?



For the future, what about flat towing fully assembled (with trans installed)?
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montoya 73 2.0
post Apr 10 2010, 10:45 PM
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QUOTE(Krank @ Apr 10 2010, 09:35 PM) *

QUOTE(montoya 73 2.0 @ Apr 10 2010, 09:56 PM) *

What about flat towing?



For the future, what about flat towing fully assembled (with trans installed)?



forgot said no trans. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif)
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bdstone914
post Apr 10 2010, 11:58 PM
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I have towed 914's backward on a two wheel dollies a few times. Had one incident where the front caliper bolts fell out and the caliper wedged in the wheel and locked it up solid. This was just after towing 500 miles and pulling into a parking lot. Those flat sheet metal bolt retainers are important on the front calipers bolts.

Bruce
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DBCooper
post Apr 11 2010, 04:57 AM
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QUOTE(Krank @ Apr 10 2010, 08:35 PM) *

QUOTE(montoya 73 2.0 @ Apr 10 2010, 09:56 PM) *

What about flat towing?



For the future, what about flat towing fully assembled (with trans installed)?


If the car being towed is sound there's no comparison, flat's the easiest and safest. I've towed with a dolly, on a trailer behind a big box truck, and flat. If you have a huge tow vehicle pick any of them, but that changes when the tow vehicle gets smaller. The dolly is almost a lane wide and gusts can steer even a compact truck. I'll never tow a dolly behind a car ever again. But behind even a mid-sized car a flat-towed 914 simply disappears. You need to look back to know it's still there. California to Texas and Texas to California several times with an Acura RL, and my son from California to Connecticut towing with a Subaru wagon. Get the Rennenmetal hitch and don't look back.
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Gint
post Apr 11 2010, 09:54 AM
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I think I've drug a 914 just about any way it's possible to do it. Except for flat towing backwards. Maybe flat/backwards/snowstorm... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) no, nevermind.

Tried it once backwards on a two wheel dolly. I ended up stopping before too long and turning the car around. Can't really remember why right now, but I wouldn't try to do it backwards again. The possibility os something going wrong is much greater backwards than forwards.

You've got the stubs and hubs installed in the back right?
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ArtechnikA
post Apr 11 2010, 10:09 AM
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QUOTE(Gint @ Apr 11 2010, 11:54 AM) *

You've got the stubs and hubs installed in the back right?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) With the stub axles removed from the halfshafts and properly installed with hubs this is all you need. You may in fact be better off since you're not spinning the transmission.

I wouldn't trust the steering lock but that's me...
It _shouldn't_ break but if it did for whatever reason the consequences would be unpleasant...
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EdwardBlume
post Apr 11 2010, 04:00 PM
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QUOTE(hot_shoe914 @ Apr 10 2010, 06:26 PM) *

I have towed one of mine around town backwards many times and even down the interstate to another town with no problems. Get a couple of bungees to secure the steering wheel straight and roll the windows up and make sure the top is secure. I am about to tow the same car from Memphis to RICHMOND, vA. iF YOU DO REMOVE THE AXELS THEN i RECOMMEND TOWING FROM THE FRONT. I towed one from Memhis, to LA and then towed my LE back to Memphis on a tow dolly. Never knew it was back there.

Good Luck,
Shoe

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thisthreadisworthlesswithoutpics.gif)
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r_towle
post Apr 11 2010, 04:54 PM
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It should be fine.
the steering will stay straight even if the lock breaks.
I would personally never do it, but physics says it should follow the direction of travel.

If it was me, I would remove the axles from the stub axles and leave the stub axle in place so you dont ruin the bearings.

It will tow fine that way and you wont risk any glass blowing off, or the roof, or the rear deck lid....none of which are designed to go 60mph in reverse..

Rich
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Gint
post Apr 11 2010, 05:06 PM
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No it won't if the lock isn't engaged. BTDT. It will stay straight (sort of) wen you're going straight. And it's no fun when you've got 3 steering points going. Changing lanes on a highway ... whee!
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