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> Flat towing, not since 1973
Elliot Cannon
post Mar 27 2011, 06:28 PM
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It's been a long time since I towed my 1965 bug behind my Mothers 1964 ImpalaSS. U Haul bumper hitch and towbar. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) I learned that day you can't back up while flat towing a car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Any suggestions? I need to go 30 miles. Car's in neutral, battery desconnected, ignition switch on to keep steering wheel from locking, parking brake off. What'd I forget?
Cheers, Elliot


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Elliot Cannon
post Mar 27 2011, 06:30 PM
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Two more.


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AZ914
post Mar 27 2011, 06:34 PM
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I don't think you forgot anything. I've flat towed mine a few times. Can't backup because the wheel will turn the way you don't want it to.
Make sure the door is unlocked so you can get in there quick if necessary.
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URY914
post Mar 27 2011, 06:44 PM
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You may want to cover the cars hood somehow so rocks coming off the trucks tires don't chip that pretty black paint.
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Elliot Cannon
post Mar 27 2011, 06:45 PM
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Thanks Jason. The doors don't lock anyway so... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
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DanT
post Mar 27 2011, 07:00 PM
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Safety chains need to attach to the car. With mine I attached to the tow bracket
With some large chain link connecters
Your draw bar should be low enough so the tow bar is flat.
With it pitched up at the hitch head, every time you hit the brakes the 914 will be pushing up instead of straight forward into The tow vehicle.
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AZ914
post Mar 27 2011, 07:00 PM
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Also, I see your magnet light wire over the mirror etc. I've done it that way and at freeway speeds the thing vibrates and will scuff the clear coat (or paint). IF there is any way you can rig it so the wires don't touch the paint, do it. (and then tell me how you did it...) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
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DanT
post Mar 27 2011, 07:06 PM
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For wiring I hard wired mine with one way diodes, using the stock 914 turn and running lights. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
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r_towle
post Mar 27 2011, 07:25 PM
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Unhook your 914 battery to prevent the key from ruining your ignition.

RIch
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Mike Bellis
post Mar 27 2011, 09:09 PM
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Spend $30 on a drop hitch. 4-6 inches should get the ball down low enough. The angle you have looks scary!
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AZ914
post Mar 27 2011, 09:25 PM
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QUOTE(kg6dxn @ Mar 27 2011, 08:09 PM) *

Spend $30 on a drop hitch. 4-6 inches should get the ball down low enough. The angle you have looks scary!


I agree... The mount should be parallel (or as close to it as possible) as your ball mount. I have a 5" drop off of my slightly lowered Ram.
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Gint
post Mar 27 2011, 09:29 PM
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QUOTE(URY914 @ Mar 27 2011, 05:44 PM) *
You may want to cover the cars hood somehow so rocks coming off the trucks tires don't chip that pretty black paint.
The entire front end will get hammered with whatever debris you kick out from the tow vehicle. Go through some road construction and you're going to be pissed off.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) with everything that's already been said. BTDT
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partwerks
post Mar 27 2011, 09:35 PM
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Beer?
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speed metal army
post Mar 27 2011, 09:53 PM
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U haul car trailer.$49 bux for 24 hours....Way better.
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Elliot Cannon
post Mar 27 2011, 10:18 PM
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QUOTE(r_towle @ Mar 27 2011, 06:25 PM) *

Unhook your 914 battery to prevent the key from ruining your ignition.

RIch

Already done. Thanks.
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Elliot Cannon
post Mar 27 2011, 10:20 PM
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QUOTE(kg6dxn @ Mar 27 2011, 08:09 PM) *

Spend $30 on a drop hitch. 4-6 inches should get the ball down low enough. The angle you have looks scary!

I was concerned about that. I'm only towing a short distance this time. If I tow it a long distance for an event etc. I'll be using a drop down hitch.
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ptravnic
post Mar 27 2011, 10:54 PM
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I usually put the magnetic lights closer to the rear window on top of the engine lid to avoid air flow moving them/scratching up the paint.

To run the wires, I put the wire from the hitch into the front trunk somewhere near the center and up to L or R side side and out of the front trunk near the cowl area, then through the door just ahead of the small "A" window into the cockpit then under the targa on the rollbar. I think that minimizes any wire to paint slapping.
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Elliot Cannon
post Mar 28 2011, 09:34 AM
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QUOTE(ptravnic @ Mar 27 2011, 09:54 PM) *

I usually put the magnetic lights closer to the rear window on top of the engine lid to avoid air flow moving them/scratching up the paint.

To run the wires, I put the wire from the hitch into the front trunk somewhere near the center and up to L or R side side and out of the front trunk near the cowl area, then through the door just ahead of the small "A" window into the cockpit then under the targa on the rollbar. I think that minimizes any wire to paint slapping.


Done. Thanks.
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andys
post Mar 28 2011, 11:05 AM
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Yes you can back the car. My bud that crewed for a Trans Am team back in the early 70's taught me a trick that works extremely well. Attach two bungee cords at the 6 o'clock position on the steering wheel (assuming a three spoke wheel) through one of the usual holes in the spoke. Anchor one bungee low on the left side and one low on the right; when I did my 914, I had the door panels off, so I anchored to the low parts of the doors. A reasonably stout bungee works best; you may have to mess with the lengths to get approximate equal tension.

I have done this many times, and it does work. Don't expect to make any real sharp reversing turns, but it will allow you to back the car just fine. BTW, the car tracks just fine in the forward direction. When I flat tow for any distance, I remove the bungees and re-connect them when I need to back up; this for safety should one of the bungees de-attach, that would obviously want to turn the car......not good when you're towing forward on the freeway at 60MPH.

Andy1
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Elliot Cannon
post Mar 28 2011, 01:10 PM
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Successful tow down to the shop. No problem. I will however buy a new hitch ball that is dropped down about 4-6 inches if I have to tow it over any real distances. Thanks to everyone for the advice.
Cheers, Elliot
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