View Full Version : Flat towing info?
I might be able to go to Daytona for the Turkey Run. The wife doesn't want to ride 13 hours in a COLD roadster. I'm thinking of flat towing it behind the 48. I've never flat towed before and need to everything I can. The roadster is an automatic so I'll have to unhook the driveshaft. Do the front wheels need to be locked in place or will they be fine. Is it insane to flat tow a car from Pensylvania to Florida? Will it be squirrelly at higher speeds?
Clark
It's my understanding that you only have to remove the drive shaft if the transmission has a rear pump, like early Hydramatics and Powerglides do.
Are you sure on that? I've got a turbo 350 and I've heard of them wanting to jump from neutral to reverse at speeds above 60. Racers will put the tranny in neutral after going through the lights. Saw a car flip after he did this and they blamed it on the tranny.
It's not too hard to unhhok. Might just do it to be safe.
Clark
shifts
10-17-2003, 12:40 PM
Just the opposite DrJ. However, I wouldnt tow anything that far without either removing the shaft or use a aux electric pump designed for this purpose.If it were me, I'd use a tow dolly w/ shaft removed. Dave
I don't have access to a dolly and the trailer my father has is a utillity trailer and sits too high. Glasshole has a tow bar he will give me. Plus it would look cool as hell going down the road.
Clark
Tinbender
10-17-2003, 12:54 PM
I flat towed a falcon that I bought a few years ago. Well over 100 miles. Couldn't tell it was back there.
Make sure everything is in good shape(rear end seals, wheel bearings etc.) I'd pull the drive shaft, and plug the tranny. Buy or build a good tow bar. I don't see any real advantage to using a dolly. The motorhome guys are flat towing for thousands of miles.
I'll be setting up my 33 p/u for flat towing, no way an old guy like me will drive a chopped & channeled 33 across the country.(I'd like to be able to walk when I get to wherever I'm going!)
enjenjo
10-17-2003, 01:00 PM
I have flat towed clear across the country, over 2500 miles, no problem, at speeds up to 80 mph. Pull the driveshaft, and install the tow bar. The steering will autosteer, unless you are backing up.
Make sure you have good tires on the vehicle being towed, the Dream truck was wrecked when a tire blew on it while being flat towed.
The roadster is in great shape. I'd drive it if the wife could hitch a ride with someone else. I'll pull the windsheild off the roadster but should I worry about the headlights(E&Js)? They would be right in the line of fire for stones off the tires.
Clark
four-thirteen
10-17-2003, 01:12 PM
I've towed 5 cars 2000 miles from so cal to minnesota, and a dozen other short 600 mile trips. If the alignment is right, you don't need to lock the wheels stright. If they are locked, you will need to drag it around corners, which anit pretty. Always drop the driveshaft. Good tires are a must on the front on the towed car. You might also need to and weight to the towing vehicle, sometimes the towed car wants to push the rear end around a bit, and you have to keep a tight grip on the wheel to keep the thing going straight. Dave
The 48 weighs about twice as much as the roadster.
Clark
Tinbender
10-17-2003, 01:21 PM
Build a temp. mud flap for the tow car. Hang it off the bumper.
BigJim394
10-17-2003, 01:33 PM
Make sure the tail lights of the towed car are in synch with the car doing the towing, and if they are something like blue dots, change them out for plain red lenses for the tow. Don't give the State Cops / Highway patrol a reason to stop you and give you a ticket or make you get it "fixed" before you can go on your way.
Antibilly
10-17-2003, 02:19 PM
how about just bring one car?...make life a little easier on yourself....what are you trying to prove by hauling all this nice work into the sunshine state?
or rent a tow doly.....rent it local from Ryder and just keep it a little longer than planned
cool57
10-17-2003, 02:58 PM
Stretch a couple rubber swim caps over the headlights.
sawzall
10-17-2003, 02:58 PM
clarke
cathie and I are planning to go too. when will you leave for florida? maybe we can run together
later
sawzall
lulabelle
10-17-2003, 03:22 PM
You drive the rpu,she can drive the 48.Sawzall can follow behind to pick up the droppings. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gifHave fun!(I won't tell your boss you drove a roadster that far with the bad back and all!)
manyolcars
10-17-2003, 03:45 PM
Seems like I read somewhere to tow a 350 turbo no more than 50 miles @ 35mph. If you disconnect the rear of the driveshaft, tie it up or put another yoke to keep trans fluid from running out the rear.
Deuce Roadster
10-17-2003, 03:49 PM
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
It would NOT be cold for 13 hours....... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
It is almost always above 50 - 55 in the daylight hours in South Carolina. Georgia and Florida too. I drive my Roadster every other year. Drive the 40 the alternate years. It has NO heater....but does have windows http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
North Carolina is a bit colder but not bad.
See ya there http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
.
Mr Link..... I just want to bring the roadster but the wife won't ride in it. As for the 48 it's the only vehicle I have that will pull it. The wife's Festiva will look funny pullin the roadster (if it could).
Do you know if they still have the antique races on the beach? I'd love to get the roadster in that.
Clark
Lullabelle...shouldn't I be fallowing Jeff to pick up the peices? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Duece Roadster...I figure if I leave about 11 here I'd be ok. Then again we've left in the snow (came back in it too)and I have no top, no windows and plenty of ventilation. Can you help me convince the wife that it will be ok? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
old beet
10-17-2003, 10:34 PM
As posted some time ago, we used towing hubs before we had a trailer. Don't know if anyone makes them now......OLDBEET
Deuce Roadster
10-17-2003, 10:37 PM
[ QUOTE ]
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Deuce Roadster...I figure if I leave about 11 here I'd be ok. Then again we've left in the snow (came back in it too)and I have no top, no windows and plenty of ventilation. Can you help me convince the wife that it will be ok? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
[/ QUOTE ]
Well........I do have a TOP.
http://photo.starblvd.net/~DeuceRoadster/1-2-2.jpg
And it helps a good bit on the wind factor.
Just tell the WIFE that if she does not want to go to Daytona with you............your girl friend does http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Then after the divorce, you can move to a warmer climate.....
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
46mopar
10-19-2003, 12:05 AM
I did it last year with no heat. That was a one time thing we will have heat or the car will be on the trailer.
SoWhat and Sawzall let me know when your leaving I am going too.
sawzall
10-19-2003, 07:12 PM
mopar
after a conversation today with so what I think were gonna leave on tuesday nite (the tues before thanksgivin) and run as far as we can and catch a room.. then we'll do the rest on wed.. on the way home it sounds like were gonna leave sat nite and run part way home.. since clarke warned me about traffic on sunday.. plus the fact that we MUST be to work on monday after thanksgivin.. where are you stayin??
later
sawzall
Not sure when or how I'm goig yet but we did get a room today. We're stayin next door to the LaPlaya.
46Mojunk http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif.... when are you leavin?
Clark
46mopar
10-19-2003, 09:01 PM
I think we are leaving Wednesday and we are going to stay in my inlaws motorhome down there. We are going to stay till Monday and take are time going home I have the week off.
haring
10-20-2003, 12:11 AM
Clark,
How difficult would it be to add a small heatre box under the dash? I've seen old ones at swap meets and figured you coul just plumb the engine coolant to it. Next, make a tonneau cover with flapped cut-outs for the driver and passenger. Perhaps it sounds ridiculous, but it could be very neat. Take a look at early dry lakes cars for inspiration.
If this sounds stupid, I blame it on my lack of sleep and back pain medication. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Harring.....Do ya wanta share some of that medication???? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif My original plan was to do exactly what you described but he 3 inches missing on the bottom of the doors sorta defeats the purpose.
Unless the wife finds CHEAP plane tickets. I'll be towing it behind the 48.
Clark
moondisc
10-20-2003, 01:47 PM
My bud just gave me a nice car trailer yesterday.
Now if I can talk the ole lady into going to Fla, I'll stop on the way and pickup your rpu.
Moondisc.... should I send her flowers? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I'll have fun either way I go.
Clark
vBulletin® v3.8.7, Copyright ©2000-2012, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.