towing 29 A

[oldforder]

I am wondering the proper place to hook a chain or rope to tow my Tudor across town. maybe at most 5 miles, probably less. It would be slow speed on side streets. Should I hook to the axle on the outer end, or would the bumper brackets be better???

[ronn]

I would hook to the axle. The bumpers can get bent.

[Bob C]

If you pull from the axle connect near the spring perch not the center of the axle.

Bob

[WHN]

Put it on a roll on truck.

Why take a chance with 90 year old metal. Enjoy.

[1crosscut]

Use two chains. Attach the ends of the first chain at each spring perch. Attach the second chain in the center of the first chain and attach it to the tow vehicle. You may want to wire the hooks in place so they don't come loose when slack is allowed into the chain.
The towed vehicle should do most if not all of the braking for both vehicles.

[nick c]

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If you hook the chain in the center of the axle, you can easily bend the axle, and put too much stress on the bell housing, take a short piece of chain 8 or 10 ft and go through the axle wish bone hole then hook another chain into that one and secure it with wire or tape so it wont come unhooked, then hook to tow vehicle.
carry on

[oldforder]

I like 1crosscut's idea. I have a 10 ft heavy chain, and also a nylon tow rope. Thanks all!

[Charlie Stephens]

Put your general location in your profile and maybe someone will have a tow bar that they will loan you. An chance you live in Los Angeles? I don't think I would tow across town, maybe around the block.

Charlie Stephens

[Fullraceflathead]

I would use a nylon tow strap so you don't jerk the Model A too hard as a chain has little give but a Tow Strap will stretch a foot or so as its designed to.

[todd3131]

What do you want to tow it and not have it moved by a roll back?

[pooch]

Is it legal to flat tow in Nebraska?

[oldforder]

It is legal yes. And I am talking only in town side streets at 10 mph or so. And I don't want to use a roll back because I can tow it cheaper. Actually at the present time it runs and drives fine. I am simply thinking ahead just in case it were to have a problem in the future. Maybe my Condon and Skelly insurance covers some towing. I need to check that out. I will probably never drive it more than 5 miles from my house. I have my 65 Mustang that I use for more distant shows and cruises. Or my 64 Ranchero.

[daveymc29]

Don't do like I did and use a parachute rope. It reacted like a bungee cord and the tow vehicle had driven almost out of sight before I moved, then in a flash I caught up. Don't pull with anything that hooks to the bumper. I towed my roadster over the Santa Cruz Mtns with a bumper mounted tow bar at road speed, 65 to 75 most of the way, My truck made the turn onto my street dragging the bumper while my new acquisition rolled merrily into my neighbors juniper hedge. Took several days and material for me to pound out the fenders and repaint them. The mounting bolts were repo and made of pot metal then chromed. Like thousand year old egg, "Look good on outside." Bolts broke right off. Like the guy said when his horse died, "It never did that before."

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by oldforder

i am simply thinking ahead just in case it were to have a problem in the future.

aaa

[3.6rs]

Less then 5 miles : push it (enjoy the Model A every minut)

[3.6rs]

This is also an option ;

[Marshall V. Daut]

Be sure to make WIDE, slow turns while towing. The way the Model A steering is designed, the sector gear doesn't always return to its neutral center position and allow the front wheels to straighten out after completing a turn, especially a tight one. After making a turn, pull over and ensure that the wheels have straightened themselves out. Otherwise, they'll remain cocked and skid along without you knowing it. Depending upon the size and power of the tow vehicle, you may or may not feel the extra drag. This phenomenon happened to me in the distant past before I decided to remove the pitman arm from the sector gear's shaft and support the now-disconnected drag link in a loose rope "sling" from the frame. Other times I simply removed the drag link from the steering arm ball up front. Tie off the front of the drag link so that it doesn't flop around. Don't forget to put the drag link back over the steering arm ball before driving away!
Marshall

[3.6rs]

Originally Posted by Marshall V. Daut

... After making a turn, pull over and ensure that the wheels have straightened themselves out. ...

Really ??? What is the problem when there is sitting someone in the towed vehicle ? None I think.

[Marshall V. Daut]

"Really ??? What is the problem when there is sitting someone in the towed vehicle ? None I think"

I don't know how the traffic laws read in Belgium, but I rather think that in most states in this country it is illegal to have someone sitting in a vehicle that is being flat towed, even if that person were sitting behind the steering wheel. If it isn't against the law, it SHOULD be - for obvious reasons. To do so for more than a block or two to make it home would just be asking for a written citation from the friendly local authorities (cops!) at the least.
Marshall

[pooch]

Wow, so with no one in the towed vehicle it is going to hit uou up the arse at every stop, EVEN if it could possibly track you around a corner.

It is, and it maybe over there, legal to tow a vehicle using an approved engineered A frame.

But the OP here is talking about a rope or a chain.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I would tie an old tire on each rear bumper, then push the car.

[3.6rs]

Originally Posted by Marshall V. Daut

"Really ??? What is the problem when there is sitting someone in the towed vehicle ? None I think"

I don't know how the traffic laws read in Belgium, but I rather think that in most states in this country it is illegal to have someone sitting in a vehicle that is being flat towed, even if that person were sitting behind the steering wheel. If it isn't against the law, it SHOULD be - for obvious reasons. To do so for more than a block or two to make it home would just be asking for a written citation from the friendly local authorities (cops!) at the least.
Marshall

Well, the law in Belgium ; there must be a person behind the steering wheel of the towed vehicle ! That's the most logic, don't you think?! And the law says also ; A-frame is NOT allowed !

[Marshall V. Daut]

We may be envisioning two different towing methods: one with a simple strap and one with a fixed tow bar. I realize that the OP was discussing towing with a rope and/or chain, but my comments were addressing the only kind of Model A towing I've ever been involved with, namely with a tow bar. No one could argue that such a towing method is safer than by a rope or chain. With a fixed tow bar, a "driver" in the towed vehicle is not needed and that's when problems with the front wheels not returning to center occur. If a car is pulled by a strap or chain, however, then a "driver" would be necessary to steer and use the brakes. I am still not sure how the law reads in this regard. The local police might be more understanding if the car is towed by a rope or chain for a few blocks just to get a disabled car out of traffic. But towing this way from one town to another might be pushing the tolerance of the law.
The OP estimates a distance of five miles towing with a rope and/or chain. One must take into consideration the types of roads and traffic he will encounter. All city streets? Country roads? A combination of both? Heavy or light traffic? Time of day? Weekday or weekend day? These are factors that could make his towing experience easy or a nightmare. Communication between the tow vehicle and the Model A being towed will be critical, especially when unanticipated stops arise. Cell phones in continual use between the two vehicles would almost be mandatory.
My comments about the front wheels' tendency not returning to the neutral position after a turn are still valid and should be remembered by anyone towing a Model A in the future with a FIXED tow bar and no "driver" in the Model A. Without disabling the drag link, the key to a going around corners is to make wide, gentle turns and then check that the wheels have returned to the center position after a sharp turn.
Marshall

[1928Mik]

I would be hesitant about using a chain, get a strap. When I was much younger living at home, and before I got a trailer, my Dad used to tow his a couple of miles to the shop with a tow bar. It attached to the front bumper braces. He would stick me inside to turn the front wheels. I have that tow bar For Sale if anybody's interested. Fits a 2" ball.

[3.6rs]

I really don't understand all the hustle just for towing a car for a couple of miles...

[oldforder]

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I agree with post 25. People around here tow cars all the time with chains/straps. I simply wanted to know where is the safest place to hook so as not to damage the A. I got it now so thank you all. Also, I have towed, and been towed in various vehicles before, so I know how it works. Again, thanks.

[vern hodgson]

I had my ex wife tow me 35 miles from point A to point B. She simply did not get the idea that mech brakes were not like modern brakes. 45 to 50 mph on the fwy on the end of a 20 foot long tow rope, now that gets your adrenaline up. Bout the third time I rammed her she got the picture. Sure glad the A bumpers are springy. Oh did I mention EX wife.

[1wonton]

Is this a real question? Can't think of anything much less complicated than towing a Model a, just throw a chain around the front axle and have someone ride inside. Use hand signals to indicate stopping (and no, you wont bend the front axle. Sheese)

[pooch]

Although if your ball and/or receiver at the wishbone end was worn or loose, it could rip the whole front end right out......

[3.6rs]

Originally Posted by pooch

Although if your ball and/or receiver at the wishbone end was worn or loose, it could rip the whole front end right out......

That only happens with Stan and Oliver...

[desotoguy]

Roll back is a bad idea. I have personally had a late model car towed on a roll back, instructions to driver not to pull it to tight. His reply as he pulled the leaver one more time, insurance say it must be tight. Hate to think what would happen to a model A front axle with that kind of pressure.

[WHN]

Originally Posted by desotoguy

Roll back is a bad idea. I have personally had a late model car towed on a roll back, instructions to driver not to pull it to tight. His reply as he pulled the leaver one more time, insurance say it must be tight. Hate to think what would happen to a model A front axle with that kind of pressure.

Collector cars of all types and values are shipped locally and around the world using this same system.

Pulling an antique car using the front axel with a chain or rope is safer and better? Were not talking about moving it out of the garage. We are talking about moving it down the road.

If done right, should not harm car. Safety first and foremost. Spend a little money.

We all have our way of doing things. Enjoy.

[holdover]

learned something a very long time ago "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"

In many places it is illegal to tow with a chain or strap, other than to move a vehicle off the road. A tow bar is easy to make or adapt and is a much safer alternative. A trailer is always handy, but may be out of the means of many, but there is usually a friend nearby that has one. Have seen many front axles bent from towing in the middle. Best to plan ahead as you are doing. Besides my antique insurance that provides towing I have AAA, and they send a rollback if requested.

[abachman3]

Our local club has been using a approx. 3 foot piece of 2-inch plastic pipe that we put snug between the bumper of the tow vehicle and model A (Sometimes the tow vehicle is a model A). We use a web strap pulled tight between the two vehicles and through the 2 inch pipe... and we do have someone in the model A to steer and aid in braking. We have towed numerous model A's for several miles when necessary. Pretty straight forward solution and no damage to the model A as it cannot hit the tow vehicle because of the three foot standoff.