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Old 03-28-2020, 05:03 PM   #1
chiefdave
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Default tow dolly

I just bought a '62 Flare side and need to get it 75 miles home. Its a 3 speed stick would a tow dolly work without pulling the drive shaft? Nothing on my route is over 55 MPH.
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Old 03-28-2020, 06:25 PM   #2
rotorwrench
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Default Re: tow dolly

The automatics with no rear pump are the ones you have to pull that shaft for. They can be towed backwards but the steering wheel has to be roped off.

A lot of the Ford cruise-o-matic transmissions actually have a rear pump (so the vehicle could be pull started) but a standard transmission will just freewheel the mainshaft as long as it's in neutral. If there is oil in the transmission it should be OK for shorter distances like that.

Last edited by rotorwrench; 03-28-2020 at 06:35 PM.
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Old 03-28-2020, 07:11 PM   #3
Lanny
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Default Re: tow dolly

Quote:
Originally Posted by chiefdave View Post
I just bought a '62 Flare side and need to get it 75 miles home. Its a 3 speed stick would a tow dolly work without pulling the drive shaft? Nothing on my route is over 55 MPH.
==========================================




Now you have the good advice about your tranny question, you're good there.

If you have used a tow dolly before, then you prolly already know what
advice I have for you, and that is, do Not pull into someplace where you
need to backup. A vehicle on a dolly pulls forward with relative ease, but
if you need to backup, the dolly acts as a pivot, and the vehicle on dolly
wants to go in one direction, and the dolly in another direction, so
backing up for over a couple feet, gets almost impossible.




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Old 03-28-2020, 08:26 PM   #4
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Default Re: tow dolly

Quote:
Originally Posted by rotorwrench View Post
... a standard transmission will just freewheel the mainshaft as long as it's in neutral. If there is oil in the transmission it should be OK for shorter distances like that.
...and oil in the differential along with good rear axle/wheel bearings.
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Old 03-29-2020, 03:09 PM   #5
hotrodart
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Default Re: tow dolly

You might want to make sure a tow dolly is OK on the highways you plan to use. I towed a car from New Hampshire to Virginia......the New Jersey turnpike and Garden State Parkway would not allow the tow dolly......for reasons unknown to the state employees. I had to travel all back roads to get through the state......not fun!
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Old 03-29-2020, 04:48 PM   #6
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Default Re: tow dolly

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Beg, borrow or steal a U-haul trailer................
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Old 03-29-2020, 05:17 PM   #7
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Default Re: tow dolly

All good info. I'll add check your state laws as far as having an unregistered vehicle on the road. Even with only 2 wheels touching the road some states require it be registered. You could get a temp reg to get around that.
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Old 03-29-2020, 06:07 PM   #8
dmsfrr
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Default Re: tow dolly

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Originally Posted by 50fordcoupeman View Post
Beg, borrow or steal a U-haul trailer................
U-haul has trailer towing rules written by their entire staff of liability attorneys. They'll ask what you're putting on the trailer and what you're pulling it with. If your towing vehicle isn't on their list to handle the load they won't rent you the trailer.
If you tell them you're hauling a 'smaller' vehicle and something unfortunate happens, they sue you.
.

Last edited by dmsfrr; 03-29-2020 at 06:13 PM.
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Old 04-02-2020, 09:52 PM   #9
chiefdave
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Default Re: tow dolly

Uhaul didn't have the wider tow dolly so I rented a trailer. In hindsight I'm glad I did.
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Old 04-02-2020, 11:07 PM   #10
dmsfrr
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Default Re: tow dolly

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Originally Posted by chiefdave View Post
Uhaul didn't have the wider tow dolly so I rented a trailer. In hindsight I'm glad I did.
Last summer the small difference in price I had to pay between those two choices made it an easy decision. The few times I've had to rent one, their trailers tow very nicely when pulled by a 3/4 ton(+) truck.

edit... just an afterthought
Before hooking up a rental trailer (or tow dolly) double check the tire treads for feathering or uneven wear. This is an indication of poor wheel alignment that will reduce fuel mileage and create troublesome towing, or worse. I've not had a previous problem with their equipment but there's always a first time.

'Borrowed' towing equipment that is seldom inspected or serviced should be checked a little more closely, especially for longer distance use. Losing wheel bearings out in the middle of nowhere (northern mexico) isn't a good thing.
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Last edited by dmsfrr; 04-03-2020 at 03:09 PM.
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