Towing a heavy vehicle...

[Toastedlightly]

Are there any places that rent trailers/dollies big enough to haul a 1984 Ford F150? I can't find anything that is rentable. Located in Twin Cities, btw.

 

[MichaelD]

The more important question is: "What vehicle will you be doing the doing WITH?"

A standard, 2-wheel dolly from UHaul will hold the front wheels of your said tow-ee vehicle just fine, thank you. But what TRUCK (it better be a truck) will you be towing said 5K pound load with?

 

[d3n]

My question to you would be what are you towing this with? Can you do a gooseneck trailer?
What is the dry weight for the F150?

Someone like united or nations rentals may have construction type trailers to rent out.

 

[MX2]

Just call a towing company and get a flatbed? How many miles is the tow going to be?

 

[Toastedlightly]

I have mulitple options for the tow. First is parent's Expedition w/ tow package and V8 (pretty light truck). Second is my friend's dad's work truck. Chevy 2500 w/ 6L V8, crew cab, long bed, used for construction. Im trying to keep all of this under 100 bucks if possible. The distance can be as alittle at 35 miles (to my grandparents house where I can work on it), or to my residence (~90 miles). Not even sure if I can make my budget, and if I can't , no truck for me

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
The more important question is: "What vehicle will you be doing the doing WITH?"

A standard, 2-wheel dolly from UHaul will hold the front wheels of your said tow-ee vehicle just fine, thank you. But what TRUCK (it better be a truck) will you be towing said 5K pound load with?

They quote on max vehicle weight of 3900 lbs for their dolly. I think 1k over would cause bad things to happen.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: MX2times
Just call a towing company and get a flatbed? How many miles is the tow going to be?

Trying to find numbers and get quotes, but not getting answers (it is sunday after all).

 

[MichaelD]

UHaul dolly + 35 miles = under $100. Go for it.

Though the Expedition isn't the best two vehicle in the world, it'll do. Stay in the right lane, keep it under 40MPH, brake early and you'll live.

 

[MX2]

Originally posted by: Toastedlightly

Originally posted by: MX2times
Just call a towing company and get a flatbed? How many miles is the tow going to be?

Trying to find numbers and get quotes, but not getting answers (it is sunday after all).

Thats right, I forgot it was Sunday

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Toastedlightly

Originally posted by: MichaelD
The more important question is: "What vehicle will you be doing the doing WITH?"

A standard, 2-wheel dolly from UHaul will hold the front wheels of your said tow-ee vehicle just fine, thank you. But what TRUCK (it better be a truck) will you be towing said 5K pound load with?

They quote on max vehicle weight of 3900 lbs for their dolly. I think 1k over would cause bad things to happen.

Yeah, yeah. All you're doing is putting the front wheels of the truck on there. Like I said, keep it under 40MPH, brake early and you'll be fine. Make sure you check the air pressure in the dolly's wheels before loading up. Do not trust the prison escapees that work at UHaul.

 

[DrPizza]

Does the F150 roll if it's in neutral? Does it have brakes? If so, just get a tow rope and pull it (with another driver in the F150). Keep the 4-ways flashing. Make sure that the driver in the F150 knows how to tow this way; it's his responsibity not to let slack develop in the rope. i.e. when braking, he has to anticipate and begin braking before you do.

Been there, done that. Brought the first car I ever purchased home that way; about 25 miles; many years ago.

 

[DainBramaged]

I would try to get a tow bar that would be suitable or a tow dolly that would be heavy duty enough. Then I would do it with the parents Expedition.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Does the F150 roll if it's in neutral? Does it have brakes? If so, just get a tow rope and pull it (with another driver in the F150). Keep the 4-ways flashing. Make sure that the driver in the F150 knows how to tow this way; it's his responsibity not to let slack develop in the rope. i.e. when braking, he has to anticipate and begin braking before you do.

Been there, done that. Brought the first car I ever purchased home that way; about 25 miles; many years ago.

4 Speed manual (yes, it does roll), does have brakes (need to be bled, according to seller). This would be soo much easier if the seller would give me an hour or so to just fix the damn truck on his property before I took off .

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Does the F150 roll if it's in neutral? Does it have brakes? If so, just get a tow rope and pull it (with another driver in the F150). Keep the 4-ways flashing. Make sure that the driver in the F150 knows how to tow this way; it's his responsibity not to let slack develop in the rope. i.e. when braking, he has to anticipate and begin braking before you do.

Been there, done that. Brought the first car I ever purchased home that way; about 25 miles; many years ago.

Ditto. Done it with a 1978 Chevy Nova, a 1974 Dodge Challenger, a 1968 Mustang, a 1970 Chevy station wagon, a 1980 Suzuki cruiser bike...and more crap than I care to remember.

Oh, and a 1978 El Camino.

 

[Toastedlightly]

I also can't find information on wheelbase + width of vehicle!! Ugh. Anyone know? I'm emailing the owner to see if he can go out and check it for me.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Does the F150 roll if it's in neutral? Does it have brakes? If so, just get a tow rope and pull it (with another driver in the F150). Keep the 4-ways flashing. Make sure that the driver in the F150 knows how to tow this way; it's his responsibity not to let slack develop in the rope. i.e. when braking, he has to anticipate and begin braking before you do.

Been there, done that. Brought the first car I ever purchased home that way; about 25 miles; many years ago.

Ditto. Done it with a 1978 Chevy Nova, a 1974 Dodge Challenger, a 1968 Mustang, a 1970 Chevy station wagon, a 1980 Suzuki cruiser bike...and more crap than I care to remember.

Oh, and a 1978 El Camino.

I've even done it on a bicycle

I've also observed someone who didn't know what they were doing trying this method...the guy in the vehicle being towed let it run over the rope while they were stopped on a downhill, and almost ripped out the wheel when the guy in front started moving again...

Point is, don't do it if you're incompetent.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Does the F150 roll if it's in neutral? Does it have brakes? If so, just get a tow rope and pull it (with another driver in the F150). Keep the 4-ways flashing. Make sure that the driver in the F150 knows how to tow this way; it's his responsibity not to let slack develop in the rope. i.e. when braking, he has to anticipate and begin braking before you do.

Been there, done that. Brought the first car I ever purchased home that way; about 25 miles; many years ago.

Ditto. Done it with a 1978 Chevy Nova, a 1974 Dodge Challenger, a 1968 Mustang, a 1970 Chevy station wagon, a 1980 Suzuki cruiser bike...and more crap than I care to remember.

Oh, and a 1978 El Camino.

I've even done it on a bicycle

I've also observed someone who didn't know what they were doing trying this method...the guy in the vehicle being towed let it run over the rope while they were stopped on a downhill, and almost ripped out the wheel when the guy in front started moving again...

Point is, don't do it if you're incompetent.

I've had to tow my old truck 3 times using this method, always use the rear vehicles for the bulk of the braking. Im just worried about this because he mentioned brakes need to be bled, so not sure if I can rely on them working.

 

[MichaelD]

Ooooh. No brakes means towing via a rope/strap = BAD IDEA.

You're going to need a dolly or a flatbed, buddy.

You mentioned $100 being your budget, else you can't get the truck. Is someone GIVING this thing to you? However bad it is, as long as it's got a motor and tranny in it, it's definitely worth $100+ dollars. Borrow it, take an advance, whatever.

If your handy with tools (sounds like you are), it's worth the investment. If not for your use, for resell purposes once it's streetworthy again.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Ooooh. No brakes means towing via a rope/strap = BAD IDEA.

You're going to need a dolly or a flatbed, buddy.

You mentioned $100 being your budget, else you can't get the truck. Is someone GIVING this thing to you? However bad it is, as long as it's got a motor and tranny in it, it's definitely worth $100+ dollars. Borrow it, take an advance, whatever.

If your handy with tools (sounds like you are), it's worth the investment. If not for your use, for resell purposes once it's streetworthy again.

Vehicles is listed at 350, going to offer 250. I'd like to keep costs low. 140k miles on a the sturdy 300 L6 w/ 4 speed mannie. Reason I want it is for my new dirtbiking hobby (not having to rely on a friend to drive always) and my little brother will be driving soon, so I can sell it to him/let him use it if he ever needs it. Debating this though, because this is a lot of pain to go through.

 

[ElMonoDelMar]

Towing with a rope is illegal in a lot of places. You might want to check on that.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: ElMonoDelMar
Towing with a rope is illegal in a lot of places. You might want to check on that.

No interstate highways. Thats at least the law in my county.

 

[thescreensavers]

umm, get in the car and drive its that easy

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: thescreensavers
umm, get in the car and drive its that easy

I wish

 

[melchoir]

100 dollar budget? Sign up for a Premium AAA membership with 100 mile towes, have it towed right to your house. Use the remaining $15-20 for fixing the beast.