YACT: What do I need to make my car ready to tow?

[Viper GTS]

OK car people...

It's looking like I'm moving from Oregon to Pennsylvania next week, I need to make my car tow ready (I plan on renting a 4'x8' U-Haul trailer). I don't have a hitch, the trailer I'm renting only requires a Class 1 (whatever that means).

I'll be towing with a 1986 Accord.

What do I need?

Viper GTS

 

Another car to tow with, that's what you need.



Class 1 trailer hitch

Trailer wiring kit

As for your door mounted mirrors, I have no clue.


If your Honda is an automatic, bring a bible along with you.

You better make damn sure that the Honda is in top shape, towing a trailer across the country is no little feat for a 18 year old vehicle.

The back semi frame rails that support the trunk better be rust free, that is what the hitch is going to be bolted to.

I would strongly suggest a tune up, cooling system check and/or flush and a thorough brake system check.

 

[Ornery]

First thing that came to my mind...

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Ornery
First thing that came to my mind...

Yeah yeah, shaddup. This will be a TINY trailer, if I do it at all.

It's either that or I sell/re-purchase everything when I get there.

If it's that bad an idea I guess I can abandon it, it's not critical. U-Haul's smallest truck would be ~$2K not to mention fuel costs (not an option).

U-Haul didn't seem to think it would be a problem.

Viper GTS

 

Ship the stuff by ground, then you will not have to worry so much

 

[woowoo]

Rent a truck and tow the honda.....

 

[Mookow]

Where in Penn are you moving to?

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Mookow
Where in Penn are you moving to?

Washington, about an hour outside of Pittsburgh.

Viper GTS

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Mookow
Where in Penn are you moving to?

Washington, about an hour outside of Pittsburgh.

Viper GTS

An hour in which direction?

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Roger
Ship the stuff by ground, then you will not have to worry so much

It would cost more to ship than the stuff is worth (bulky, but not particularly heavy).

Viper GTS

 

[TubStain]

I'm in a similar dilemma, moving from michigan to indiana (5 hours). I'm wondering which of the options to consider:

1) Rent a Uhaul with a hitch and tow my car at the back (I can rent the car hitch right?)

2) Rent a truck (as mentioned above) and town my car.. I'm doubting if I'll be able to fit all my stuff in the truck though

3) Drive my car there, rent a truck/Uhaul from indiana and go to michigan and back. Might cost me a bit in miles though.

What do you guys advise? (my car is a 2002 Mazda protege)

 

I'm in a similar dilemma, moving from michigan to indiana (5 hours). I'm wondering which of the options to consider:

1) Rent a Uhaul with a hitch and tow my car at the back (I can rent the car hitch right?)

2) Rent a truck (as mentioned above) and town my car.. I'm doubting if I'll be able to fit all my stuff in the truck though

3) Drive my car there, rent a truck/Uhaul from indiana and go to michigan and back. Might cost me a bit in miles though.

What do you guys advise? (my car is a 2002 Mazda protege)

First off, it's proper name is a car dolly, the front wheels are driven up onto a small ramp which is attached to the axle, the axle is connected to the hitch assembly or you can tent a tow bar which connects to the front of the vehicle and then to a hitch ball, this is not recommended because you must limit your speed and distance because the driven wheels are turning.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Mookow

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Mookow
Where in Penn are you moving to?

Washington, about an hour outside of Pittsburgh.

Viper GTS

An hour in which direction?

South/Southwest.

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&un=m&2tabval=address&cl=EN&ct=NA&1tabval=address&1y=US&1a=&1c=&1s=&1z=15301&1ah=&2y=US&2a=&2c=Pittsburgh&2s=PA&2z=&2ah=&idx=0&id=40c463ad-0003a-022d3-400c3305&aid=40c463ad-0003b-022d3-400c3305

Viper GTS

 

Hey Viper, you will close enough for me to visit now.

 

[Ornery]

The 1988 Accord is rated with a towing capacity of 1000 lb and a 100 lb hitch load, + 4x8' Trailer is 780lbs, = Sell your stuff and buy new in PA.

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
South/Southwest.

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&un=m&2tabval=address&cl=EN&ct=NA&1tabval=address&1y=US&1a=&1c=&1s=&1z=15301&1ah=&2y=US&2a=&2c=Pittsburgh&2s=PA&2z=&2ah=&idx=0&id=40c463ad-0003a-022d3-400c3305&aid=40c463ad-0003b-022d3-400c3305

Viper GTS

Eh, you'll now be somewhat close to me (Cleveland, OH).

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Ornery
The 1988 Accord is rated with a towing capacity of 1000 lb and a 100 lb hitch load, + 4x8' Trailer is 780lbs, = Sell your stuff and buy new in PA.

Well sh!t.

Does that apply even if it's a manual? That page seems to be primarily directed at autos.

Viper GTS

 

[Bulk Beef]

Rent a truck and tow the honda.....

I think this is your best bet.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: sward666

Rent a truck and tow the honda.....

I think this is your best bet.

Not gonna happen. I would be better off leaving the stuff by the side of the road (ala Oregon Trail) & re-purchasing it all.

What I CAN do, however, is box up/ship as much stuff as possible & try to get everything I need in my car. I can ship all my audio gear (going to have to leave my monster sub though), sell the TV, store my bed at my parents' house, etc. I can ship clothing & general crap too I guess...

Viper GTS

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Roger: isn't an '02 Protege a FWD car, which would make the driven wheels NOT turn?


ViperGTS: when going over the mountains (the first half of your trip) stop OFTEN at the top of hills to let things cool down. Your transmission and engine are really going to be worked getting up those hills, and you'll need them to keep your speed under control as your brakes won't last long if you ride them.

 

[woowoo]

Who is going to drive the viper?
Can you fit some things into it?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Viper: another option is to get a professional moving company to ship all your bulky stuff from one house to the other, and just keep along some stuff that you need (ie: clothes) and use your car for that. I'm sure the cost for that small of a load wouldn't be much

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Even yet another option:
Buy something like this: http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=164045236&dealer_id=&car_year=1984&make=CHEV&distance=any&max_price=3000&model=HDP&advcd_on=n&end_year=2005&min_price=&first_record=276&address=95667&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1984&=&color=&cardist=2233
Drive it while towing your car.
Sell it when you get to your destination.

 

[TubStain]

Originally posted by: Roger

I'm in a similar dilemma, moving from michigan to indiana (5 hours). I'm wondering which of the options to consider:

1) Rent a Uhaul with a hitch and tow my car at the back (I can rent the car hitch right?)

2) Rent a truck (as mentioned above) and town my car.. I'm doubting if I'll be able to fit all my stuff in the truck though

3) Drive my car there, rent a truck/Uhaul from indiana and go to michigan and back. Might cost me a bit in miles though.

What do you guys advise? (my car is a 2002 Mazda protege)

First off, it's proper name is a car dolly, the front wheels are driven up onto a small ramp which is attached to the axle, the axle is connected to the hitch assembly or you can tent a tow bar which connects to the front of the vehicle and then to a hitch ball, this is not recommended because you must limit your speed and distance because the driven wheels are turning.

Thanks Roger.

:beer:

 

Roger: isn't an '02 Protege a FWD car, which would make the driven wheels NOT turn?

What part of my sentence do you not understand ?

First off, it's proper name is a car dolly, the front wheels are driven up onto a small ramp which is attached to the axle, the axle is connected to the hitch assembly or you can tent a tow bar which connects to the front of the vehicle and then to a hitch ball, this is not recommended because you must limit your speed and distance because the driven wheels are turning.

Car dolly

Tow bar