Towing a parted out car

[HiPoSped]

I'm hopefully going to be picking up a new 1g awd shell to build with all my go-fast parts from my rusty michigan car. I've just never towed a car with no front end before. Would I be best off with a U-haul car hauler? 2 straight ramps from front to back? Or just an open 6x12? The entire front drivetrain and suspension has been removed so how do I get it onto the trailer? The rear still rolls so that's not a problem. Any help/advice?

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This is what I have to work with.

 

[Defiant]

How far? You may be best-off with hiring a tow truck. Otherwise, put the nose on a dolly and strap it down firmly. Make sure you get a trip permit from the DMV.

 

[Talonracn50]

Yeah, South Carolina probably doesnt have a "trip permit" -- it is South Carolina

I would just get a tow truck, depending on how far you need to go.

 

[luvmygst]

I had to tow a 1g just like that. I used a tractor to pick the front end up and put it on a flat trailer rear end first, put blocks under the frame and strapped it down GOOD. This method assumes you have a way to lift the front thought, other than that hire a tow truck, make sure that the rear wheels are off of the ground or the drive shaft is unhooked so it doesn't flop around when the wheels turn.

 

[HiPoSped]

I'd really like to stay away from a tow truck if possible. The trip is over 200 miles. If it's at all possible I'd like to take it on a 2 wheeled dollie, I've just never seen it done before so didn't know if it was possible. The rearend is out of the car too, so the driveshaft won't spin anyways. Is it possible to tow on a dollie? How would I strap the front end down?

 

[blak92awd]

the dollie does not sound that safe in my opinion. one very nice bump and who knows what might happen if its not tide down well enough. i am actually going through the same thing. what i did is found some old shocks and welded them open and put some old rims and tires on there to easily roll it. From the looks of the picture, you only need the spindles and old shocks, but i might be wrong. You dont want a "Final Destination" scene to happen on the highway!!

 

[architechnik]

It's funny that you mention final destination - we were just talking about it over dinner.

HiPoSped, you said this was an awd shell, but the rear axles are removed? I wouldn't trust the stability of those rear wheels carrying that weight for 200 miles.

It's not necessarily that it can't handle 200 miles of driving, but on a tow dolly that back end experiences forces never really seen from standard driving... what about finding someone with a flatbed truck?

 

[Talonracn50]

Here's and idea:

Rent an open uhaul trailer, the full car one. These trailers are a touch too long for our cars, but this will be good for you.

Use an engine hoist to lift up the front of the car (I have lifted one by the engine brackets before). Have a come along handy and use that to pull the car backwards up the ramps and onto the trailer. Have one person driving the engine hoist and the other working the come along -- or run back and forth doing it all yourself!

Once the car is far enough forward that the trailer has some tongue weight, lower down the engine hoist and unhook it. Since the car is on there backwards, make sure that you get tongue weight on the trailer -- otherwise it will start whipping back and forth at highway speeds.

Voila, car is on the trailer and is much easier to properly secure than on a dolly! Also, rent it in your home town and tow the trailer to the car and then return the trailer to your hometown -- In town move at that point, no mileage charges!

If you dont have an engine hoist, they can also be rented pretty cheaply!

Hope this helps - I know its a little gangsta, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[HiPoSped]

Well I priced out renting a full trailer and it's only $10 more than a dollie so I guess that's what I'll do. I do have an engine hoist but it doesn't fold, so I'm not planning on taking it with me. I'll have to see if the guy I'm buying the car from has one. I'm not looking forward to loading/unloading it though but if it's the only way.... that's how it's gonna happen. Thanks for the help anyways.