tow bar how to on a 1g gsx

[boostdog]

ok guys here is my delima...i have a 91 gsx that has been stripped for track use only. to avoid the cost of a trailer and since i have room to store a trailer this is an option that i am looking at. i have removed the bumper support to reduce weight front and back. any ideas on how to install the to bar so i can get it to the track safely and removeable once at the track? i can take the bumper off and on that's no big deal. any help or suggestions would be appreciated. thanks!

 

[~laser_craver~]

You might try welding some scrap steel together and have it bolt where the old bumper support mounted. Just a thought.

 

[crxp-o-s4now]

Wait..Isn't towing ANY AWD car strictly not allowable?

 

[allwheelTSI]

Yes, you can't tow an AWD car, It's gotta go on a trailer or flatbed.

 

[crxp-o-s4now]

Sorry, I wasn't even understanding what I was writing. What i meant was, your not supposed to "drag a car" from a tow hook as opposed to putting it on a flatbed.

 

[mavisky]

The car needs to be on a flatbed.

 

[boostdog]

guys i am using a tow bar not a dolly..all 4 wheels will be on the ground. i guess i'll just buy a kit and see what else i need to put it together....or just go and buy a bumper support put it all together and make it so i can remove it at the track...hmmmm that might work.

 

[crxp-o-s4now]

What do you mean by "all four wheels will be on the ground?" You do know that you cannot tow it with all four wheels on the ground right?

 

[mavisky]

We realize that you're using a tow dolly, you're just not realizing that you're not supposed to tow it like that for long distances.

 

[crxp-o-s4now]

We realize that you're using a tow dolly, you're just not realizing that you're not supposed to tow it like that for long distances.

no dolly

edit-I don't get why I'm not a proven member.

 

[allwheelTSI]

no dolly

edit-I don't get why I'm not a proven member.

Dose'nt matter. You do not tow AWD cars, period. If you're gonna ask questions atleast take the advice you're given.

 

[Pro3racer]

Geeze guys, he is being very nice, and you guys keep hassling him and not answering his damn question. First of all, listen to what he is saying, he is NOT USING A DOLLY. He will be putting the car in neutral and using some kind of bar/chain/strap device, drag the car along with all 4 wheels rolling. Everybody and their mother knows not to tow a AWD car on only two wheels(or at least they should know), but instead of saying that he just shouldn't drag the car, and put it on a flatbed is not answering a question. Give him a reason not to drag the car on all 4 wheels, with the wheels rolling. I am also wondering this question if i have car trouble, and can not get ahold of my flatbed friend, if i can just use a tow strap and tow away.

 

[mavisky]

Towing the vehicle at speed in neutral will make the front and rear diffs spin, The front diff may not get enough fluid onto it during this time as the other gears won't be helping to move it around as well and could cause excess heat to build in the diff and take out the transmission. For further reasoning look in the factory manual that comes with every new car. There are very few cars that you are allowed to tow at highway speeds behind a vehicle. If it's really that big of a deal, rent a 4 wheel trailer from U-haul, my mom's boyfriend used one to take his 91 Vette to Texas from Indiana.

 

[allwheelTSI]

Towing the vehicle at speed in neutral will make the front and rear diffs spin, The front diff may not get enough fluid onto it during this time as the other gears won't be helping to move it around as well and could cause excess heat to build in the diff and take out the transmission. For further reasoning look in the factory manual that comes with every new car. There are very few cars that you are allowed to tow at highway speeds behind a vehicle. If it's really that big of a deal, rent a 4 wheel trailer from U-haul, my mom's boyfriend used one to take his 91 Vette to Texas from Indiana.

Thank you.

 

[crxp-o-s4now]

Dose'nt matter. You do not tow AWD cars, period. If you're gonna ask questions atleast take the advice you're given.

Apparently your not getting what I'm saying. I wasn't asking a question. I was however JUST WONDERING why someone that has 13 posts (which I have read) and joined 1 year ago has more priveleges(sp) than someone who has been here for less time and shared more helpful knowledge. I know I don't know EVERYTHING about these cars...I do however know that some car manuals state NOT to tow them whether the car is in neautral or not. If you have read my posts before, it would have showed that that I said, "You do know that you cannot tow and awd car with wheels on the ground right?" Learn to read what I said before assuming i don't know what I'm talking about. Thanks

p.s What is this nonsense about asking questions? Did I ask a question? No.

Sorry if it seemed like I "flipped out" on you, but it seemed to me like you were giving a smart-ass remark when all I was trying to do was help.

 

[dthquazi1]

at least he knows it will break done a bunch and is on the defensive.

 

[allwheelTSI]

Apparently your not getting what I'm saying. I wasn't asking a question. I was however JUST WONDERING why someone that has 13 posts (which I have read) and joined 1 year ago has more priveleges(sp) than someone who has been here for less time and shared more helpful knowledge. I know I don't know EVERYTHING about these cars...I do however know that some car manuals state NOT to tow them whether the car is in neautral or not. If you have read my posts before, it would have showed that that I said, "You do know that you cannot tow and awd car with wheels on the ground right?" Learn to read what I said before assuming i don't know what I'm talking about. Thanks

p.s What is this nonsense about asking questions? Did I ask a question? No.

Sorry if it seemed like I "flipped out" on you, but it seemed to me like you were giving a smart-ass remark when all I was trying to do was help.

No problem. Although, this from your first post in the thread clearly looks like a question to me "any ideas on how to install the to bar so i can get it to the track safely and removeable once at the track?"

I just don't understand why you would ask if you already knew the cars are not supposed to be towed. And I appologize if it seemed like I was trying to be a smart ass, that was not my intention. Its just that I've seen alot of people on here that want advice get it then argue with what they get. And I was'nt replying about your member status either. Good luck.

 

[crxp-o-s4now]

No problem. Although, this from your first post in the thread clearly looks like a question to me "any ideas on how to install the to bar so i can get it to the track safely and removeable once at the track?"

Yea, no harm done. I think your talking to the wrong person, that is all. I didn't ask the question. That was a different member mang.

edit-To the original starter of this thread, sorry for the wasted space. Pretty much, you don't want to tow the car whether it be in neutral or not. Fluid not getting to the gears in your rear diff. is one of the reasons. Flatbed or trailor is pretty much your only SAFE bet for transportation. Hope this has helped.

 

[Morphius]

ok guys here is my delima...i have a 91 gsx that has been stripped for track use only. to avoid the cost of a trailer and since i have room to store a trailer this is an option that i am looking at. i have removed the bumper support to reduce weight front and back. any ideas on how to install the to bar so i can get it to the track safely and removeable once at the track? i can take the bumper off and on that's no big deal. any help or suggestions would be appreciated. thanks!

I've towed more DSMs than anyone on this site and can give you some insight. Here are some points:

1. Ideally, if you can get all four wheels off the ground and move it on a flat bed, that is best.
2. If you have a dolly available, load it as you would any other vehicle. Make sure to DISCONNECT THE DRIVESHAFT. This includes both Manual and Auto AWD cars. FWD you need not worry about the driveshaft. << (given)
3. If you don't have any of the above, you can adapt a tow bar to your car very easily. (I'll try to get some pics of how mine attaches. Or would attach. The cars I all have set up with this are out of state now, but I'll see what I can do.)
4. If you use a tow bar, be sure to put the car in neutral. DO NOT TRY TO TOW AN AUTO WITH A TOW BAR. THE automatic is designed to be cooled by the engine when running. Now, if your're thinking, "I'll just let it idle while I tow it." Not a good idea either. The car will be so close to the tow vehicle that there won't be much in the way of air flow for the radiator, and in turn the trans. So, if you have to tow an auto car, use a dolly or use a flat bed.


Walmart sells a tow bar for $100. You'll also need 3ft of 1/4 x 2 inch angle iron, two 5/8 or 3/4 bolts and nuts. You'll also need some flat steel stock, say 1/4 x 3 or 4 and 6 to 8 inches long. Like I mentioned above, I'll try to get some pics.

Also note, the advisory made in the manual is generally what should be considered, however, there are exceptions that I feel they left out. Rather than say you can tow this one like this but not this, and this one like this and this, but not this, they just simply decided that it'd be best to advise no towing for all, since it's worst case. It comes down to common sense.

 

[D_Eclipse9916]

Alright for the tow bar, look at honda-tech and I beleive they have a vfaq, but then again they are all really straight-forward.

Stop bashing the poor guy, HE KNOWS not to by now!!

A tow hook is for when you go off the track and crash, or get stuck, or car breaks down. That way he can tow it for a short distance and then get it on a flat-bed. The original poster is not making sense however, saying that he should have a tow hook that he can remove at the track???? A tow hook is MOST useful at the track....

Now, please DO NOT post a reply that says do not tow, if you have a suggestion on WHERE to mount the tow bar then please contribute as we appreciate.

 

[boostdog]

Yea, no harm done. I think your talking to the wrong person, that is all. I didn't ask the question. That was a different member mang.

edit-To the original starter of this thread, sorry for the wasted space. Pretty much, you don't want to tow the car whether it be in neutral or not. Fluid not getting to the gears in your rear diff. is one of the reasons. Flatbed or trailor is pretty much your only SAFE bet for transportation. Hope this has helped.

thank you! that's all i needed to know....a trailer is on the plan for the next purchase. (also i would have looked at my manual, but it's a 91 and is long gone!) thank you all for your input!

 

[boostdog]

Alright for the tow bar, look at honda-tech and I beleive they have a vfaq, but then again they are all really straight-forward.

Stop bashing the poor guy, HE KNOWS not to by now!!

A tow hook is for when you go off the track and crash, or get stuck, or car breaks down. That way he can tow it for a short distance and then get it on a flat-bed. The original poster is not making sense however, saying that he should have a tow hook that he can remove at the track???? A tow hook is MOST useful at the track....

Now, please DO NOT post a reply that says do not tow, if you have a suggestion on WHERE to mount the tow bar then please contribute as we appreciate.

i never mentioned anything about a tow hook. i know what it is used for.

 

[PaulN]

Fluid not getting to the gears in your rear diff. is one of the reasons. Flatbed or trailor is pretty much your only SAFE bet for transportation. Hope this has helped.

'
Hmmm...how is this different than driving it? I'm not being a smart a$$ but I don't see how towing would be any different than driving when it comes to getting fluid in the differential. The act of moving would seem to me to spin the gears slinging the fluid in the case just the same as driving it would, especially in a MANUAL transmission vehicle. Elighten me.


There are many many folks who tow their vehicles behind their RV's cross country, and I have seen many many AWD drive vehicles being towed on the highway with a tow bar. How do they do it?

 

[PaulN]

I have never done this so I am not sure of the specifics, but I did find some stuff one a motorhome website that may give some insight on flat towing:

http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/output.cfm?ID=760501

Hope that helps.

 

[boostdog]

Is there anyone that take a look at their 1g awd manual and see what it says about towing?