Long distance car towing...What's the best way?

surreal · October 14th, 2002, 03:28 PM

My car is front wheel drive.
I'm wondering is it worth the 200 bucks to put all 4 wheels on a trailer? I'm thinking it's better for the tires, and mileage of the car. Plus safer for my car. What do you guys think?

Feenix · October 14th, 2002, 03:31 PM

In all honesty I recommend calling up your local UHAUL company and ask them what they suggest. Sure they want your business but you'll probably get a straight answer from them.

Heavy_Equipment · October 14th, 2002, 03:32 PM

A two wheel car dolly type will work...front wheels up. No mileage on the odometer...just on the rear tires, but since the car won't be braking etc, wear will be almost a non-issue.

Cheaper to rent the dolly than the trailer.

jman01pa · October 14th, 2002, 03:34 PM

Please get a full size tow trailer and not just a two wheel dolly. The trailers are much safer for your vehicle and yourself. The dolly is harder to handle too. You are traveling a great distance and need as few worries as possible....

surreal · October 14th, 2002, 04:25 PM

Yep and Yep! you 2 hit the nail on the head,
Heavy_Equipment and jman01pa have just stated the argument in my head!

Feenix, uhaul says either will do.

MrMikeL · October 14th, 2002, 04:41 PM

How about a drive-away service, where someone actually drives the car for free? No towing expense, but you still have wear-and-tear on the auto.

surreal · October 14th, 2002, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrMikeL
How about a drive-away service, where someone actually drives the car for free? No towing expense, but you still have wear-and-tear on the auto.

NO WAY!!!

I'm a FREAK about my car!

I love it more than most men you will ever talk to that have love affairs with their cars!

The only reason to tow is wear and tear... oh and incase there was an early blizzard.

thekingofpain · October 14th, 2002, 04:58 PM

Just had a friend with a new Nissan pickup tow a '72 Nova all the way to Acapulco Mexico with a "dolly" (2500 miles or so) he said it was no problem at all...

Feenix · October 14th, 2002, 04:59 PM

Quote:

I love it more than most men you will ever talk to that have love affairs with their cars!

If you pull it the tires will bet some wear and tear just like Heavy_Equipment said. Although now I have no idea what you should do because several people have told me that pulling a car just with the two wheels locked in can be kind of hard to control.

Better do your research!

jman01pa · October 14th, 2002, 05:33 PM

Imagine driving a 26' Uhaul truck with a full size trailor behind it. All 4 wheels of your beautiful car securely attached atop the trailer. Heavy cloth straps secure on all 4 wheels and a chain attached to an axle for extra security while gravity adds extra protection keeping it on top the trailer. This trailer is fully visble in your driver and passenger side mirrors and easy to control because you simply have the trailer to maneuver.

Now imagine driving a 26' Uhaul with a tiny tow dolly holding the front wheels of your beautiful car barely inches above the ground while cloth straps alone are responsible for holding it all together and a quick glance of your side mirrors may or may not reveal your beautiful car and or trailer unless you are turning a corner. The dolly will be much harder to control and easily jack knifed because it has two pivot points (hitch and below the fron wheels of car).

I believe the dollys are rated at a lower driving speed than the trailors too.

I also believe the trailer has breaks where the dolly is dependant on the trucks breaks.

chances are either would be fine but are you willing to take a chance or would you want to ride with confidence.

I have towed both way and prefer the trailor over the dolly in a heartbeat...