flat towing - whos done it? pros and cons

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shimsham1

shimsham1

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I am contemplating flat towing my duster behind my RV for car shows, etc. my duster is not a show car or #'s matching. its a clean modified driver. aside from fabricating a bracket, mounting the tow bar ( I have one already ) and pulling the drive shaft - what's the good & bad of going this direction? anyone ever do it?
 
used to flat yow my 64 valiant to the track. towed fine. never any problem.

i know a bit more now and you may want to pull the driveshaft while doing so if its an automatic. not sure with the car. not running if the automatic will get properly lubricated.
 
NOPE. Not with "today's drivers." Regardless of how "flat" you make that bar, "on that day" when you need to STOP to avoid some malfeasance, the angle will change and that Duster might just climb right on over. It will not be pretty.
 
We did it. I don't think I would again. We used some towing hubs made from AMC front hubs, so we didn't have to pull the driveshaft loose and tie it up all the time.
The primary problem, at least with our setup, was the front wheels would occasionally flop the wrong direction when turning a corner. Could be a bad thing if you didn't notice, cause you are towing with a motorhome.
 
Just flat towed a 68 Barracuda 1,340 from SD to SC. Worked fine, not much fun backing though...
 
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Buy a car trailer, I flat towed years ago my Challenger to the track, it is a pain.
Plus you cannot tow on gravel, the tires on the car being towed will not follow the tow vehicle.

I assume you car is worth more than the cost of a trailer, play it safe.
 
I agree with buying a trailer. The longer you own it, the more often you use it, it will pay for itself. Just like a pickup, once you have one, you'll wonder how you did without. (It does help if you have room to park it, though it can still be used as a parking space. If used as a parking space, make sure it can't be stolen, along with the car on it, lol)
The only problem is the recent "inflation" in prices.
 
Car dolley would be a much better choice. Use to tow VW's all the time, went well until I hit some double railways tracks and left some thirty foot long skid marks.
 
33IMP said:
We did it. I don't think I would again. We used some towing hubs made from AMC front hubs, so we didn't have to pull the driveshaft loose and tie it up all the time.
The primary problem, at least with our setup, was the front wheels would occasionally flop the wrong direction when turning a corner. Could be a bad thing if you didn't notice, cause you are towing with a motorhome.
Click to expand...

2 dollar fix: bungee cord from the wheel to the passenger seat track.
 
33IMP said:
I agree with buying a trailer. The longer you own it, the more often you use it, it will pay for itself. Just like a pickup, once you have one, you'll wonder how you did without. (It does help if you have room to park it, though it can still be used as a parking space. If used as a parking space, make sure it can't be stolen, along with the car on it, lol)
The only problem is the recent "inflation" in prices.
Click to expand...

So true, I think I use my car trailer for hauling everything but a car most of the time. Lumber, culverts, tractors, steel beams, etc, anything that will fit.
 
I prefer to air up the tires on the car that I'm towing. No "flat towing" for me!!!!
 
Years ago my buddy and I towed my old '69 340 Swinger behind his '64 El Camino to go racing at OCIR.
I had some tow tabs made that exited under the front bumper and he had a custom tow bar made at his work.
We never experienced any problems.

Today, I'd rent a car trailer.
 
ocdart said:
Years ago my buddy and I towed my old '69 340 Swinger behind his '64 El Camino to go racing at OCIR.
I had some tow tabs made that exited under the front bumper and he had a custom tow bar made at his work.
We never experienced any problems.

Today, I'd rent a car trailer.
Click to expand...
Like this? We used this to flat tow a 440 Duster to riverside, in the eighties.

20190416_143228.jpg
 
Yep you can rent a pretty nice little car trailer for about 30 bucks a day why mess with anything else.
 
Yep you can rent a pretty nice little car trailer for about 30 bucks a day why mess with anything else.
 
Why take a chance on the steering not cooperating? At least a tow dolly. For longer distance, maybe some tow hubs for the rear?
 
I towed a 67 dart gt from Flin Flon,Manitoba to Unity, Saskatchewan with my 70 Swinger 340. With a tow rope and my brother. We switched of driving/steering jobs. About 600 and some odd miles. Kim
 
Be sure you can see the car from where you are sitting. If you lose a tire and can't see it, the tire will disintegrate and flying rubber will beat the hell out of the car and everyone behind you.
 
I regularly use a dolly, but also have and have used a tow bar.

Bay far, the #1 negative (and I'm surprised it's not been mentioned)-

You can NOT back up.

Maybe a few feet but that's it.
 
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sireland67 said:
So true, my buddies truck is still sitting on my trailer from memorial day when we took it racing.
Click to expand...

i should have kept my mouth shut
not 20 minutes ago i got the call "hey, you still got that black trailer? i need to move a golf cart"
 
I flat-towed a Caravan 800 miles round trip every year behind my motorhome. They sell A kit that pumps transmission fluid through your transmission while towing. I still have it and the pump system in my attic. I now own a car dolly.
 
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