Towing without a trailer

['Roach]

So, with the impending doom at hand, what would be the better way to tow a vehicle such as the ol' Roach when a trailer is not an option: Tow dolly or Tow bar?

I like the tow bar idea, as it is the easiest to retrofit. Anyone know the legalities of towing something this way? Does the towed vehicle itself need to be registered and insured? Can you get bogey wheels to go under the front tires in this case (like a tow truck has?)

Tow dolly would be good too, as I could store it under the Roach when not being used. But all of these have small tire straps, would I even be able to make them work?

I have experience towing a vehicle on a dolly (once ). Experiences with either option would be appreciated.

[mostheman]

Buy a trailer store it on my ranch

[Enos]

Drive everywhere via the ditch/roadside...it works for the ATVs

['Roach]

Apr 29, 2009 13:15:56 GMT -4 mostheman said:

Buy a trailer store it on my ranch

True, but then I need to travel to Truro, get the trailer, travel back, get the Roach, then head out ;D

The other option is to buy a damn house of my own, but I don't think I could afford a trailer after I do that, lol.

[kilo69]

Well the Dolly could be modded to handle bigger tires pretty easily and some come with brakes to help slow things down which is a real big safety factor.

Tow bars are cheap, easy to store but I would say aren't as safe and usually involve drilling for mounts (Not really an issue with your rig but if you wanted to help a friend tow a car or something)

After using both a tow bar and a dolly I'd go dolly! Especially if it's braked.

Plus you only need two working wheels with a dolly, were flat tow needs 4... so if you bent your steering or something you'd need that sorted out before you could tow safely or the thing wouldn't follow behind you correctly.

Long term I'd choose dolly over tow bar. Especially if you plan on doing any long road trips.

[©Big6™]

Ray has flat towed his rig all over the province....with a much smaller truck than you have! Might want to go talk to him.

[tothewall]

I have flat towed, dolly towed and trailered.
1 Trailer... Best BY FAR
2 Dolly... Only needs two good wheels.
3 Flat tow... As last resort only. Break it and you are fawkered

[DamnJeep]

Apr 29, 2009 14:43:44 GMT -4 @tothewall said:

I have flat towed, dolly towed and trailered.

3 Flat tow... As last resort only. Break it and you are fawkered

That's the EXACT reason I built a trailer. If you break anything big/important on your rig you ain't getting it home without a trailer.

[mostheman]

I'm winning... I call storage...

[Hawkes]

I've towed mine on the trailer in a snowstorm, I can't imagine flat towing in snow. The dolly might be okay. Something to consider if you use it in the winter. At least with a dolly you could have brakes and not watch the Toy and Dodge do pirouettes.

You'll blow my doors with a dolly, less weight and way more aerodynamic. Guess we'll have to race downhill.

['Roach]

Thanks for the info all. I'm going to investigate some options this week. Still leaning towards dolly, but we shall see

Apr 29, 2009 18:27:39 GMT -4 mostheman said:

I'm winning... I call storage...

Lol, its not Sunday yet dude. Stop giving advice ;D

[Mickey]

I have towed a Cherokee striped down to bare nothing for racing with a YJ. I also towed a YJ with my Grand Cherokee.

Both of them were by using a tow bar attached to the front bumper/frame. It is ok for a very short distance a slow speed. You have to ensure that you slow down to almost a stop before you start a turn, if not it will try to jack knife, and it will if you have snow or sand on the road. And do not think of backing up, except in straight line for a short distance only.

When using a tow bar, while it is attached to the primary vehicle it is under the primary vehicle insurance as long you do not exceed the rated capacity. If so the insurance will have a loop hole for them not to pay. The secondary vehicle has to be license with a standard plate or an off road plate. It does not have to be MVI but it must be proven sound, and you must have lights in the back with a sign "under tow".

As soon the secondary vehicle is disconnected from the primary one there is no insurance coverage. IE: Broken tow bar on highway and kill someone you are SOL.

That been said I am still towing, using tow bar, but I carry many pair of underwear with me. It is very scary when it start to push you around a curve.

I also did it with a dolly which is much better for control and again same insurance issues.

Trailer is the way to go but most likely you will exceed the legal towing weight of you r vehicle (insurance loop hole).

Everything I said, I say it with my own experience.

I have a lot more info, so if you want give me a ring.

[Hawkes]

You can get extensions for taller tires on a dolly, but even then might not fit your tires. If it was me I'd use straps, extensions and add chains around the axles.

[Dewie]

Apr 29, 2009 14:43:44 GMT -4 @tothewall said:

I have flat towed, dolly towed and trailered.
1 Trailer... Best BY FAR
2 Dolly... Only needs two good wheels.
3 Flat tow... As last resort only. Break it and you are fawkered

Well said.

I've towed a bit of everything as well. I can 2nd the feeling of being pushed around when towing with a tow bar - and backing-up with both tow bar and tow dolly are impossible.

The straps I have allowed me to haul a XJ with stock rims/tires on the dolly I have, you would definitely need something larger if hauling a rig with massive tires (or have a set of stock tires to swap on to tow with)

In all my adventures I have never had anyone say anything to me about my towing - I get looked at my RCMP - a couple of times they've even shaken their heads ( ) however never stopped.

I've also been told you are supposed to have an amber rotating/flashing light when you have a vehicle under tow. I don't even own one...

[disturbed]

flat tow or dolly with welded rearend HOLY FAWK! i cant see hauling a car trailer and an xj with an xj. Im fawked have to junk it i guess.