Tow Bar Towing

[hoser]

Hi guys ok I am thinking about towing a 69/70 chevy 2WD truck home it dont have a engine or trans (less weight) so I was thinking of getting this tow bar http://www.blueox.us/Towbars/towbars.htm down at the bottom right the " Ambassador Tow Bar" I looked for a base plate but it looks liek they dont make anything that old so I will have to make my own, what I need to know is the 69/70 2WD frame going to be the same as my 72 GMC 2/4 ton 4x4 so I could use my 72 frame as a templet for making the base plate?

Thanks in advance.

[Chrome8]

I saved these pics that another member posted a little while ago. If you save to your hard drive and then zoom in you should be able to read em. I hope it helps.

[hoser]

Thanks for the pics but when I try to zoom in they are too fuzzy to read someone have a high res version of them?

I was thinking of just removing the front bumper and useing the frame mounting bolt holes to hook it to the frame.

[Palf70Step]

Ypu can attach to the lower two bolt holes of the front bumper. You may dimple them a bit around the bolt holes, but without an engine yours is a lot light than what mine was. I have a cheapy $100 towbar and have pulled two already with it. Works like a champ.

The first two pictures were posted by Longhorn Man showing me how he did his trucks with the same cheapey towbar I have. Last one is my prize coming home the Sunday before Thanksgiving.. Please excuse the Dodge.

[Palf70Step]

You never know how some react to that. I like the Dodge alot as a daily driver. Love my old Chebies though. But I love anything with wheels that someone cares enough to take care of.

[hoser]

Thanks guys, so your using just the lower 2 bolts on the bumper and thats it? here I was going to make plates that bolted into at least 2 holes on each side of the frame then extend them out to hook to.

[hoser]

Forgot, where did you get your 100.00 chepo tow bar?

I am looking at this one for 130 plus shipping
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...ambassador.htm

[Palf70Step]

It was a bit more when you throw in the chain package and shipping, but it works super great an stores away very nicely. It had everything I needed to hook up to the 69.

http://www.reese-hitches.com/towbar.html

[krue]

He was excusing the dodge, cuz he new I would pick on him.

[smbrouss70]

I towed my old parts truck with no engine or tranny, whenever you make a turn there is not enough weight on the front wheels for them to straighten out on their own. Of course the steering column was out so I had to pull over and kick the tires straight after every turn. This was only on 90º turns though, the gradual turns did allright.

[Longhorn Man]

I highly recomend removing the bumper. I finally learned after killing 2 of them.
As for the mounting, it all depends on the tow bar you are using. That one up there is a fine tow bar for the money spent. I paid 100 bucks for mine and it served me very well. To bolt it to the frame like that, you have to spread it ever so slightly... but it is enough to make you cuss.
The tow bar I have now, it requires 2 big 'ole 7/16 bolts to hold the bracket to the vehicle being towed. I took a long piece of flat stock and drilled the holes in it, and then bolted it to where the bumper used to be.
I have Not had to tow a truck with no engine, at least, not one with a straight frame. (When i took longhorn #1 to the junk yard the frame was bent and I had to lock the wheels straight forward) When dragging longhorn #3 (parts truck) seen here in the pics, I had to lock the wheels straight on it too, there was no steering gear box, and the wheels flopped where ever they wanted to. Let me say this, you do NOT want to tow with the wheels locked. Esp if your tow vehicle is a light weight. The pics here, my one ton pulling the remains of a truck, that sucker was VERY hard in the turns. I'd turn, the 'trailer' wanted to keep going straight. When i did this with the old blue longhorn (longhorn #1) I was using a 1/2 ton SWB, and when the 'trailer' wanted to go straight.... it did. I was able to pull out of the jack knife... but it was interesting.
Again...that is if you lock the wheels forward.
You'll need a back up plan, since there is the possability of not tracking straight like smbrouss70 said.

[WK Truck]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

The tow bar I have now, it requires 2 big 'ole 7/16 bolts to hold the bracket to the vehicle being towed. I took a long piece of flat stock and drilled the holes in it, and then bolted it to where the bumper used to be.

Longhorn Man, I have to pull a C30 home, roughly 100 miles. I have the same tow bar set up, however I need the hole spacing so I can drill out the flat stock bar to match up to the frame. Would you be able to get me those measurements, it would help tremendously. Thank you

[hoser]

Any reason why I shouldnt buy this one?
http://jcw.com/autoparts/Product/tf-...+10201/c-10101

I am 15 miles from their store and can go pick it up save on shipping.

I have all kinds of HD chain so wont need a chain kit...

I always worried about hitting a big bump and the wheels turning all
the way in one direction or the other.

Thanks again

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by hoser

Any reason why I shouldnt buy this one?
http://jcw.com/autoparts/Product/tf-...+10201/c-10101

I am 15 miles from their store and can go pick it up save on shipping.

I have all kinds of HD chain so wont need a chain kit...

I always worried about hitting a big bump and the wheels turning all
the way in one direction or the other.

Thanks again

That tow bar should be just fine. I have not recently towed one without an engine, but you can strap down the steering wheel or front pieces to keep the wheels pointed straight.

[cheyenne10]

Anyone know where those frame diagrams came from (book source)?

[rwgregory]

Take this as some friendly advice. If you have to go any distance at all, DO
NOT attempt to tow that truck w/o engine & trans. If you only have to go a
few blocks on surface streets you can probably pull it off. However, if travel-
ing any distance or at freeway speeds put some weight on the front end. Tie
concrete blocks in the engine bay, use a 55 gal. drum filled with dirt or rocks,
get creative, but add at least 500 lbs. over the front end. You risk turning
your new tow bar into a pretzel, damaging your tow vehicle, causing a wreck,
getting arrested and maybe even screwing up the truck you are dragging
home. I have flat-towed many vehicles over the years and have learned many
lessons the hard way. Good luck!!

[hoser]

Originally Posted by rwgregory

Take this as some friendly advice. If you have to go any distance at all, DO
NOT attempt to tow that truck w/o engine & trans. If you only have to go a
few blocks on surface streets you can probably pull it off. However, if travel-
ing any distance or at freeway speeds put some weight on the front end. Tie
concrete blocks in the engine bay, use a 55 gal. drum filled with dirt or rocks,
get creative, but add at least 500 lbs. over the front end. You risk turning
your new tow bar into a pretzel, damaging your tow vehicle, causing a wreck,
getting arrested and maybe even screwing up the truck you are dragging
home. I have flat-towed many vehicles over the years and have learned many
lessons the hard way. Good luck!!

Thanks this is exactly what I am looking for and why I post here, I will take along a plastic 55 gallon drum and fill it with water in the engine compartment if thats not enough I am sure I can get some bags of sand or something to put in the cab of the truck.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Just recently towed one back 6 hours with one of those bars,
everything worked fine, my only issue was it was so dark and
so cold that I didn't unhook the driveshaft, I'd reccomend it.

[Skruffy]

OK, maybe I'm missing something here. I got the impression this was a one-time tow. If so, why not just rent a tow-bar that attaches to the bumper? The cost is minimal and is a heck of a lot easier. I towed a 71 shortboad loaded down with other stuff in the bed from Dallas to Chicago and never had a minutes trouble.

Alternatively, if there motor is out and there are worries about the weight in front, why not rent a trailer?

[hoser]

Originally Posted by Skruffy

OK, maybe I'm missing something here. I got the impression this was a one-time tow. If so, why not just rent a tow-bar that attaches to the bumper? The cost is minimal and is a heck of a lot easier. I towed a 71 shortboad loaded down with other stuff in the bed from Dallas to Chicago and never had a minutes trouble.

Alternatively, if there motor is out and there are worries about the weight in front, why not rent a trailer?

Good idea but where and how much? after a few hours of researching I gave up and went with the idea buying my own tow bar, Uhauls web page is about worthless to me what ever I plug in it says NO, guess I need a 50k diesel HD one ton before they will rent me anything. I need to get the truck home with the LEAST amount of resistance, if buying the tow bar eliminates me having to deal with a half of dozen people, filling out papers, giving 10 forms of ID answering 20 dumb questions, paying deposits, dealing with store hours, then I am buying the tow bar using it one time then throwing it away hehe

FYI I am towing from OKC area to about 70 miles south west of Chicago ( I live out by Ottawa area where are you?) total trip
looks like 815 miles, I will probably be taking 39 to 55 to 44
then what ever to get to the guys house...

Thanks again guys...

[Skruffy]

Originally Posted by hoser

Good idea but where and how much? after a few hours of researching I gave up and went with the idea buying my own tow bar, Uhauls web page is about worthless to me what ever I plug in it says NO, guess I need a 50k diesel HD one ton before they will rent me anything. I need to get the truck home with the LEAST amount of resistance, if buying the tow bar eliminates me having to deal with a half of dozen people, filling out papers, giving 10 forms of ID answering 20 dumb questions, paying deposits, dealing with store hours, then I am buying the tow bar using it one time then throwing it away hehe

FYI I am towing from OKC area to about 70 miles south west of Chicago ( I live out by Ottawa area where are you?) total trip
looks like 815 miles, I will probably be taking 39 to 55 to 44
then what ever to get to the guys house...

Thanks again guys...

Your best bet is to call a local U-haul, their website sucks. I do know that I rented a car hauler from U-haul to haul a 71 shortbed. I was using a 70 longbed with auto and 350 to pull it. They said it was OK - who knows, it may depend on who is working.

I just called a U-haul in OKC - they said they don't rent them anymore because there isn't enough call for them since cars don't have bumpers anymore.

I would bet that some dealers do still rent them - If I were you I would call a few from where you're leaving from just to check.

I bet the cost would be $50 ir less.

[wibilly]

when i used to tow alot with a tow bar i used bunji cords on stearing wheels to help center them and return them to straight worked well for me

[Longhorn Man]

Renting a trailer one way, or 3 days or what ever would be WAY more expensive than buying a tow bar.

[Green Machine]

Somebody should know somebody that has a trailer you can rent or borrow. I've rented a trailer from a body shop here for 1 day for $25. Another guy lets me use his truck and trailer for gas money plus about 20 bucks.

[Longhorn Man]

Don't be afraid of a tow bar...the [i]real[/] cool part, you break it down, store it un a closet or in the rafters of the garage, and in 2 years, when you need it again, you don't need to replace tires, or get new tags like a trailer, just assemble it, and hook up and go.
In many ways, I feel it is way safer than a dolly, and 10 times better if you even think of backing up.
I had to haul my old GMC from Ft Hood Tx to here in Columbus Ohio, I paid 100 bucks for my tow bar, and that was almost 1/2 the price the local moving van place wanted to rent me a trailer. It was a no brainer in my situation.
I thought I'd never need it agian, and almost threw it away, then I had to tow a ranger to the junk yard, an s 10 blazer to the junk yard, then my longhorn here from eastern PA, then my aunt's S-10 p/u from illinois to north western ohio...
All that out of a $100 tool, and then, I got my money back when i sold the GMC...the truck was dead, sold it for 400 bucks, and threw the tow bar in for another 100. (including a couple chains too though)