Backing up with a tow bar - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**dmjlambert** · 10-02-2019, 08:24 PM

When I remove the engine from my truck, I would like to roll the truck out of the garage and power wash the engine bay. I have a list of things I want to do with the engine and the engine bay while the engine is out.

When it comes time to put the truck back into the garage, which is uphill, I was thinking of putting this tow bar on it and use my SUV to back the truck into the garage. I understand these trucks track fine when going forward. Should I expect it to be a different story and big trouble to back it up?

It is a 1969 CST/10 pickup with power steering and manual brakes.

Keith Seymore · 10-02-2019, 08:37 PM

I don't know; I don't think I've ever backed up with a tow bar.

I don't think it will be too bad since it's just a one-shot deal. I imagine you will be going slow; you would be able to stop and straighten it up with the floor jack or by steering the wheels of the towed vehicle.

I have a lag bolt in the post in front of my repair stall. That allows me to pull any disabled vehicle up in the garage with the come along.

K

BigBird05 · 10-02-2019, 08:53 PM

I did that with mine. Not to bad as long as it is going straight back. Helps if you have a second person steering the truck while you are backing up.

lutronjim · 10-02-2019, 09:05 PM

Might tie up steering wheel like the wrecker guys do if you by yourself.

**truckster** · 10-02-2019, 10:05 PM

I would have someone behind the steering wheel making sure it tracks.

**Steeveedee** · 10-02-2019, 10:36 PM

Either of the last two replies are great, if you don't have someone to help. Backing with a tow bar (or even towing forward when turning sharp corners) has to be done carefully.

**dmjlambert** · 10-02-2019, 10:54 PM

Are there any special considerations or problems I could have with unpowered power steering?

**davischevy** · 10-02-2019, 11:32 PM

It shouldn't be a problem with the steering. As said earlier, you will need someone behind the wheel or tie the wheel down. I tow a Jeep behind our motorhome and if I back up far I have to do one of the above.

**Ironangel** · 10-03-2019, 12:27 AM

It should work quite well because the tow bar is a solid connection allowing the push vehicle to become an extension of the non-motor vehicle. I'm doing the same maneuver with one of my 72's but instead of a truck with a tow bar I use a Ford 8N tractor with a 3-point boom. I have also used a snatch block anchored to the shop floor and use a winch. A positive connection on a sloped or inclined surface is probably the safest way to move that truck. If you don't have a co-pilot to help steer, a couple of ratchet straps will hold the wheel. Tow bar should work and work well, just take it slow and easy...

**HO455** · 10-03-2019, 02:18 AM

The shorter the wheelbase on your tow rig the better in this situation. I've backed up cars on tow dollies with my S10 Blazer. I would not even attempt it with my Burban.
One other note if you have power steering you need to loop the hoses or make other provisions to catch the fluid.

10-02-2019, 08:24 PM	#1
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 3,803	Backing up with a tow bar When I remove the engine from my truck, I would like to roll the truck out of the garage and power wash the engine bay. I have a list of things I want to do with the engine and the engine bay while the engine is out. When it comes time to put the truck back into the garage, which is uphill, I was thinking of putting this tow bar on it and use my SUV to back the truck into the garage. I understand these trucks track fine when going forward. Should I expect it to be a different story and big trouble to back it up? It is a 1969 CST/10 pickup with power steering and manual brakes. Attached Images

10-02-2019, 08:37 PM	#2
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,213	Re: Backing up with a tow bar I don't know; I don't think I've ever backed up with a tow bar. I don't think it will be too bad since it's just a one-shot deal. I imagine you will be going slow; you would be able to stop and straighten it up with the floor jack or by steering the wheels of the towed vehicle. I have a lag bolt in the post in front of my repair stall. That allows me to pull any disabled vehicle up in the garage with the come along. K Attached Images __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ Last edited by Keith Seymore; 10-03-2019 at 06:54 AM.

10-02-2019, 08:53 PM	#3
BigBird05 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Cheraw Posts: 1,300	Re: Backing up with a tow bar I did that with mine. Not to bad as long as it is going straight back. Helps if you have a second person steering the truck while you are backing up.

10-02-2019, 09:05 PM	#4
lutronjim Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Dunwoody,Ga Posts: 443	Re: Backing up with a tow bar Might tie up steering wheel like the wrecker guys do if you by yourself.

10-02-2019, 10:05 PM	#5
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,953	Re: Backing up with a tow bar I would have someone behind the steering wheel making sure it tracks. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

10-02-2019, 10:36 PM	#6
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,578	Re: Backing up with a tow bar Either of the last two replies are great, if you don't have someone to help. Backing with a tow bar (or even towing forward when turning sharp corners) has to be done carefully. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

10-02-2019, 10:54 PM	#7
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 3,803	Re: Backing up with a tow bar Are there any special considerations or problems I could have with unpowered power steering?

10-02-2019, 11:32 PM	#8
davischevy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Harrison, Arkansas Posts: 9,834	Re: Backing up with a tow bar It shouldn't be a problem with the steering. As said earlier, you will need someone behind the wheel or tie the wheel down. I tow a Jeep behind our motorhome and if I back up far I have to do one of the above. __________________ other Larry Build thread, Arkansas K10 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=755797&page=5 The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless.

10-03-2019, 12:27 AM	#9
Ironangel Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Falls City, Nebraska "100 Miles From Nowhere" Posts: 2,219	Re: Backing up with a tow bar It should work quite well because the tow bar is a solid connection allowing the push vehicle to become an extension of the non-motor vehicle. I'm doing the same maneuver with one of my 72's but instead of a truck with a tow bar I use a Ford 8N tractor with a 3-point boom. I have also used a snatch block anchored to the shop floor and use a winch. A positive connection on a sloped or inclined surface is probably the safest way to move that truck. If you don't have a co-pilot to help steer, a couple of ratchet straps will hold the wheel. Tow bar should work and work well, just take it slow and easy... __________________ Michael of the clan Hill, "Two Seventy Two's" 71 1-ton Dually 350 4-Speed 71 C/50 Grain Truck, 350 Split-Axle 4-Speed 02 3/4 ton Express 14 Indian Chief Vintage 1952 Ford 8N, "Only Ford Allowed On The Property" "Be American, Buy American"

10-03-2019, 02:18 AM	#10
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,268	Re: Backing up with a tow bar The shorter the wheelbase on your tow rig the better in this situation. I've backed up cars on tow dollies with my S10 Blazer. I would not even attempt it with my Burban. One other note if you have power steering you need to loop the hoses or make other provisions to catch the fluid. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

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