67-72 Custom Tow Bars - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

grayw0lf · 12-21-2004, 10:42 PM

Does anyone have any good plans for a tow bar to haul our trucks around?

Whatever plans or pictures you have would be helpful.

Where do you bolt onto? Where do you attach the chains?

I don't completely trust my truck, & besides, it'd be a fun new welding project!

If there enough other people on here interested, I may take tons of pics & post all w/ measurements & such. Not that I'm all that good, but you could use my work as a point of reference (to avoid) if nothing else.

Thanks Guys,

CHEVYE · 12-21-2004, 10:56 PM

i used a tow bar (not custom) from longhorn man to haul a truck back a few hundred miles. it hooked right to the front 2 frame horns where the bumper bolts. worked like a charm.

Longhorn Man · 12-21-2004, 11:10 PM

in all reality, I say buy one...and I'm the cheapest SOB you'll ever know.

A home made one isn't DOT aproved, and you can be fined for using it, along with having to drop your load (the truck) and return with proper equipment.

You can get them pretty cheap. I got one for 100 bucks at wall mart. I hear they don't carry them anymore, and I can't find them, but I just got a PM from a member in PA who said he got one at wall mart.

This one is new for 2004, but it looks almost identicle to the one i had.

The one I had was rated at 3500 pounds, but I think the weak link on it was the way they wanted you to hook up. This was a fixed A frame tow bar. They wanted you to drill 1/2 inch holes in the bumper. I held it up to the bumper and saw it was about 1/2 inch short of bolting to the bumper bolts...the ones that go to the frame. So I streached it out untill it fit. It was a bit of a PITA to install becouse of the streaching thing, but it worked awsome. I hauled my old SWB GMC with an extra cab in the bed and a 400 small block and 3 tool boxes full of tools inside the spare cab...had no issues. 1300 miles from tx to oh.
Used the same one a few times on small trips..local mostly.
Then, (same tow bar) dragged the '70 one ton longhorn 430 miles from PA to here.

Notice, i just wrapped a chain from frame to frame crossing under the hituc. The crossing is important and many don't know, or don't know why...it is to catch the tongue of the tralierd vehicle in case it pops off the hitch. Not just a tow bar thing...a towing anything thing.

I wish i didn't have to sell the sucker.

DO NOT GET THE BULL DOG ONE ON E-BAY
I bought one last month, 75 bucks to my door, a collapsable tow bar, rated at 5000 pounds, shipped to my door for 75 bucks.
That POS broke less than ONE FRIGGEN BLOCK into it's first tow.
Called up the company, they acused me of not knowing how to use the tool.

in addition to the trips mentioned above, and the one s-10 5 miles to the junk yard, and an s-10 200 miles from here I towed home...on top of all that, i have well over 500 DOCUMENTED hrs of tow bar use in the army dragging 70 ton tanks, 56 ton recovery vehicles, hummers, 13 ton armored personel carriers.... and they say i didn't know what I was doing....
Anyways, don't get that POS. It needs major re-working so the stress points pull against the metal instead of against the weld.
If wally world doesn't have one, you can call a local RV dealer, and if that fails, http://www.reeseprod.com/ should be able to hook you up.

cheyenne10 · 12-22-2004, 03:13 AM

Any close ups pics showing attachment to bumper bolt holes. Looks very slick.

Blue Beard · 12-22-2004, 09:18 AM

I have plans for a tow dolly if you really want a project...

grayw0lf · 12-22-2004, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Beard

I have plans for a tow dolly if you really want a project...

Thanks Blue Beard, but I'm not a fan of the tow dolly. I'd almost prefer chains or a tow strap.

67ChevyRedneck · 12-22-2004, 04:49 PM

I was told tow bars were illegal in SC. You have to use a dolly or trailer....

Just what I've been told....but then again we don't have vehicle inspections either....I think my 86 Camaro could use a 454 and some straight pipes...... Sorry to everyone who has to deal with all that California emissions BS!

CHEVYE · 12-22-2004, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheyenne10

Any close ups pics showing attachment to bumper bolt holes. Looks very slick.

i`ll get some on here when i get home tonight.

Longhorn Man · 12-22-2004, 09:35 PM

Thanks Chevye...I don't have any close ups of that anymore.
Illegal in S.C. huh?
I wonder if they let the federal gov use them in there state then?

ppl think these are unsafe, but like any other method of towing, if done properly, and treated properly, with good components, it is perfectly safe.

CHEVYE · 12-22-2004, 09:45 PM

yeah i was kind of skeptical at first too, but the towbar performed flawlessly.

here`s the pic. my concrete slab in front of the garage is a 2 inch thick slab of ice... like everything else around here tonight.

CHEVYE · 12-22-2004, 09:46 PM

thoes little c clamps attach through the towbar and hold on with a cotter pin. sorry for the poor pics.

TugOwar · 12-22-2004, 09:49 PM

I seriously doubt its against the law in SC. Even if it is its not enforced. People I knew in GA made a living going to PA & NY, buying 4 or 5 rust heaps with good motors and trannys and tow-baring them back to GA. They would sell the motor/tranny and anything else they could and crush the rest. But never knew of a ticket for using a tow-bar.

12-21-2004, 10:42 PM	#1
grayw0lf Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Clanton, AL Posts: 1,253	67-72 Custom Tow Bars Does anyone have any good plans for a tow bar to haul our trucks around? Whatever plans or pictures you have would be helpful. Where do you bolt onto? Where do you attach the chains? I don't completely trust my truck, & besides, it'd be a fun new welding project! If there enough other people on here interested, I may take tons of pics & post all w/ measurements & such. Not that I'm all that good, but you could use my work as a point of reference (to avoid) if nothing else. Thanks Guys, __________________ 85' CUCV M1009!!! The newest addition! 6.2diesel, Th400, NP208, & only 36k miles! 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside - Looking good these days! 05' Dodge Neon 88' Winner Escape Sport 1750 - 4.3v6 94' Seadoo SP 84' Honda TRX200, bare nekkid. Just a frame & tires. Always looking for another project or any good deal!

12-21-2004, 10:56 PM	#2
CHEVYE my gas saver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 2,046	i used a tow bar (not custom) from longhorn man to haul a truck back a few hundred miles. it hooked right to the front 2 frame horns where the bumper bolts. worked like a charm. __________________ 85' SWB, 4.3/TH350, getting ready for paint 84`SWB, 462ci./TH400, cowl hood, 15" billet spec., flows, blazer buckets/console, flat black 71`SWB, project ebay feedback

12-22-2004, 03:13 AM	#4
cheyenne10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,512	attaching points Any close ups pics showing attachment to bumper bolt holes. Looks very slick. __________________ Bob

12-22-2004, 09:18 AM	#5
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	I have plans for a tow dolly if you really want a project... __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

12-22-2004, 04:49 PM	#7
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	I was told tow bars were illegal in SC. You have to use a dolly or trailer.... Just what I've been told....but then again we don't have vehicle inspections either....I think my 86 Camaro could use a 454 and some straight pipes...... Sorry to everyone who has to deal with all that California emissions BS! __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

12-21-2004, 11:10 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	in all reality, I say buy one...and I'm the cheapest SOB you'll ever know. A home made one isn't DOT aproved, and you can be fined for using it, along with having to drop your load (the truck) and return with proper equipment. You can get them pretty cheap. I got one for 100 bucks at wall mart. I hear they don't carry them anymore, and I can't find them, but I just got a PM from a member in PA who said he got one at wall mart. This one is new for 2004, but it looks almost identicle to the one i had. The one I had was rated at 3500 pounds, but I think the weak link on it was the way they wanted you to hook up. This was a fixed A frame tow bar. They wanted you to drill 1/2 inch holes in the bumper. I held it up to the bumper and saw it was about 1/2 inch short of bolting to the bumper bolts...the ones that go to the frame. So I streached it out untill it fit. It was a bit of a PITA to install becouse of the streaching thing, but it worked awsome. I hauled my old SWB GMC with an extra cab in the bed and a 400 small block and 3 tool boxes full of tools inside the spare cab...had no issues. 1300 miles from tx to oh. Used the same one a few times on small trips..local mostly. Then, (same tow bar) dragged the '70 one ton longhorn 430 miles from PA to here. Notice, i just wrapped a chain from frame to frame crossing under the hituc. The crossing is important and many don't know, or don't know why...it is to catch the tongue of the tralierd vehicle in case it pops off the hitch. Not just a tow bar thing...a towing anything thing. I wish i didn't have to sell the sucker. *DO NOT GET THE BULL DOG ONE ON E-BAY* I bought one last month, 75 bucks to my door, a collapsable tow bar, rated at 5000 pounds, shipped to my door for 75 bucks. That POS broke less than ONE FRIGGEN BLOCK into it's first tow. Called up the company, they acused me of not knowing how to use the tool. in addition to the trips mentioned above, and the one s-10 5 miles to the junk yard, and an s-10 200 miles from here I towed home...on top of all that, i have well over 500 DOCUMENTED hrs of tow bar use in the army dragging 70 ton tanks, 56 ton recovery vehicles, hummers, 13 ton armored personel carriers.... and they say i didn't know what I was doing.... Anyways, don't get that POS. It needs major re-working so the stress points pull against the metal instead of against the weld. If wally world doesn't have one, you can call a local RV dealer, and if that fails, http://www.reeseprod.com/ should be able to hook you up.

12-22-2004, 09:35 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Thanks Chevye...I don't have any close ups of that anymore. Illegal in S.C. huh? I wonder if they let the federal gov use them in there state then? ppl think these are unsafe, but like any other method of towing, if done properly, and treated properly, with good components, it is perfectly safe.

12-22-2004, 09:45 PM	#10
CHEVYE my gas saver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 2,046	yeah i was kind of skeptical at first too, but the towbar performed flawlessly. here`s the pic. my concrete slab in front of the garage is a 2 inch thick slab of ice... like everything else around here tonight. Attached Images __________________ 85' SWB, 4.3/TH350, getting ready for paint 84`SWB, 462ci./TH400, cowl hood, 15" billet spec., flows, blazer buckets/console, flat black 71`SWB, project ebay feedback

12-22-2004, 09:46 PM	#11
CHEVYE my gas saver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 2,046	thoes little c clamps attach through the towbar and hold on with a cotter pin. sorry for the poor pics. __________________ 85' SWB, 4.3/TH350, getting ready for paint 84`SWB, 462ci./TH400, cowl hood, 15" billet spec., flows, blazer buckets/console, flat black 71`SWB, project ebay feedback

12-22-2004, 09:49 PM	#12
TugOwar Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pleasanton, TX Posts: 1,723	I seriously doubt its against the law in SC. Even if it is its not enforced. People I knew in GA made a living going to PA & NY, buying 4 or 5 rust heaps with good motors and trannys and tow-baring them back to GA. They would sell the motor/tranny and anything else they could and crush the rest. But never knew of a ticket for using a tow-bar.



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