Towbar vs Tow Dolly - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

one legged lance · 07-22-2002, 12:24 PM

Hello & Howdy all,
I ask this in another thread but then got to thinking that I should put it out for all thoughts.
I need to use my 72 C-10 to tow a 86 Pontiac Parisenne from Phx to Tx and Uhaul has both a towbar and a 2 wheel dolly (they say that the big car on a big trailer is too much for my truck???).
I have never used a towbar before and was curious about which is better for that kind of distance. The bar is $100 less than the dolly but I will spend the money for less hassle.
All thoughts welcome, thanks in advance,
1 Leg Lance

72Lester · 07-22-2002, 12:34 PM

I've seen plenty of our trucks haul big cars around before and I used to do it all the time with my '72 C10, but I had the heavy duty leaf springs, 4.10 gears and trailer brake controller. As for the bar or dolly, I'd personally choose the dolly.

bmg · 07-22-2002, 12:43 PM

I understand your dilema. I was told when towing you must tow no more than what your truck weighs to include hauler. The reason explained to me is that when on a hill it will pull you back or some bull@@it like that. One of Uhauls restrictions. Tell then your gonna pull a neon with it or somin like that. Hope this helps explain it for ya

**Joesjunk** · 07-22-2002, 01:07 PM

I would choose the dolly also.

OLDCHEV4X4 · 07-22-2002, 01:26 PM

If you do go with the tow bar, go to Wallmart and buy one. they are less than $100 and than you will always have it and you and your friends can fill the yard with old chevy trucks.
Randy

1-PU70 · 07-22-2002, 02:24 PM

I would go with the tow dolly. Went to Milwaukee and back from Florida. No problems. I bought mine from U-Haul for under $500 with new tires, fenders and lights.

68 Suburban · 07-22-2002, 03:21 PM

I would go with the tow dolly, especially if you can get brakes on the dolly. My tow dolly that I got rid of (stupid me) had surge brakes and was a real comfort to feel those brakes kick in on a stop down hill! How does the tow dolly from Wal Mart hook to the towed vehicle?

1ToBjimmyk5 · 07-22-2002, 03:37 PM

I would use the tow dolly. But I do not understand why you can not use a trailer. I towed my blazer on a trailer with a van and all u-haul said that the truck may not fit on the tailer (tires too big).
I would try an other uhaul.

68 Suburban · 07-22-2002, 03:43 PM

I dont know if you are taking the Northern Route out of Phoenix, or are going the Southern Route through Tucson, but if you are going to be going up any mountains, you will be glad not to have the extra 2300 lbs of the uhaul trailer. It will feel like someone threw the Titanics anchor out the back of your truck.

68 Suburban · 07-22-2002, 03:45 PM

I know U-Haul was getting rid of a lot of their tow dollys, do the new tow dollys have surge brakes on them? From what I understand, to tow legally in most states, you are suppose to have brakes on any towed vehicle over 1000lbs. I don't know how strict they are, but just something to think about.

Longhorn Man · 07-22-2002, 05:25 PM

Woah! ols Chev is back on!!!
Been wondering about you man.
I didn't see this thread, but I did start my own thread on it when i saw the other thread ythat you first asked this Q in.
Confused? Just look for your name.

70cstguy · 07-22-2002, 05:58 PM

I would go with the dolly. Went to Tulsa once with dad to get some truck parts. We where towing a 67 GMC long wide(perfect, except for paint) with a 72 stake body using a old U-haul tow bar. Had only made it a few hundred miles in the rain when a 18 wheeler came by at warp speed. The 67 took to whipping, next thing I know we are slideing down an embankment on the drivers side. The 67 rolled 2or 3 times on the concreteand the 72 ended up on it's side. The 67 was wiped out, not a straight piece left on it. We traded it for a tow, and drove the 72 home. I always blame the towbar, if we had a tow dolly it never would have happened.

Longhorn Man · 07-22-2002, 06:10 PM

If they were not safe, they would be illegal.
And esp U-haul...they are over safe, you damn near need a C/50 to tow anything with there stuff...but they'll rent you a tow bar though.
They are safe...ppl are just scared of them.
That's how 70 ton tanks are topwd with a 56 ton wrecker. I did it for years.

07-22-2002, 12:24 PM	#1
one legged lance Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Phx,Az USA Posts: 67	Towbar vs Tow Dolly Hello & Howdy all, I ask this in another thread but then got to thinking that I should put it out for all thoughts. I need to use my 72 C-10 to tow a 86 Pontiac Parisenne from Phx to Tx and Uhaul has both a towbar and a 2 wheel dolly (they say that the big car on a big trailer is too much for my truck???). I have never used a towbar before and was curious about which is better for that kind of distance. The bar is $100 less than the dolly but I will spend the money for less hassle. All thoughts welcome, thanks in advance, 1 Leg Lance

07-22-2002, 12:34 PM	#2
72Lester Genuine smartass Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Enid, OK - soon to be Rapid City, SD Posts: 126	I've seen plenty of our trucks haul big cars around before and I used to do it all the time with my '72 C10, but I had the heavy duty leaf springs, 4.10 gears and trailer brake controller. As for the bar or dolly, I'd personally choose the dolly. __________________ '99 Chevy 3/4 Burb 4x4 '98 Chevy 1/2 Short Bed 4x4 Former 67 & 72 owner Wanted: 1972 10 or 20 4X4, V8 4spd

07-22-2002, 01:07 PM	#4
Joesjunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Independence MO. Posts: 7,712	I would choose the dolly also. __________________ 72 3/4t Custom Deluxe 402/auto 66k Original paint 71 3/4t 4x4 Custom Deluxe 10k original miles Original paint 71 3/4t Cheyenne 402 70k original paint 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 91k original paint 72 Cheyenne/30 Dually 69 Camaro SS396 4-speed 13 GMC 2500HD Duramax I bought new 05 Jeep Wrangler "Willys Edition" 12k miles (I bought new) 85 3/4 ton 4x4 Scottsdale 33k miles original paint 86 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 454 restored 80 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 9,434 original miles!! original paint 95 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 my dad bought new 95 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4, regular cab 454, 31k original miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 6.0L 67k miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 8.1L 28k miles 2003 GMC 2500HD 4x4 regular cab Diesel 93k miles 67-72 Parts for sale

07-22-2002, 01:26 PM	#5
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	If you do go with the tow bar, go to Wallmart and buy one. they are less than $100 and than you will always have it and you and your friends can fill the yard with old chevy trucks. Randy __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

07-22-2002, 02:24 PM	#6
1-PU70 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 1,036	I would go with the tow dolly. Went to Milwaukee and back from Florida. No problems. I bought mine from U-Haul for under $500 with new tires, fenders and lights. Attached Images __________________ 1970 CST/10 402,700R4,3:73 posi,AC,PS,PB,TLT,PW,Buckets with heaters

07-22-2002, 12:43 PM	#3
bmg Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN USA Posts: 157	I understand your dilema. I was told when towing you must tow no more than what your truck weighs to include hauler. The reason explained to me is that when on a hill it will pull you back or some bull@@it like that. One of Uhauls restrictions. Tell then your gonna pull a neon with it or somin like that. Hope this helps explain it for ya

07-22-2002, 03:21 PM	#7
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	I would go with the tow dolly, especially if you can get brakes on the dolly. My tow dolly that I got rid of (stupid me) had surge brakes and was a real comfort to feel those brakes kick in on a stop down hill! How does the tow dolly from Wal Mart hook to the towed vehicle? __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

07-22-2002, 03:37 PM	#8
1ToBjimmyk5 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Centreville,VA & Millsboro, DE Posts: 47	tow dolly I would use the tow dolly. But I do not understand why you can not use a trailer. I towed my blazer on a trailer with a van and all u-haul said that the truck may not fit on the tailer (tires too big). I would try an other uhaul. __________________ 1971 Chevy Blazer(looks like Jimmy),1988 Ford E350 Van,2001 Nissan Sentra(Wife), 1993 Nissan Sentra (to/from work),1985 Dixie (boat) with a big Johnson,And I want my 1970 Buick Conv. back!!!! Centreville,VA

07-22-2002, 03:43 PM	#9
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	I dont know if you are taking the Northern Route out of Phoenix, or are going the Southern Route through Tucson, but if you are going to be going up any mountains, you will be glad not to have the extra 2300 lbs of the uhaul trailer. It will feel like someone threw the Titanics anchor out the back of your truck. __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

07-22-2002, 03:45 PM	#10
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	I know U-Haul was getting rid of a lot of their tow dollys, do the new tow dollys have surge brakes on them? From what I understand, to tow legally in most states, you are suppose to have brakes on any towed vehicle over 1000lbs. I don't know how strict they are, but just something to think about. __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

07-22-2002, 05:25 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Woah! ols Chev is back on!!! Been wondering about you man. I didn't see this thread, but I did start my own thread on it when i saw the other thread ythat you first asked this Q in. Confused? Just look for your name.

07-22-2002, 05:58 PM	#12
70cstguy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Travelers Rest SC. Posts: 79	I would go with the dolly. Went to Tulsa once with dad to get some truck parts. We where towing a 67 GMC long wide(perfect, except for paint) with a 72 stake body using a old U-haul tow bar. Had only made it a few hundred miles in the rain when a 18 wheeler came by at warp speed. The 67 took to whipping, next thing I know we are slideing down an embankment on the drivers side. The 67 rolled 2or 3 times on the concreteand the 72 ended up on it's side. The 67 was wiped out, not a straight piece left on it. We traded it for a tow, and drove the 72 home. I always blame the towbar, if we had a tow dolly it never would have happened. __________________ 70 cst/10 swb 350/350 ugly olive green, but very straight and little rust.

07-22-2002, 06:10 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	If they were not safe, they would be illegal. And esp U-haul...they are over safe, you damn near need a C/50 to tow anything with there stuff...but they'll rent you a tow bar though. They are safe...ppl are just scared of them. That's how 70 ton tanks are topwd with a 56 ton wrecker. I did it for years.



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