tow bars

[CG]

i see alot of you guys use tow bars. i have never used one. do you have to strap the steering wheel so it doesnt turn? whats the weight limit you can tow like this? some of the set ups ive seen sure don't look very burly. what are the laws regarding lighting? i bet i would be pulled over as soon as i left my driveway if i tried using one of those....ok thats it, im just curious.

[Palf70Step]

No you don't have to strap the steering wheel. With the engine in the vehicle the weight will keep it on line. If towing an engineless vehicle that has a power stering box, you can tie the high and low pressure side together with hose and clamps and it keeps the wheels staight.

My bar is rated at 3500lbs, but I have had no trubs with my shortbed trucks. Probably would be alright with long beds and 3/4 tons (empty) also. You should have lights running on the towed vehicle. Your local laws are the biggest factor. I used the flashers on my trucks when I towed it the 130miles home. Today I towed with just the dodges lights, which can be seen from behind the truck, but I don't like it that way. I am making some clamp on lights that will plug into my trailor wiring.

Andy, Longhornman, had a thread a while back or a way to make a connector that will plug into your trucks stock wiring harness under the hood.

[Fred T]

Towed weight depends on the bar rating and your hitch rating. You will have to have some sort of lights. One option is tapping into the wiring, another is a light bar. Another option is to have a rider in the towed vehicle (not legal in some states) and have them operate the lights. They can also help with braking. Dad and I towed some vehicles like that, I got to be the brakeman. Nothing like towing down the interstate at 80 mph.

[Skruffy]

Originally Posted by Fred T

Towed weight depends on the bar rating and your hitch rating. You will have to have some sort of lights. One option is tapping into the wiring, another is a light bar. Another option is to have a rider in the towed vehicle (not legal in some states) and have them operate the lights. They can also help with braking. Dad and I towed some vehicles like that, I got to be the brakeman. Nothing like towing down the interstate at 80 mph.

I bought a light set from U-haul that plugs into the tail lights of the truck doing the towing. The lights have magnets in the base and can sit on the bed rails.

[Longhorn Man]

You actually want the front tires to turn when you turn. Itherwise, the towed vehicle can, and damn well may, jack knife you. I've had to tow 2 longhorns to date with no steering gear boxes. In order to do it with no gear box, I had to lock the wheels forward (they will not track with no gear box) and it WILL try to jack knife you.
Tow bars are perfectly safe and legal as long as the driver knows what is back there. The main thing to look at is trailer brake laws in your state. I got out of that one recently (got pulled over towing the parts longhorn with the one ton longhorn) I told the cop, this truck has the EXACT same brakes as a one ton SRW 67 - 70 tow truck would have.... which the tow truck would weigh more... so how can a truck with less stopping ability be safer than one with more stopping power. That kinda stumped him... but in reality, I was wrong and he was right. (still didn't get a ticket)
You have to know what youa re doing, I used to tow 70 ton tanks with a 56 ton recovery vehicle...with a tow bar. I towed the one ton longhorn with a k/5 blazer 430 miles (same tow bar Palf70 has) I also towed my old SWB GMC with a moving van 1200 miles.... never an issue. Schools use them on ther school busses, RV drivers always have them on there cars... If they weren't safe, they'd be outlawed.
I can get pics and description of the harness I made up. It works killer.