Blazer on a tow dolly? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Davy · 08-21-2003, 10:52 AM

Yes, another tow dolly question. Sorry to go thru this again.

Any opinions/ suggestions on towing a Blazer 1000 miles on a tow dolly?

Forward, backwards, drive shaft off, neutral, etc, etc.

It has a manual trans.

Can/should it be done???

Thanks for your help.

Davy

chevy_fatman · 08-21-2003, 11:09 AM

I did it last month for some 1,100 miles from Kansas to Pennsylvania.
Just make sure you get a dolly wide enough, mine was barely, if you notice that it has no fenders (had to take'em off to get more clearence) and the blazer's tires were about 2 inches on both sides from the dolly tires, but I made it.

I don't think that you have to take the driveshaft off; I did, mine's auto, your blazer being manual just put it in neutral.

I'm guessing your blazer is also 2wd.

Davy · 08-21-2003, 11:33 AM

fatman,

its a 4x4. is that going to be a problem?

Davy

bouncytruck · 08-21-2003, 11:38 AM

I think I'd pull the drive line if I were you. It won't take too long and it would be some cheap insurance.

Slammed67 · 08-21-2003, 12:59 PM

Take out the driveshaft. You could just unhook it from the rear end and tie it up out of the way, but then there is the risk it could come loose. Also, somehow secure the steering wheel (or the front wheels themselves) so it won't turn when the dolly turns. I recently towed a '56 Chevy station wagon about 480 miles. It has a hole in the front floor pan, so I took a small tie down strap and hooked it from the steering wheel to the frame (via the rusted hole) and tightened it down so the steering wheel couldn't turn. I assume most rental tow dollies have ramps that swivel, so you have to secure the front wheels so they won’t turn (left to right).

Davy · 08-21-2003, 03:20 PM

Thanks for the responses so far.

Here's what I got:

verify dolly width
Remove driveshaft
Lock steering

anything else??? remember it's a 4x4 with manual trans. 1000 miles.

I'm so frickin excited I can hardly contain myself.

Davy

Grim Reaper · 08-21-2003, 03:39 PM

Pull the shaft. Better safe then sorry.

On a RV forum I am on, a guy had a Sami Toad (nick name for a towed vehicle behind a motor home). On his truck, since it was 4wd, Suzuki recomends putting the manual trans mission in gear and transfer case in neutral. SOMEHOW while being pulled at 65mph it dropped into low range. Tranny was in third gear.

I did the math and if the ties were spinning (probably not because the jerk and smoke was what caught his attention) but if it had been able to spin the tires it would have been turning the engine at around 18,000 RPM.
No....It did not survive this.

Longhorn Man · 08-21-2003, 03:45 PM

Aren't the tires on a 4x4 wider apart? You may have problems if they are.

chevy_fatman · 08-21-2003, 07:32 PM

I believe that 4x4's are wider on the front, if so, you might want to get skinnier tires for the front, that wouldn't be necesary if you get a dolly wide enough, wider is better.

Class of 69 · 08-21-2003, 08:07 PM

Pull the driveshaft!! To lock the steering wheel..take a length of 3/8 ths rope about 4 feet long...make a loop and wrap it around wheel at the spoke ..hold the two loose ends out to the windshield, and close the door.

08-21-2003, 10:52 AM	#1
Davy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rice, Minnesota Posts: 370	Blazer on a tow dolly? Yes, another tow dolly question. Sorry to go thru this again. Any opinions/ suggestions on towing a Blazer 1000 miles on a tow dolly? Forward, backwards, drive shaft off, neutral, etc, etc. It has a manual trans. Can/should it be done??? Thanks for your help. Davy __________________ 1970 Blazer CST Looking for NOS items for my CST restoration.

08-21-2003, 11:09 AM	#2
chevy_fatman Where's my beer? Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I live in the state of denial.... Posts: 5,621	I did it last month for some 1,100 miles from Kansas to Pennsylvania. Just make sure you get a dolly wide enough, mine was barely, if you notice that it has no fenders (had to take'em off to get more clearence) and the blazer's tires were about 2 inches on both sides from the dolly tires, but I made it. I don't think that you have to take the driveshaft off; I did, mine's auto, your blazer being manual just put it in neutral. I'm guessing your blazer is also 2wd. Attached Images __________________ Paul How do you make the invisible, visible?.........You take it away.

08-21-2003, 11:33 AM	#3
Davy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rice, Minnesota Posts: 370	fatman, its a 4x4. is that going to be a problem? Davy __________________ 1970 Blazer CST Looking for NOS items for my CST restoration.

08-21-2003, 11:38 AM	#4
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	I think I'd pull the drive line if I were you. It won't take too long and it would be some cheap insurance. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

08-21-2003, 12:59 PM	#5
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	Take out the driveshaft. You could just unhook it from the rear end and tie it up out of the way, but then there is the risk it could come loose. Also, somehow secure the steering wheel (or the front wheels themselves) so it won't turn when the dolly turns. I recently towed a '56 Chevy station wagon about 480 miles. It has a hole in the front floor pan, so I took a small tie down strap and hooked it from the steering wheel to the frame (via the rusted hole) and tightened it down so the steering wheel couldn't turn. I assume most rental tow dollies have ramps that swivel, so you have to secure the front wheels so they won’t turn (left to right). __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra

08-21-2003, 03:20 PM	#6
Davy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rice, Minnesota Posts: 370	Thanks for the responses so far. Here's what I got: verify dolly width Remove driveshaft Lock steering anything else??? remember it's a 4x4 with manual trans. 1000 miles. I'm so frickin excited I can hardly contain myself. Davy __________________ 1970 Blazer CST Looking for NOS items for my CST restoration.

08-21-2003, 03:39 PM	#7
Grim Reaper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 1,704	Pull the shaft. Better safe then sorry. On a RV forum I am on, a guy had a Sami Toad (nick name for a towed vehicle behind a motor home). On his truck, since it was 4wd, Suzuki recomends putting the manual trans mission in gear and transfer case in neutral. SOMEHOW while being pulled at 65mph it dropped into low range. Tranny was in third gear. I did the math and if the ties were spinning (probably not because the jerk and smoke was what caught his attention) but if it had been able to spin the tires it would have been turning the engine at around 18,000 RPM. No....It did not survive this. __________________ Grim-Reaper 70 Pontiac LeMans Sport Convertible, worlds longest resto in progress Looking for 71-72 2wd Blazer or Jimmy Project

08-21-2003, 03:45 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Aren't the tires on a 4x4 wider apart? You may have problems if they are.

08-21-2003, 07:32 PM	#9
chevy_fatman Where's my beer? Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I live in the state of denial.... Posts: 5,621	I believe that 4x4's are wider on the front, if so, you might want to get skinnier tires for the front, that wouldn't be necesary if you get a dolly wide enough, wider is better. __________________ Paul How do you make the invisible, visible?.........You take it away.

08-21-2003, 08:07 PM	#10
Class of 69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stillwater MN Posts: 1,166	Pull the driveshaft!! To lock the steering wheel..take a length of 3/8 ths rope about 4 feet long...make a loop and wrap it around wheel at the spoke ..hold the two loose ends out to the windshield, and close the door. __________________ 69 GMC K10 ..some restoration required....still..



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.