will it tow? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

zooza · 10-12-2004, 04:34 PM

Ok, you know how the winniebago people tow stuff behind their rigs? can i tow my roller frame behind my s10? it should( i just dont want to spend time trailering it when i could tow it!)

LUV2XCLR8 · 10-12-2004, 04:47 PM

I Don't See Why Not, Need To Lock The Steering, Other Than That, You Bet Cha.

**StingRay** · 10-12-2004, 05:01 PM

Lock the steering? I don't think so. He'd have a rude awakening the first corner he took. The steering will just follow along by itself if it is anywhere near being aligned.

jay6891 · 10-12-2004, 05:01 PM

I tried to tow mine one time and all I had was frame and stripped cab. Front wheels won't track right due to no weight. Had to stop many times and kick the tires straight. might be able to do it with the column locked but as I said stripped cab. How far are you pulling and how busy is the street?

68w/sbc406 · 10-12-2004, 05:10 PM

call AAA and say your truck broke down and you need a tow

grayw0lf · 10-12-2004, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68w/sbc406

call AAA and say your truck broke down and you need a tow

You can't do that!

AAA only covers the first few miles, then you have to pay something like $2-3/mile.

It almost defeats the purpose of having AAA.

LUV2XCLR8 · 10-12-2004, 05:50 PM

IF IT WON'T TRACK RIGHT WITH EM LOCKED

AND IT WON'T TRACK RIGHT WITH EM LOOSE

PULL IT BACKWARDS, MAYBE WITH EM LOOSE THEY WILL TRACK

68w/sbc406 · 10-12-2004, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grayw0lf

You can't do that!

AAA only covers the first few miles, then you have to pay something like $2-3/mile.

It almost defeats the purpose of having AAA.

i had my truck towed 20 miles from where i was working to my house and it didnt cost a dime. and it wasnt even my account!!! i think it has something to do with freeway miles versus surface street miles.
P.S. i was being funny

zooza · 10-12-2004, 05:58 PM

Im gonna fabricate a tow BAR not a chain so that should force the wheels to track...,.. right? Like the blue haired weinerbago drivers with the camry in tow! get it? LOL

zooza · 10-12-2004, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68w/sbc406

i had my truck towed 20 miles from where i was working to my house and it didnt cost a dime. and it wasnt even my account!!! i think it has something to do with freeway miles versus surface street miles.
P.S. i was being funny

It was funny!

68w/sbc406 · 10-12-2004, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zooza

Im gonna fabricate a tow BAR not a chain so that should force the wheels to track...,.. right? Like the blue haired weinerbago drivers with the camry in tow! get it? LOL

one of my dads friends tried to hook a tow bar (was a triangle shape) to his 89 chev and tow it behind his motor home and they took it for a test drive and the first corner it sheered off and the truck went straight. thank god they were smart enough to have some one in the truck or else it would have gone into someones house.
thanks for realizing the humor zooza

cableguy0 · 10-12-2004, 06:04 PM

if you dont lock the steering the wheels will follow through the first turn and thats it then it will start skidding because the front wheels are stuck turned lock the steering otherwise you will be in for a rude awakening

zooza · 10-12-2004, 06:17 PM

this is just tooooo technical. dammit why is nothing simple! it sounds simple doesnt it?

*botboy* · 10-12-2004, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grayw0lf

You can't do that!

AAA only covers the first few miles, then you have to pay something like $2-3/mile.

It almost defeats the purpose of having AAA.

If you have a platinum account, first 200 miles are covered for free. The cost of the tow beyond that is decided by who is doing the towing.

When I bought my '72, we had brought a car dolley to pull it home, and realized the truck was too wide for the dolley (guy didn't tell us it was for compact cars or something...). So we pulled the truck out of the impound lot, dragged it down a highway, called AAA and they dispatched a flatbed for me.

The problem with doing that now is twofold (maybe I forced a rule change...?). First, the vehicle has to be registered in your name, and second the vehicle has to have current tabs. Fool me once....you know the rest...

vtblazer · 10-12-2004, 06:38 PM

I guess I'd just trailer it...

LUV2XCLR8 · 10-12-2004, 06:49 PM

U-haul Tow Dolly

Longhorn Man · 10-12-2004, 06:55 PM

I've used a tow bar many times with no problems.
The only time I had problems was when I locked the wheels in what was left of the first longhorn on it's way to the junk yard. All that was on it was a bed full of dead batterys, twisted metal, and asorted junk I didn't want to take on a 1200 mile move. no cab, no engine, tranny, nothing at all but a cab, suspention and a bed filled with crap.
Just as said, when I took a corner, all it did was try to go straight and jack knife me. I even had a cab and a bunch of tools and a 400 small block in the back of my truck (the towing truck) If I slowed down to 5 MPH or less, it would drag the frame around the corner, any faster, and the frame would drag me to the curb. A couple times I thought I was actually going to jack knife and be stuck in the middle of the intersections. Even on the main road...fairly straight with a couple light curves, if I got over 35, the sucker would start trying to spin me out.
Same truck towing, same tow bar, but with an 88 ford Ranger extended cab(12 miles)...or when i towed my aunts 87 S-10 (150 miles) or when i junked the 92 S-10 Blazer a couple years ago(12 miles)...no problems what so ever. all columns unlocked.
Same tow bar, towed my 69 GMC with the aformentioned cab, tools and spare engine, behind a 25 foot big block moving van...unlocked column, literally couldn't tell it was there.
Same tow bar, hauled the one ton Longhorn from PA 430 miles to here with an 87 K/5 blazer. That trip posed a few problems, but that's becouse the K/5 has such a short wheel base and weighs about the same as longhorn, which is probably almost twice the wheel base. But still...unlocked columnm, no problem.

The only vehicle I have ever seen that needs to have the column locked is the second generation F body cars...camaros and Trans Ams/Firebirds...70 - 81. For some reason I have seen ppl tow them....about 3 of them over the years, and when you try to turn left, the camaro would try to go right.

Longhorn Man · 10-12-2004, 06:56 PM

Oh, this isn't even getting to all the hummers and duce & 1/2 trucks...5 ton and 10 ton cargo trucks I've towed....with tow bars...and then all the tanks I towed with tow bars...but they don't quite steer the same huh?

68w/sbc406 · 10-12-2004, 07:05 PM

i think that longhorn man has towed a thing or two

crazy longhorn · 10-12-2004, 08:07 PM

Lock the front wheels on that roller! it will slide the corners, but go easy.....if you dont lock em, you will know why you should have! i towed a complete wrecked chevy van (mid 70's) behind a jeep wagoneer. the front wheels were locked, cause the steering shaft was broken.....401/4brl, that freakin jeep would pull a mountain, but the van would not follow without the steering locked

I have towed several lite , or no eng vehichles....LOCK THE WHEELS! I will say that one more time LOCK THE WHEELS......just go easy on the turns! best of luck,crazyL

zooza · 10-12-2004, 11:20 PM

why was my post moved? Its a 72 chev lwb frame . No reason to shift away from my buds in the 67-72 forum. I could see if i was talkin about moving a pinto or even a impala y'know.

79Silv4x4 · 10-12-2004, 11:39 PM

Locking the wheels shouldn't be a problem should it? should tow kinda like a trailer, right??

Longhorn Man · 10-13-2004, 12:03 AM

trailers don't have 127 inch wheel base.
Imagine you picking up the tounge of a large trailer. Walk it down the driveway and turn the trailer into a garage. Other than the weight, it'll be no problem.
Now, take the bare rolling frame. lock the wheels. Grab the tow bar and push the frame down the driveway and TRY to turn it into the garage.
Ain't gonna happen.

72 CustomCamper · 10-13-2004, 01:04 AM

I'm with Andy, everything I've ever towed the steering was unlocked. We've had problems too with towing with the steering locked. My dad's been towing for 40 some years and never had a problem except when the steering was locked...

Chuck

jimfulco · 10-13-2004, 01:50 AM

If you use a tow bar, unlock the steering. The towed vehicle's wheels must be able to turn, or it will try to go straight. Tow bars have been around way longer than locking steering columns.

If you use one of those late-model tow bars that have the square main bar that mounts on top of the front bumper of the towed vehicle, be sure you tighten it up 2 or 3 times in the first mile or so, then again every once in a while. I used one & it was loose the first 3 or 4 times I checked it.

Does a '50 Buick count as a tank?

10-12-2004, 04:34 PM	#1
zooza Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: LINDEN, TN. Posts: 260	will it tow? Ok, you know how the winniebago people tow stuff behind their rigs? can i tow my roller frame behind my s10? it should( i just dont want to spend time trailering it when i could tow it!)

10-12-2004, 04:47 PM	#2
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,475	I Don't See Why Not, Need To Lock The Steering, Other Than That, You Bet Cha. __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

10-12-2004, 05:01 PM	#3
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,476	Lock the steering? I don't think so. He'd have a rude awakening the first corner he took. The steering will just follow along by itself if it is anywhere near being aligned. __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

10-12-2004, 05:01 PM	#4
jay6891 Car Knocker Join Date: May 2001 Location: jefferson,arkansas Posts: 664	I tried to tow mine one time and all I had was frame and stripped cab. Front wheels won't track right due to no weight. Had to stop many times and kick the tires straight. might be able to do it with the column locked but as I said stripped cab. How far are you pulling and how busy is the street? __________________ 68 c-10,91 sportside bed,350 .030 over,4 bolt,10-1 comp,2.05 intake/1.94 exhaust,1.6 Harland Sharp roller rockers,edelbrock rpm cam and intake w/750 carb, 700r4, 3.73 gears,Jacabbs Electronic Igntion w/Accel HEI distributer and super coil. ZR-1 roll pan, filled tailights. Blazer tank. Hidden hitch. 2 1/2" Flowmaster 40's. Parts bought but not installed>> ford 9" posi with disc. CCP front and rear lowering kit 4/5. Cab corners,foor boards,rockers, cab braces, Phatom grill, Painless wiring kit.

10-12-2004, 05:10 PM	#5
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	call AAA and say your truck broke down and you need a tow __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

10-12-2004, 05:50 PM	#7
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,475	IF IT WON'T TRACK RIGHT WITH EM LOCKED AND IT WON'T TRACK RIGHT WITH EM LOOSE PULL IT BACKWARDS, MAYBE WITH EM LOOSE THEY WILL TRACK __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

10-12-2004, 05:58 PM	#9
zooza Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: LINDEN, TN. Posts: 260	Im gonna fabricate a tow BAR not a chain so that should force the wheels to track...,.. right? Like the blue haired weinerbago drivers with the camry in tow! get it? LOL

10-12-2004, 06:04 PM	#12
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	if you dont lock the steering the wheels will follow through the first turn and thats it then it will start skidding because the front wheels are stuck turned lock the steering otherwise you will be in for a rude awakening __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

10-12-2004, 06:17 PM	#13
zooza Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: LINDEN, TN. Posts: 260	this is just tooooo technical. dammit why is nothing simple! it sounds simple doesnt it?

10-12-2004, 06:38 PM	#15
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Tow or not to Tow I guess I'd just trailer it...

10-12-2004, 06:49 PM	#16
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,475	U-haul Tow Dolly __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

10-12-2004, 06:55 PM	#17
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I've used a tow bar many times with no problems. The only time I had problems was when I locked the wheels in what was left of the first longhorn on it's way to the junk yard. All that was on it was a bed full of dead batterys, twisted metal, and asorted junk I didn't want to take on a 1200 mile move. no cab, no engine, tranny, nothing at all but a cab, suspention and a bed filled with crap. Just as said, when I took a corner, all it did was try to go straight and jack knife me. I even had a cab and a bunch of tools and a 400 small block in the back of my truck (the towing truck) If I slowed down to 5 MPH or less, it would drag the frame around the corner, any faster, and the frame would drag me to the curb. A couple times I thought I was actually going to jack knife and be stuck in the middle of the intersections. Even on the main road...fairly straight with a couple light curves, if I got over 35, the sucker would start trying to spin me out. Same truck towing, same tow bar, but with an 88 ford Ranger extended cab(12 miles)...or when i towed my aunts 87 S-10 (150 miles) or when i junked the 92 S-10 Blazer a couple years ago(12 miles)...no problems what so ever. all columns unlocked. Same tow bar, towed my 69 GMC with the aformentioned cab, tools and spare engine, behind a 25 foot big block moving van...unlocked column, literally couldn't tell it was there. Same tow bar, hauled the one ton Longhorn from PA 430 miles to here with an 87 K/5 blazer. That trip posed a few problems, but that's becouse the K/5 has such a short wheel base and weighs about the same as longhorn, which is probably almost twice the wheel base. But still...unlocked columnm, no problem. The only vehicle I have ever seen that needs to have the column locked is the second generation F body cars...camaros and Trans Ams/Firebirds...70 - 81. For some reason I have seen ppl tow them....about 3 of them over the years, and when you try to turn left, the camaro would try to go right. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 10-12-2004 at 08:16 PM.

10-12-2004, 06:56 PM	#18
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Oh, this isn't even getting to all the hummers and duce & 1/2 trucks...5 ton and 10 ton cargo trucks I've towed....with tow bars...and then all the tanks I towed with tow bars...but they don't quite steer the same huh?

10-12-2004, 07:05 PM	#19
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	i think that longhorn man has towed a thing or two __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

10-12-2004, 08:07 PM	#20
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	Lock the front wheels on that roller! it will slide the corners, but go easy.....if you dont lock em, you will know why you should have! i towed a complete wrecked chevy van (mid 70's) behind a jeep wagoneer. the front wheels were locked, cause the steering shaft was broken.....401/4brl, that freakin jeep would pull a mountain, but the van would not follow without the steering locked I have towed several lite , or no eng vehichles....LOCK THE WHEELS! I will say that one more time LOCK THE WHEELS......just go easy on the turns! best of luck,crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....



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10-12-2004, 11:20 PM	#21
zooza Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: LINDEN, TN. Posts: 260	why was my post moved? Its a 72 chev lwb frame . No reason to shift away from my buds in the 67-72 forum. I could see if i was talkin about moving a pinto or even a impala y'know.

10-12-2004, 11:39 PM	#22
79Silv4x4 Workaholic Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 1,589	Locking the wheels shouldn't be a problem should it? should tow kinda like a trailer, right??

10-13-2004, 12:03 AM	#23
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	trailers don't have 127 inch wheel base. Imagine you picking up the tounge of a large trailer. Walk it down the driveway and turn the trailer into a garage. Other than the weight, it'll be no problem. Now, take the bare rolling frame. lock the wheels. Grab the tow bar and push the frame down the driveway and TRY to turn it into the garage. Ain't gonna happen.

10-13-2004, 01:04 AM	#24
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,369	I'm with Andy, everything I've ever towed the steering was unlocked. We've had problems too with towing with the steering locked. My dad's been towing for 40 some years and never had a problem except when the steering was locked... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

10-13-2004, 01:50 AM	#25
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	If you use a tow bar, unlock the steering. The towed vehicle's wheels must be able to turn, or it will try to go straight. Tow bars have been around way longer than locking steering columns. If you use one of those late-model tow bars that have the square main bar that mounts on top of the front bumper of the towed vehicle, be sure you tighten it up 2 or 3 times in the first mile or so, then again every once in a while. I used one & it was loose the first 3 or 4 times I checked it. Does a '50 Buick count as a tank?

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