Two Wheel Car Towing?

Biggins · 10-13-2009, 08:21 AM

Has anyone had experience towing with a two-wheel car dolly? Growing up in western MD (near WV), I've seen all kinds of contraptions and "innovations" that people try to get a car from point A to point B. I cannot buy a trailer because I have nowhere to store one, but has anyone rented one of these two-wheel dollies to tow a vehicle. It would only be used to tow a -2400lb FWD car with at the very least a 05 Tundra.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-p...g-options2.htm

bren · 10-13-2009, 09:03 AM

I've never done it, and my only reservation would be with what happens if the car breaks and can't be towed home. (rear wheel bearing/axle/suspension failure, etc.)

ff · 10-13-2009, 09:33 AM

I would rent a full car trailer from u-Haul (or similar). The Tundra should be adequate for the task, I'd think. If I remember correctly, the empty trailer weighs a little over 2000 lbs.

*clyde* · 10-13-2009, 12:04 PM

Dollies can be fine for towing, but with their advantages come disadvantages as well as whole host of special considerations. An 05 Tundra shouldn't have any problems as long as it has the right tow package. A good friend used to tow a Z4 on a dolly with a FWD Impala as the tow vehicle for a couple years. Then he used the dolly to tow an RX-8 with a Crown Vic for a few more.

lupinsea · 10-13-2009, 01:18 PM

With the dolly you might have difficulty backing up (this was the case when I flat towed my Samurai to trailheads). So where ever you go it's likely to be forward only. Takes a little extra planning pulling into parking lots, gas stations, etc.

Ultimately it was really annoying.

Eventually my cousin and I built a trailer to tote the Samurai . . . SO much easier even though the trailer was based off of a 24 ft RV trailer. Despite the size it was much more manouverable.

As for potential damage limiting you from towing home? It's certainly a possibility. But what is the likelihood that the rear suspension / wheel bearing / tire has problems on a FWD car? And there is nothing to say that a trailer won't have a problem either whether from a flat tire to burned out bearings, etc.

How often will you be towing the car? Maybe it makes sense to rent a U-Haul car trailer a few times per year. If you're doing this once a month or several times per month for a good chunk of the year then maybe buy a trailer or dolly. If you get the trailer is there any reason you can't put the trailer in the same parking space as your car and then park the car on the trailer? (maybe put the trailer on jack stands so it's not resting on the tires and suspension).

kognito · 10-13-2009, 01:20 PM

If you rent one (or buy a used one, many on craig's list, then sell it when finished) Make sure you plan, and look ahead.

What I mean is that you can not tow backwards with these for more than a foot or two. I got screwed with one of these on the rear of a 32 foot Ryder truck, when I pulled down an unmarked dead end street. Had to stop and unhook everything while I made a K turn with the truck.

And common sense should tell you that you tow FWD front wheels up, and vice versa for RWD

kognito · 10-13-2009, 01:24 PM

Oh, and U haul puts stickers on the fenders telling you how fast you should tow . . .read the top speed on the trailer tire sidewall, and use that as golden rule.

Trailer tires are notorious for failing when run above rated speed!!!! and U haul does not spend money on good trailer tires!

This is a good point for anyone here that tows a boat, utility trailer, or what ever . . .don't exceed the speed rating on the tire!!!

Biggins · 10-13-2009, 01:51 PM

I'd need one no more than six times per year for a 60-70 mile round trip tow. I was planning to rent each time from U-Haul or some local trailer rental place.

Thanks for the heads up on all the scenarios I might face.

Nick M3 · 10-13-2009, 02:02 PM

Also, when you are dolly towing, the car has to be registered.

bren · 10-13-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lupinsea

But what is the likelihood that the rear suspension / wheel bearing / tire has problems on a FWD car?

Given that he's asked about rally-cross in the past, I'm assuming that is how the car will be used. I would just be apprehensive of bouncing an economy car around in a field and expecting it not break anything. Long shot? Maybe, but worth considering none the less.

10-13-2009, 08:21 AM	#1
Biggins Crotchety Join Date: Aug 2007 Carmudgeonly Ride: 22 Tiguan, 11 328i Posts: 912	Two Wheel Car Towing? Has anyone had experience towing with a two-wheel car dolly? Growing up in western MD (near WV), I've seen all kinds of contraptions and "innovations" that people try to get a car from point A to point B. I cannot buy a trailer because I have nowhere to store one, but has anyone rented one of these two-wheel dollies to tow a vehicle. It would only be used to tow a -2400lb FWD car with at the very least a 05 Tundra. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-p...g-options2.htm

10-13-2009, 12:04 PM	#4
clyde Chief title editor Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 26,599	Dollies can be fine for towing, but with their advantages come disadvantages as well as whole host of special considerations. An 05 Tundra shouldn't have any problems as long as it has the right tow package. A good friend used to tow a Z4 on a dolly with a FWD Impala as the tow vehicle for a couple years. Then he used the dolly to tow an RX-8 with a Crown Vic for a few more. __________________ OH NOES!!!!!1 MY CAR HAS T3H UND3R5T33R5555!!!!!!1oneone!!!!11 Team WTF?! What are you gonna do?

10-13-2009, 01:18 PM	#5
lupinsea Jeeped Join Date: Sep 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Modified Jeep Tj and '07 Miata Location: Seattle Posts: 10,214	With the dolly you might have difficulty backing up (this was the case when I flat towed my Samurai to trailheads). So where ever you go it's likely to be forward only. Takes a little extra planning pulling into parking lots, gas stations, etc. Ultimately it was really annoying. Eventually my cousin and I built a trailer to tote the Samurai . . . SO much easier even though the trailer was based off of a 24 ft RV trailer. Despite the size it was much more manouverable. As for potential damage limiting you from towing home? It's certainly a possibility. But what is the likelihood that the rear suspension / wheel bearing / tire has problems on a FWD car? And there is nothing to say that a trailer won't have a problem either whether from a flat tire to burned out bearings, etc. How often will you be towing the car? Maybe it makes sense to rent a U-Haul car trailer a few times per year. If you're doing this once a month or several times per month for a good chunk of the year then maybe buy a trailer or dolly. If you get the trailer is there any reason you can't put the trailer in the same parking space as your car and then park the car on the trailer? (maybe put the trailer on jack stands so it's not resting on the tires and suspension). __________________ . My website "Jeep is the only true American sports car" - Enzo Ferrari Or something to that effect.

10-13-2009, 01:20 PM	#6
kognito older fart than ZBB Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: On the road again Posts: 8,900	If you rent one (or buy a used one, many on craig's list, then sell it when finished) Make sure you plan, and look ahead. What I mean is that you can not tow backwards with these for more than a foot or two. I got screwed with one of these on the rear of a 32 foot Ryder truck, when I pulled down an unmarked dead end street. Had to stop and unhook everything while I made a K turn with the truck. And common sense should tell you that you tow FWD front wheels up, and vice versa for RWD __________________ 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 2020 Fusion Titanium

10-13-2009, 01:24 PM	#7
kognito older fart than ZBB Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: On the road again Posts: 8,900	Oh, and U haul puts stickers on the fenders telling you how fast you should tow . . .read the top speed on the trailer tire sidewall, and use that as golden rule. Trailer tires are notorious for failing when run above rated speed!!!! and U haul does not spend money on good trailer tires! This is a good point for anyone here that tows a boat, utility trailer, or what ever . . .don't exceed the speed rating on the tire!!! __________________ 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 2020 Fusion Titanium

10-13-2009, 09:03 AM	#2
bren lawn boy Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer Location: Maryland Posts: 14,029	I've never done it, and my only reservation would be with what happens if the car breaks and can't be towed home. (rear wheel bearing/axle/suspension failure, etc.)

10-13-2009, 09:33 AM	#3
ff . Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 13,514	I would rent a full car trailer from u-Haul (or similar). The Tundra should be adequate for the task, I'd think. If I remember correctly, the empty trailer weighs a little over 2000 lbs.

10-13-2009, 01:51 PM	#8
Biggins Crotchety Join Date: Aug 2007 Carmudgeonly Ride: 22 Tiguan, 11 328i Posts: 912	I'd need one no more than six times per year for a 60-70 mile round trip tow. I was planning to rent each time from U-Haul or some local trailer rental place. Thanks for the heads up on all the scenarios I might face.

10-13-2009, 02:02 PM	#9
Nick M3 Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 12,458	Also, when you are dolly towing, the car has to be registered. __________________ 2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo

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