Anyone flat tow their car?

[John Larkin]

I've considered buying a trailer but after weighing the costs of registration, storage space, and winches for loading the car, I've pretty much settled on flat towing it. I am curious how to fabricate brackets so I can hook up a run-of-the-mill tow bar to the car. I really don't trust the bolts that hook the bumper isolator to the frame as an attachment point. I'm guessing that a bracket will have to be made that is welded to the frame and I'll likely need a front bumper that I can hack up to run it through. It will need safety chains also so it doesn't come loose and pass me on the way to the track too. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Addicted2boost]

Hey Bud,

If you contact "Fredrick's Racing" , I'm sure he'll be able to help you out.

 

[1ARUNEM]

Don't do it.. Buy a trailer.. I'm sure you have a Cummins at your disposal to pull with.

And why would you need a winch to load? You plan on tearing it up that often??

 

[Chris Taylor]

Believe me there will be more than enough people willing to push your car on the trailer if you brake. I know this for a fact.

 

[topfuel]

I just went in on a trailer with my friend, bought it used for
$500 bucks.
After a fresh coat of paint, four new tires, new lights and
wire harness, registration, storage and insurance,
we've got about $1000 invested.
I had to borrow a tow vehicle from a friend and used it
yesterday to go racing, its way cool to have the piece of
mind knowing I can get the Buick home safely if something
goes wrong.
I'm not sure about flat towing, is that good for the trans??
I saw a guy yesterday with a 2 wheel dolly, he towed his
Camaro on the rear wheels, but removed his driveshaft
prior to towing. Looked like a pain in the azz

 

[Hawaiian Turbo]

Flat towing is bad for the trans, no fluid being pumped through it unless you remove the driveshaft. (PITA) The other guy with Camaro should tow it with the rear wheels on the trailer, steering wheel tied for safety, and no need to remove the driveshaft.

HTH

Paul

 

[lazaris]

You need to buy a set of floating hubs for the rear. Then you bolt on the stock tires. This way you dont spin the rear or trans etc.

 

[TurboDave]

Just to reiterate. GET A TRAILER!! You can't flat tow unless you remove the driveshaft. Think about that one for a few minutes.....After a long day at the track, are you going to enjoy crawling under the car to pull the drive shaft out????
Trust me, the trailer will pay for its self on the first trip just in piece of mind.

Just get a cheapy tandem axle open hauler (about $1200 brand new, much less $$ used).
You don't need a winch. If you brake it only takes a few people to get it up on the trailer.

Check out the link in my sig. Go to the Grand National photo album, and in there, there's a picture of my cheapy trailer. Came with a dovetail rear end, and surge brakes (don't even have to have electric brake hookups), all for 1200.

 

[John Larkin]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have time to think this over since track season is pretty much done. R & I-ing the driveshaft is no biggie to me. I'd like a trailer but I'd have to store it in the backyard which means dead grass, using the riding mower to bring it up front to use, etc. That would be more of a PIA than the driveshaft. Food for thought anyhow.

 

[Dave Simpkins]

Towing

I flat towed to St.Thomas (London Motorsport Park) in mid '90's for about 2 and a half seasons. From home to track... 1 and a half to 2 hours depending on traffic. I had a simple "T" bar made from 2" square tube ... the top of the "T" webbing wrapped to the front bumper and frame, the long part of the "T" had a ball hitch for the truck bumper. All told, took about 15 minutes to prep. for towing, and less to disconnect.

I towed with a 86 Nissan King Cab Pick-up, 5 spd, 4 banger- on the 401 at over 60 miles per hour there and back. ... NO PROBLEM. Disconnected drive shaft and tossed in the p/u with tools, tires, race fuel, air pig, jack stands, kids, camping gear, beer etc ...... Made for a bit of security knowing that if I broke at the track, I'd still get car and all home.

Those were good times and sure didn't cost much.

ds

 

[John Larkin]

Thank you Dave. Now that's what I'm talking about. However, how did the T bar attach to the frame itself? I want to use something with safety chains also so it doesn't get away from me worst case. Did it go under the bumper and airdams then up to the frame?

 

[lazaris]

You do not need to remove the drive shaft if you get a set of floating hubs for the rear.. Then you can bolt on any tire to tow and the axels wont turn, just the floating hubs. You then remove them when you get to the track and bolt on your slicks.

 

[John Larkin]

Where do you get these hubs? I did a search on the 'net and couldn't find anything.

 

[machinegun]

I would buy a trailer. One if you have a nicer car it will get sand blasted behind the tow vehicle. You do not need a winch. It is nice but not needed. Last explode the rear end and you will not be towing it home. All this considered, driving onto the trailer and strapping it down and going is not hard and the comfort zone is what I like. No switching tires as you can put it on the trailer with slicks. You do not have to drop the drive shaft. A little dead grass is fine to me. Move it around if that concerns you.