Is the front bumper mount on frame strong enough to tow?

[GoldHawg]

I'd like to be able to fab up a tow attachment to the frame to tow my GN next summer (it needs full resto). I'll just pull the driveshaft and tow it. I looked at all the G-bodies where the bumper mounts to the frame (w/4 bolts) and the metal looks pretty wimpy, even with the four bolts. Afraid that might not be strong enough to use. I'd planned on pulling the front bumper and mounting my fabbed tow bracket to the front of the frame using all four bolts to spread out the load.

thoughts on the strength of towing from the front frame like this? I'll be going almost 1000 miles...

thx

 

[BlackMetal]

Check into this, maybe it'll give you an idea or purchase it:
T-R FRONT TOW BRACKET AND HOOK

 

[TurboMonte 2]

Check into this, maybe it'll give you an idea or purchase it:
T-R FRONT TOW BRACKET AND HOOK

This is designed for pulling/loading only (30 ft max trip)--he's interested in a 1000 mile trip (pulling car & car pushing tow vehicle too--while stopping/slowing-down...

GoldHawg--What's wrong with using a towing dolly??--(or do you just have the urge to fab something yourself?)

 

[aminga]

The frame horns from the suspension pickup to the bumper mounts are basically unsupported in a collision they always fold. It may hold but why risk it.

 

[49-blues]

I towed mine 105 miles with the one u-haul sells-it bolts to the brackets-no problems whatsoever.

 

[breiter]

Rent a trailer. Why drag it 1000 miles.

 

[49-blues]

that would be letting it Roll VS. Dragging.

 

[GoldHawg]

As for tow dollies, I found it can get a bit squirrelly towing something w/those. As for the trailer, I don't have a big SUV to handle the add'l weight; my minivan rated to tow 3800lbs w/trailer tow group. I've had good luck towing my 71 Cutlass on all fours, but I've got a fairly substantial frame mounting tab...

but good to know someone has been successful.

 

[QUIP'6']

towing is bad for rear wheel drive cars. its bad for the tail end of the tranny for a long trip

 

[TurboMonte 2]

towing is bad for rear wheel drive cars. its bad for the tail end of the tranny for a long trip

One of his procedures, already stated, is to pull driveshaft...

 

[TurboMonte 2]

As for tow dollies, I found it can get a bit squirrelly towing something w/those. As for the trailer, I don't have a big SUV to handle the add'l weight; my minivan rated to tow 3800lbs w/trailer tow group. I've had good luck towing my 71 Cutlass on all fours, but I've got a fairly substantial frame mounting tab...

but good to know someone has been successful.

1st, I'd guess that towing anything, any-metnod, over 2000# behind a minivan could be squirrelly--regardless of "3800# tow rating" listed...Yes, with the extra 600-800# weight of the dolly you'd certainly be well over your total tow wt. rating...:frown:

Now, if you're towing a vehicle backwards on a dolly (a def. no-no for weight distribution), you would definitely expect squirrels to appear... Some try this, as a matter of convenience (against all warnings & good-sense), for rear-drive cars to avoid tranny probs--but then seem surprised by the appearance of squirrels...

You can definitely count on 5-6 emergency-type situations to appear during your long trip out west & I would definitely not want to be in a highly-compromised safety position with a ticking time-bomb behind me/my family...

I do want to wish you the best of good-luck for your relocation/trip/vehicle transport--regardless of method chosen...

 

[49-blues]

I towed mine on all 4 wheels with a 3.3 dodge grand caravan with no issues keep it in 3rd gear on the highway with the towbar-if you want to borrow it-Matt 347-680-8642.

 

[Grumpy]

ahhhhh..towing with a nice "lite" truck .. white knuckle drive

 

[QUIP'6']

One of his procedures, already stated, is to pull driveshaft...

oops sorry thats what i get for not reading fully