Want to flat tow (4 wheels on the ground with tow bar) a car that has power steering. Will the front wheels of the towed car follow when turning a corner? Or will the power steering have too much resistance to turning? Anyone done this?
Flat Towing Question
- Thread starter SuperSam
- Start date
Dako
Well-Known Member
With the engine turned off, I can jack my front end off the ground and turn the wheels back and forth using my hands. Requires a bit of grunt due to the resistance of the static power steering, but I can do it. They will still follow.
conradsalvage
Active Member
yes,,, I did it all the time when i was a kid,,, using a uhaul clamp on tow bar,,, the car will follow unless you turn sharp and hit a bump or something like that... pull the driveshaft,, you cant tow very far or fast with it hooked up. I still have that tow bar,,, but havnt used it in years... I prefer using a dolly now,,, its much safer
good luck
mike
good luck
mike
- Local time
- 9:51 PM
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2013
- Messages
- 8,050
- Reaction score
- 3,463
- Location
- Mascoutah, Illinois
I have a tow bar somewhere too that I bought at a pawn shop years ago. I hauled several cars 800 miles between TX and IL years ago when I was stationed down in Wichita Falls, TX. Once on a long drive across Oklahoma on 44 I forgot the car was back there and about had a heart attack when I saw a car right on my ***! I was pulling a 68 RR with a 67 Chrysler 300. Man that 300 was nice.
On cars w/o engines / weight on the front end I used to tie a rope from the steering wheel to the brake or clutch pedals to limit how far the wheel would turn to prevent the wheel going hard right or hard left on sharper turns and getting in a bind. I don't remember having to do that on a car w/ an engine though.
On cars w/o engines / weight on the front end I used to tie a rope from the steering wheel to the brake or clutch pedals to limit how far the wheel would turn to prevent the wheel going hard right or hard left on sharper turns and getting in a bind. I don't remember having to do that on a car w/ an engine though.
daytona kid
Well-Known Member
I used to tow one of my RR drag cars to the track like that, it didn't have power steering but I think that might help keep any unwanted stuff from going on. Mine would turn all the way to the stops going in driveways and such, causing it to drag the turned to far wheels, so I roped the steering wheel as needed. Other than that no problems.
Ryguytoodry
Well-Known Member
I know it's been said multiple times already, but make sure you pull that driveshaft, don't be lazy about it. **** will seize, break, blah blah blah. Just do it.
dsd1967
Well-Known Member
I flat towed a 67 belvedere with power steering 750 miles two years ago....no problems at all. It towed so nice that I hardly knew it was back there. Watch the sharp turns....if too sharp you the wheels will follow, but eventually you will slide them because you have exceeded the vehicle's turn radius....and by all means pull the driveshaft on an auto car.
You can get a tow bar kit at Autozone for around $100, but it must be bolted to the vehicle. I was able to modify my kit to line up with the bumper bolts and didn't have to drill the bumper. Years ago, U-haul would rent a "universal" tow bar that clamped onto the bumper but I don't think they do that anymore.
You can get a tow bar kit at Autozone for around $100, but it must be bolted to the vehicle. I was able to modify my kit to line up with the bumper bolts and didn't have to drill the bumper. Years ago, U-haul would rent a "universal" tow bar that clamped onto the bumper but I don't think they do that anymore.
daytona kid
Well-Known Member
I made some 1/4" thick plates that bolted where the bumper bolted and hung down a few inches and L-ed forward (barely visible), leaving the bumper in place also, then had some big hitch pins to hold the tow-bar on. Made a tow-bar out of some thick angle iron, welded on a hitch, added some safety chains and away to the drag strip I went.
Similar threads
