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Backwards on a tow dolly

9K views 14 replies 8 participants last post by  TexasA&MOffRoad 
#1 ·
OK, I'm renting a tow dolly for the trip to attica, about 7-8 hours, is it advisable, if needed, to tow it backwards? Its not so I dont have to disconnect the D-Shaft, Just basicly cause of the welded rear, or should it be fine? Any opinions, or knowledge on this? Oh, and by chance something in the back breaks there I can get it home that way. Dont plan on it happening, but ya never know.

 
#2 ·
hey man, i own a tow dolly, had to tow one backwards one time. not a fun experience for me. lock on steering didnt have the tires centered exactly. kept throwing me all over the road. couldnt go over 45mph. if it were me, id just put it on there in standard form, if something pukes out then worry bout putting it on there backwards. dont think you will have probs cause of the welded rear. would hope not anyways. would pull the rear shaft just in case though.
just my opinion.
BiLLy bOb


Do unto others as you want done to you!
If you pack it in, pack it out!
 
#4 ·
I use to tow my drag car on a tow dolly backwards to reduce wear on my slicks and to prevent exploding my tranny if it should happen to pop into gear at 60mph. You have to lock the steering column straight by using a strap or some other means. The steering column usually will now lock straight forward for theft reasons.

87' Samurai sitting on jack stands in driveway under construction… stay tuned.
 
#5 ·
i agree with zoomy . I used drive tow truck and if your going to tow backwards make sure the whels are straight and that you tie the wheel down with your seatbelt so that if the lock ( ? ) doesnt hold at least it will still go straight. towed one to many stolen cars to know this.

SIZE DOES MATTER 85 LWB 31'S LINCOLN LOCKER RR,CTR FORCE DUAL FRICTION, CUSTOM BUMBERS & GAS TANK PLATE, SPOA BOBBED 6 INCHES CUSTOM SPORT CAP
 
G
#6 ·
Just load it the right way and go. i have hauled mine like that for 250 miles no problem. air the tires up to max pressure in the back and go. it will be fine. as far as you are towing i would disconnect the rear drive shaft and zip tie it up. but don't worry about the welded rear, it will be fine. i have 33x12.5 on mine and it towed great. later mike

zuks and toys
 
#7 ·
This is one question that I had floating around but didn't really need answered yet.

I would have preferred to get a flatbed, but don't have the room at my house for it. As it is, my dolly barely squeezes into the garage (single car, 11 feet wide, 30 feet long). I ended up getting a dolly from uhaul for $650.

I figured it's better than flat towing (don't have to worry about the tow vehicle going one way and the towed vehicle going the opposite way). Also if I happen to break something up front or in back I can still get it home.

Mark
1986 Suzuki Samurai soft-top
1999 Toyota Tacoma
http://members.home.net/marvinmartian
 
#8 ·
I would do what Mike suggests. The question was can you tow this way and the answer is yes, but the safest way is to tow it with the front wheels on the dolly. Disconnect the drive shaft.

87' Samurai sitting on jack stands in driveway under construction… stay tuned.
 
#9 ·
flat towing vs. tow dolly

why would using a tow dolly be better than flat towing? as far as i can tell, the only difference is that the front wheels arent turning.... if you dont dissconnect the rear shaft, both shafts will still be turning along with the tcase... where is the advantage?

Steve /wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif
'88 Suzuki Samurai
'99 Toyota Tacoma (Tow Vehicle)
bassmstr99@aol.com
Texas A&M Off-Road
FTAC of 2003
 
#12 ·
Re: flat towing vs. tow dolly

i dont know about ya'll, but i flat tow all over the place and ive never had a problem with the zook turning the opposite way than my truck... do you lock the steering wheel somehow when you put it on a tow dolly? seems like you wouldnt want to do that in order for it to pull correctly due to it still haveing four wheels on the ground (rear zook wheels and front dolly wheels)...

ive had the unfortunate experience of having to back up while flat towing... i was at a gas station getting ready to pull in to put gas in my zook and some idiot decided to go around me, forcing me to change directions slightly... couldnt go forward unless i wanted to take the pump with me, so i had to back up... thankfully it was only a few feet, still not fun though

Steve /wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif
'88 Suzuki Samurai
'99 Toyota Tacoma (Tow Vehicle)
bassmstr99@aol.com
Texas A&M Off-Road
FTAC of 2003
 
#13 ·
Re: flat towing vs. tow dolly

The dolly that I have has the vehicle's wheels sitting in a tray that pivots. It helps allow the rear wheels to track better when making sharp turns. The dolly wheels are kept tracking just like any other trailer. I can actually make a fairly sharp turn while towing.

When using the dolly I was told that I should lock the steering wheel. I'm not sure if that's just because the dolly allows the vehicle to pivot or not.

Mark
1986 Suzuki Samurai soft-top
1999 Toyota Tacoma
http://members.home.net/marvinmartian
 
#14 ·
Re: flat towing vs. tow dolly

Thanks for all your Opinions, I am going to do it with the front on, and disconnect the DS, that I knew already, Just wanted insite on doing it backwards, and for why I'm using a dolly and not a tow bar, my tow bar sits to high for my friends hitch. No other choice. Its a factory hitch and non adjustable.
 
#15 ·
Re: flat towing vs. tow dolly

yeah, makes sence that the dolly allows the front wheels to pivot... but as long as the turning radius on the zook is smaller than the tow vehicle (dont know of any tow vehicle that would have a smaller turning radius than a samurai), then sharp turns shouldnt be a problem... i make sharp turns, uturns, wide turns, whatever, and i dont ever have a problem...

Steve /wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif
'88 Suzuki Samurai
'99 Toyota Tacoma (Tow Vehicle)
bassmstr99@aol.com
Texas A&M Off-Road
FTAC of 2003
 
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