Tow Dolly /Flat Tow

[nismou20]

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/5483266013.html

I saw this on CL today. Seems like a quick way to tow our cars without a tow bar on the vehicle. Im getting tired of taking the bumper off everytime I flat tow. Also easy stow in RV. I would definitely throw in a another set of chains for backup. I guess the Brits are tired of stranding their cars on the roadways. Made in UK.

[fj20spl311]

While I like the IDEA.

It will bend the lower control arms on many cars.

[fj20spl311]

The plans are on E-Bay.....LOL

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOWING-A-FRAME- ... 23649ccf54

[nismou20]

Phil, You may be right, I was thinking of butting up against lower A-frame but it may be compromised. It would probably work better on newer cars with beefier suspension components. I do like the idea of not having to mod the car.

[spl310]

You know, you could build a Base Plate and use a Blue Ox tow bar...

[fj20spl311]

Michael - Adds a sump protector to the frame of SR20 conversions that you could "kill two birds with one stone" by adding tabs for a tow bar.
I could not find a picture, buts is like a 1.5 x 1.5 square tubing welded to the bottom of the front cross-member.
here is a picture of a frame with one.

[mschel]

I see its a really old post but wondering if anyone has any working pictures of a similar tow dolly attachment that would clear front bumper but also allow enough upward angle to hook to a standard height f150 truck and go up and down hills without issue. Would make moving the car around easier. Ideal would be something that can be unbolted vs welded in.

I am also considering using beefed up bumper brackets and pulling the bumper.

The old ford gassers used a plate that attached to frame in stock bolt area for bumper but dropped it down. Maybe similar.

thanks.

[mschel]

These are the design for a 63 fairlane lightning AFX. Maybe something similar?

[redroadster]

What about the Trans damage though
If you have room to get at the diff after it's on the dolly

[ADR]

A cautious person would just pull the driveshaft out if it is a long haul. If not, warm her up before going for a short tow.

[Bwk2000]

There’s a Nissan service bulletin out that covers all manuals going back to the early ‘90s (and presumably applies the same back to our model years which were even more basic).

It indicated that it’s safe to flat-tow all manual transmission vehicles in neutral as long as you limit your speed to 60 mph and pull-over every 500 miles to start the engine for a few minutes (presumably to re-lubricate the internals by spinning the input shaft). That’s it.

I’ve never had any issues flat-towing a variety of manuals over the decades (even over longer distances). Just make sure the key is in the ignition and turned on to unlock the steering column and that you disconnect the battery and wrap the connectors (I always used bubble wrap & tape so it doesn’t scratch things), or just install a disconnect switch.

As for the roadsters, I always ended up having to remove the bumper for towing - There is zero room to spare. I don’t know how people do it with the bumper in place. The custom brackets and bars would kill the already low ground clearance. If someone has made this work, I would love to see a picture of how they did it.

[mschel]

It would just be to tow around the yard and if I ever raced it maybe to pull to pit etc. So all low speed. Do you have a picture of how you built the custom mounts? Just wondering on the clearance at bottom and also for it to angle up for hills or to attach to a truck.

[Bwk2000]

I was actually asking if anyone had a picture of THEIR custom brackets with the bumper still attached. I never did find a way to make that work.

[mschel]

I once saw a roadster on facebook marketplace where the guy had a bar sticking way out with the tow bar on that he was using to tow around the yard but I never saw the actual build of it unfortunately.

I was actually asking if anyone had a picture of THEIR custom brackets with the bumper still attached. I never did find a way to make that work.