Towing Advice

[Chris]

It’s been a long time since I did a long tow and am looking for advice. We’ll be towing our ‘99 Acura (fwd) over 2,000 miles next month. As our only car I don’t want to screw it up thus asking you guys based on experience. Right now I’m thinking a U-Haul box truck with a tow dolly. It’s been suggested that a vehicle trailer might to better.

What do you suggest?

[Jim]

It's front wheel drive and if the front's (connected to drivetrain & trans) will not be turning (at least on the dolly) and only the rears (dumb, independent wheels only) there's nothing to do except make sure you don't apply the parking brake.

Will you be "packing" the car? If yes, consider the full car trailer as the rear of the car (does it have a trailer hitch??) can be close to the ground (would a good bump / pothole be enough to have the rear of the car contact the ground)?

You want help loading?

[xaza]

It is virtually impossible to back up with a car on a tow dolly. A trailer would be easier to drive because it handles the same as your camper. It also reduces the chance to 0 that the car tires will need replaced when you get there.

[Patrolman]

Agreed. Backing up a tow dolly is basically impossible. If you think that you may need to back up at all, a trailer is the way to go. Otherwise there isn't a ton of difference. The trailer may tow a bit smoother, but I use my dolly to tow all the time.

[Jackie]

When we moved here, we rented a 10 ft UHaul truck and a car hauler for our mini-van. We filled that van from top to bottom with our "stuff" including our cat and parrot! Britton drove that and I followed in our pick-up. We used walkie talkies to communicate the whole way. When he needed a lane change, I moved into position and told him when safe to get in front of me. It worked out great. No issues at all with two sets of eyes!

[dscowell]

Towed my friend Camaro 700 miles on a dolly and it did fine. The only real suggestion with a dolly is check the ratchet straps that go over the tires. We drove it about 500 miles checked the straps they were pretty much loosened to the point where they weren't doing anything.

[Chris]

Thanks, six of one, hald dozen of the other is what I get from these. I can drive a couple thousand miles without reverse, but am wondering about tire wear per Cliff. Barb prefers a full trailer so I might just have to go that route after she proved to me yesterday our power steering was failing and that she knows what she’s talking about. “Next time listen when I say something’s leaking!”

Jackie, we’re doing a “starting over again” type move so the trailer will have mostly boxes and only 10 pieces of furniture, no animals, no kids, no worries.

[dieseldoc]

chris car trailer is the ideal. but that is dependent upon hauler as well. its a long trip, the full trailer should be better feel and maneuverability, thus less driver fatigue

[Chris]

A quick update - We ended up using the U-Haul and dolly for the car. Outside of blowing a dolly tire in a thousand pieces it was uneventful. As I was warned, backing up is virtually impossible but I found that it’s okay for short backups when someone parks too close in front of you. it I’d do it again the same way, alls well that ends well.