Anyone have opinions/experience flat towing?
I need to go from KY to Iowa to pick up a 1/2 ton W100.
Renting u haul one way is 250$
Dragging an empty u haul there and bringing it back is 116$
Buying a cheap tow bar is ~ 100$ with lights.

I once flat towed a Hummer all the way down the coast of Australia without drama (other than a dozen flat tires) but it seems that there is a lot of warnings out there about flat towing (don't do it with a pickup or suv).

Opinions? Experiences? Donations?

 

if I didn't own a trailer, I'd beg/borrow/steal one before ever flat towing anything.

 

Which coast of Oz, idlemind? I'm guessing east?!

 

Some states won't permit it. Over X lbs you have to have brakes. It depends on the tow bar. The "strap to the bumper" ones are a wreck looking for a place to happen. The ones that are permanently mounted work well. How about a tow dolly? Rented one for a day for $40.

 

I've done some long distance flat towing. Hauled my 72 Cuda from Fort Sill home to Indiana (18 hours) with an 72 Torino. Somewhere along about the southern border of Indiana is a long down hill stretch with a curve to the right. I came over the top of the hill about 60mph and that Cuda started pushing. I started to get on the brakes and being in that curve it wanted to push the Torino sideways. Nothing I could do but get off the brakes and let it roll. Lucky it was a four lane and not much traffic because by the time we hit the bottom and started to slow down it was up to about 85mph and I had most of the upholstry sucked right off the seat. Same thing happened pulling a M880 with another M880 on a big ol' US Army regulation tow bar hooked into frame mounts and a pintle hitch. I think it's due to the towed vehicles front wheels being free to steer any direction they want. Most of the time they follow the tow vehicle...Most of the time.

I'd really try to find a trailer or at the least a dolly.

 

Some cars, trucks can not be towed that way unless the driveline is removed. Some tranny's and transfer cases do not oil them selves correctly. I am pretty sure some states do not allow that after dark as well, but I see motorhomes doing it all the time. My current Jeep wrangler project ( rust ball ) has a tow bar set up and was towed behind a camper I think.

 

hey-Hey!!!,
If it were me, go with a U-Haul dolly and remove the driveshaft at the rear pumpkin and strap it up out ov the way. Duct tape the u-joint cups well and don't loose the hardware...
cheers,
Douglas

 

Yep, east coast of Australia. Queensland, Cairns, Townsville, Brisbane.

Anyhow, I'm convinced. After listening to you all I would rather pay a little extra in fuel to pull an empty trailer one way but be safer on the trip back.

Project is going to end up a short bed, 4WD 1st gen, just something to beat around in.

 

put it on a trailer WITH BRAKES you never know whats around the corner or who will slam on the brakes in front of you ,be safe.