I have a non diesel related question. My 21 yr old daughter and family are moving from Texas to Seattle in a couple weeks. She asked me a question today that I really had no answer for. They have an early 2000 Ford Taurus, and some kind of BMW that isn't running right now. She wanted to know if they could put a hitch on the Taurus, and tow the bimmer (its a 5 speed). I know they can tow a small U-Haul type trailer, but another car is a whole different ball of wax. Anyone have any experience with something like this?

 

They will be lucky to get there with a taurus without towing another car. The taurus might pull it if the transmission holds out, but I do not think it will stop it very good.

 

That's my gut feeling also. I might have to convince them to rent a U-haul or even sell the BMW.

 

U-haul will be pricey, but a much better option than towing with the taurus. Selling it is a good idea, why haul a dead horse across the country? The third option is to fix the BMW and drive it.

 

If the BMW is a must, try a u-ship ad and let some other person get it there....

 

they will have two dead cars..

 

If she really has to take the BMW and is willing to pay the fuel and hotels I’ll haul it. Just got a new truck and am inching to see how it will do. No profit just the expenses, she gets the car and my wife and I get a trip with the new truck. I have a 35’ gooseneck.
Where in Texas is she located?

 

That's a heck of an offer! If she ends up doing it, I'm sure I'll be the one paying you - they dont have much from what I can tell.
She's in Waco.

I'm going to first try to convince her to get the car fixed - its gotta happen eventually, so might as well be now. I'm trying to find a reputable repair person to give her.

 

They could tow the bimmer using a tow dolly rather than putting it on a trailer, but it sure would play havoc on the Tarus. Probablyt would be two dead cars at the end of the trail.

I'd get the bimmer repaired if I could. If not, sell it. But I would not think about towing it with a Tarus. Two up on a flatbed would make more sense or towing behind a U-Haul truck on a trailer or two dolly.

How are they moving the household goods? If they are moving them? Maybe they have not gotten past moving the car and thinking about moving their stuff?

CD

 

They are trying to sell off all their furniture, so basically all they will have is the two cribs and thier clothes. Not sure why they are choosing that route. Might be due to finances (cost of renting a U-Haul). I'll try to pry more into that when I talk to her this afternoon.

I spoke with her fiance this morning, and they were considering trading it off on a pickup. I really need to talk to the boy - he calls me "sir" all the time, and that really makes me feel old!

Man, this being a Grandpa thing is starting to bring back some memories of when I was that age. Amazing the things we take for granted at that age.
We were looking around the house this morning at all the baby proofing we are going to have to do.....

 

There is NO WAY you could legally haul a BMW with a Taurus. The BMW is going to weigh 4000# or more, the Taurus is rated for what, maybe 3500#. Not to mention unless you use a dolly with brakes(which means installing a brake controller in the Taurus) you'll never be able stop it in a safe manner.

However that being said, I've seen stupider things on the road.....

 

Just a heads up about Uhaul. They have some pretty strict guidelines about what they allow to be done with their equipment. Look here. Like the others who have posted, I think you will be stretching it using the Taurus as a tow vehicle on that long a trip.

 

was at the tire place that rents u hauls and they will not rent a dolly to anybody unless what they are towing with will do the job right and safe. they wouldnt rent one to a guy with a 1/2 ton p/u to tow another truck

 

Even pulling a little U-Haul trailer with a Taurus is way too much. Plus those things will bottom out the rear suspension if you put too many bags of groceries in the back seat.

 

This video came to mind when I read the title to the post :