car tie-down question

[jeffsw6]

A friend asked if I can haul her car 15 miles from her house to a shop. I think she should just hire a tow/rollback truck for such a short move, but money is tight so I'd like to help if I can.

I am familiar with axle ratchet straps but not with how to tow front wheel drive cars that don't really have axles to tie onto. Should I buy some of those straps that go around the tires? I have heavy D-rings welded to the frame of my trailer for the hooks. I wouldn't mind owning the rigging I need for this in case I need to haul one of my own vehicles in the future.

 

[George2615]

I had the same problem of where to tie down / where to hook my chain to modern day cars. Then I bought a few of the pictured hooks. Modern day uni body cars do have small holes for attaching mini hooks. These hooks are small enough to go into the small holes on the sub frames of the newer cars then you can hook your chain and binder to them to tighten down. Or you can do as you mentions and buy straps that go over the tires.

 

[BillP603]

Yes, get a set of those "cluster hooks", makes it much easier to hook into slots in unibody cars, then your chain hooks can grab the ring. Not the easiest thing to find locally unless you are near a commercial towing supply shop, but plenty of places to buy them online.

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Cluster-Hooks-Truck-Wrecker-Hauler/dp/B0054HMFZM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1338207107&sr=8-2[/ame]

 

[CAgnoli]

For what you'll pay to outfit yourself to safely tow it, you could probably spring for the tow truck....

 

[Sterff]

I use this style on small vehicles...

 

[LD1]

I usually just loop the straps around the lower control arms. Dont know if it is the "proper" way, But I use 2 straps in the front, one around each control arm in the front, and one strap in the rear to the center support, looped over and angled to each side of the trailer. By center support I mean the center of the axle where the rear control arms both bolt to. Where the pumpkin would be if it were RWD.

I have never had a vehichle move or come loose. But again, I say that I dont know if this is the "proper way" because I think legally you are supposed to have 4 straps, but I dont know for sure.

 

[radioman]

For 15 miles, I'd just go look under neath the car and take a look. If there is towing hooks, I'd just tow the car without a trailer and have buddy in car and go slow. This should be fine as long there is not many turns and stops and just look ahead and learn how to coast to a stop without the brakes.

 

[LD1]

For 15 miles, I'd just go look under neath the car and take a look. If there is towing hooks, I'd just tow the car without a trailer and have buddy in car and go slow. This should be fine as long there is not many turns and stops and just look ahead and learn how to coast to a stop without the brakes.

If you go this route, be sure to read the manual. There are usually VERY SPECIFIC guidelines for towing with the drive wheels still on the ground so that you dont burn up the transmission. Thats why tow trucks usually try to tow with the drive wheels in the air. IF not, and you dont follow the procedure in the book, you can burn up a tranny since things inside can still be spinning, but without the motor running, the pump isnt pumping oil where it needs to be.

 

[WM75Guy]

If you go this route, be sure to read the manual. There are usually VERY SPECIFIC guidelines for towing with the drive wheels still on the ground so that you dont burn up the transmission. Thats why tow trucks usually try to tow with the drive wheels in the air. IF not, and you dont follow the procedure in the book, you can burn up a tranny since things inside can still be spinning, but without the motor running, the pump isnt pumping oil where it needs to be.

Excellent advice. The pump is the first thing off the input shaft after the torque converter. Next are the clutches, then the gears tied to the drive shaft. If the drive wheels are turning without the motor running, there is no fluid circulating thru the cooler but the gears are turning. Plan on rebuilding the tranny if you go any distance at speed. You will burn out the seals and bearings.

 

[LD1]

I do remember that there were a few older vehichles of "yester-year" that had TWO pumps. One off the tailshaft, and one off the engine. That was a good Idea and I wished they still had that today. The rear pump not only allowed towing without damage to the trans, but also allowed you to pull-start the vehichle like a manual:thumbsup: