Towing a parts car

[MrRocket]

Hey all, might have found a parts car I want to buy. It has some good parts on it and I might make my money back if I get it. Problem is it's an 8 hour drive away one way. I have a 1997 Dodge Dakota 4x4 with a 318 Automatic, I also have a car dolly that I'd use to pull it home. Anyone see any red flags with this plan? Never pulled anything that far before. I think the only problem I'm worried about is the brakes with such a big car(1974 Cutlass Supreme/w engine and trans.) What do you all think? What have you done before?

[Kev442]

Towed my '76 S home 6 hours with drivetrain in it with tow dolly and Bravada. It's all about leaving braking space, otherwise I just put it in gear and roll. The straps like to loosen up once, so I make sure to pull over at the 10 mile mark and retighten, then check every gas or food stop. Make sure the lugnuts on the parts car are tight too, I learned the hard way not to trust anyone's torquing but mine.

[MrRocket]

Sounds good. I'll make sure to check the lug nuts, thanks for the reply. :)

[rickman]

I've towed cars from FL, NY, AL, TN and anywhere in between. As the previous guy said, check the straps shortly after starting and then whenever you stop. I like to deflate the tires a little to help it stay on the dolly a little better. I also hook up a set of the magnetic lites on the trunklid to help the blind folks see a little better. And a big plus would be if you used a 3/4 ton truck. They have much better brakes and are geared for pulling, big difference between a 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton....

[MrRocket]

I have the magnetic lights. I don't think I have access to a bigger truck, I'd sure like to pull it home with a bigger truck. It would be a lot less stress. Thanks for the info.

[sumrof75]

Good advice posted for you, I have towed a Cutlass on dolly from New Mexico to KC with no problems. I used a Suburban, however, your shorter wheelbase could be a problem. Just dont be in a hurry and be aware of how the car is reacting behind you.

[MrRocket]

Just found out that my cousin has a truck and a trailer and is willing to make the trip with me. That's great news to me! I like the whole "bigger truck" idea and also company is great. I really appreciate the good advice. Now I just need to contact the owner of the car and work out the details.

[rickman]

That's great news. If he owns the trailer, he should know how to load it to keep it from walking. Last guy that borrowed my trailer didn't put the load on the tongue and the trailer walked across the median into oncoming traffic, totaled the truck he was hauling, $5k damage to his Explorer and bent the tongue on my trailer. I said last guy because I don't loan it out anymore. If one of my friends wants to use it, I go, my 3/4 ton truck, my trailer, and I load it. I don't mind helping them, just don't want anyone to get hurt... Good luck!

[ebayalias]

I had a friend come down and pick up an '87 442 just last year. 1,600 mile drive. I knew it was going to be towed, (no engine in it), so I packed and prepped it as best as I could. He came down and got a Uhaul, and a ...tow dolly. I never even considered that. I prepped it anticipating him using a car trailer. The tires had 0 miles, but were about 6 yrs old, they both blew. I loaned him a spare, or 2 and a floor jack for the trip. The exhaust was tied up, but dropped. The header panel was snug but not tight, and the bouncing broke it loose, the fenders slapped around. It was a disaster for him. I wish I had pulled the front end off, and would not have bothered putting the rear bumper on. My thought was that the car would go on the trailer, and then we would put on 2 car covers, and tie it all down so it would get there safe, and dry. I get sick thinking about it.

[Kev442]

Wow, he had a tough time of it! Cost him a fortune too, rental truck mileage rates are no less than .40, more like .75 a mile, plus gas at 10 MPG. :eek:

Just used my Bravada and tow dolly on another one a couple weeks back. 1200 miles round trip, left at 5:30 on a Thursday night, got home Midnight Friday.
I use Murphy's Law. I bring 2 spares for the towed car and a spare for the dolly, all my road tools, extra ratchet straps, the whole shebang. I check straps, tires and retorque lugs at every stop. This means I never have had a flat and have never had to wrench on my truck yet either. I wasn't too happy with the 86-88 degree temp when I started back home, but it never ran hot and after 2 or 3 hours I got through the front and it dropped to 75 degrees. I averaged 12 MPG towing at a steady 63 MPH in very windy conditions. Heck, I even stopped by NAPA and grabbed a serpentine belt and idler pulley as the 4.3 likes to eat these out of the blue!