Towing A C-Body
- Thread starter streetmachine
- Start date
Back when I started drag racing (1974), it wasn't unusual to see race cars being towed in with a towbar. They would change the rear tires and maybe they had tow hubs. Lot's of guys did this with no problems.
Then about once or twice a season, someone would wreck both their race car and tow car in some sort of towing accident. They would get a little crossed up avoiding something because they couldn't stop as fast and the front wheels on the race car would turn and they would end up in a ditch with two wadded up cars.
I'm not saying that happened to everyone... nor am I saying it will happen.... I'm just saying it happened a lot. When my car got past the driven in street car phase, I skipped over flat towing and bought a trailer.
Then about once or twice a season, someone would wreck both their race car and tow car in some sort of towing accident. They would get a little crossed up avoiding something because they couldn't stop as fast and the front wheels on the race car would turn and they would end up in a ditch with two wadded up cars.
I'm not saying that happened to everyone... nor am I saying it will happen.... I'm just saying it happened a lot. When my car got past the driven in street car phase, I skipped over flat towing and bought a trailer.
Mr C
Senior Member
Commando1, you got me thinking of my youth. Picking up cars with friends and towing with a single rope/ chain with your buddy in the car being towed. You just had to make sure there was enough length to the rope and that he pumped the brakes to keep from rear ending the tow car!
Ah, youth...the crazy stuff we used to pull. I'm glad I survived it.
I've got a tow rope in my truck right now and use it around the neighborhood.
My brother, friends and I use to tow our cars back from Great Lakes Dragway (Da Grove) Union Grove, Wisconsin to Milwaukee when we broke something. We would have to take U.S. 41....the State Police would stop us if we would tow with a rope on I-43. Sometimes (most of the time) we would drive down to Da Grove with open headers and swap to slicks once we got there. The rich guys (with the Chevy race cars) all had trailers and a lot of spare parts. Our cars were daily drivers and the only car we had to get to work with.
My brother, friends and I use to tow our cars back from Great Lakes Dragway (Da Grove) Union Grove, Wisconsin to Milwaukee when we broke something. We would have to take U.S. 41....the State Police would stop us if we would tow with a rope on I-43. Sometimes (most of the time) we would drive down to Da Grove with open headers and swap to slicks once we got there. The rich guys (with the Chevy race cars) all had trailers and a lot of spare parts. Our cars were daily drivers and the only car we had to get to work with.
Sounds a little kinky.....
I have a tow strap in my truck, but I use the AAA card in my wallet whenever there's a problem.
70bigblockdodge
Old Man with a Hat
General rule is less than 2' rear overhang no flag over 2-5 feet needs a red/orange flag that should free flap, over 5 feet put the flag on and hope your get a cop that failed measuring, don't get argumentative on the side of the road take it and pay or cry to local judge. If any of you are trailer length over 53' you deserve a ticket because you should know the rules. I would never go into a scale in any state, if there is no u.s.d.o.t number on the side of the power unit, again if you don't understand that jiberish DON'T GO INTO THE SCALE. This pretty much works for all 47,states 48,if you include Washington d.c.. California is a whole different world if you are there you are on your own, there is a reason I have not been there in fifteen years fly in drive the car out is really the only option there.
cm23uoc
Old Man with a Hat
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2011
- Messages
- 8,368
- Reaction score
- 3,445
Most hairraising tow experience was when my car broke down on the Autobahn when I called the largest German Autoclub as I wanted to have the car ASAP away from there as there was no regular side spot to park safely. That guy dragged me with a rope home at up to 85 mph, even along the Country lanes where 65 was max. Speed.
After arriving home I noticed the guy must have had either a pretty heavy Aftershave or have been simply drunk.
After arriving home I noticed the guy must have had either a pretty heavy Aftershave or have been simply drunk.
300rag
It's Not Going to Shift Itself
I'm going to surmise that in a jurisdiction that does not specify maximum trailer length, but only total length, the companies using only short tractors will try to get the longest trailer they can. It's got to be as ***** for maneuverability, though.
patrick66
Old Man with a Hat
I imagine the 57' trailer would be for a single-axle day cab tractor, keeping the overall length legal. That's a long-assed trailer!
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
70bigblockdodge
Old Man with a Hat
They allow them out west not sure of the states. When I pulled intermodal out of the rail yard one came in on the train. Friend of mine worked for a co. with orange trailers at the time, he got stuck pulling it up to wal-mart D.C. and live unloaded it drug it right back and put it on the train empty headed back.
BTW 45' should be the longest trailer 85% of the 53' trailers have their loads stretched out to make it to the 48' mark. Van drivers shooting themselves in the foot or should I say their co. is.
BTW 45' should be the longest trailer 85% of the 53' trailers have their loads stretched out to make it to the 48' mark. Van drivers shooting themselves in the foot or should I say their co. is.
MrMoparCHP
Old Man with a Hat
Here is the rule in California...
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/engineering/trucks/truck-length-routes.htm
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/engineering/trucks/
Alan
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/engineering/trucks/truck-length-routes.htm
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/engineering/trucks/
Alan
70bigblockdodge
Old Man with a Hat
Again there are reasons to stay out of the shakey state.
polara66hardtop
Senior Member
Hey big barney, I'm no expert on Semi's rules, tell me more about that Rule. I am curious. How does a guy get from Council Bluffs to Pine bluff, Wyoming without going thru Nebraska? Long way around!
Similar threads
