Re: towbars and towing


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Posted by Mark Davis on Thursday, March 01, 2001 at 11:44PM :

In Reply to: towbars and towing posted by Chris Becker on Thursday, March 01, 2001 at 2:50AM :

Chris,
I towed my 53 B-3 about 200 miles up to the 1999 Massachusetts PW rally. My tow vehicle was a 77 GMC C3500, with a freash 454, 1 ton Dual rear wheel pickup. The Flat fendered PW should weigh between 5300lbs, w/o a winch; and 5600lbs, with a winch. I had absolutely NO problems towing while using my friends tow bar. Easily did 65 mph.
Some Ideas to follow:
-Have signals, brakes and rear lights hooked up.
-Secure the steering wheel. I used a bunji cord with a heavy rope back up.
-Allow some play in the wheel. Maybe a 1/4 turn in each direction.
-Take 90 degree turns as wide as you can so as not to hop the PW wheels to much.
-At least, disconnect the rear drive shaft.
---some pull the rear axles and put in a short axle so the gears do not turn.
-make sure front hubs are unlocked.
-after 20 miles I felt the hubs, axles, and pumpkin for heat. I could easily keep my hand on them.
-Use a strong tow bar, ball, hitch, and heavy safety chain. I used a 3/8" chain. Don't skimp.
-Find out what your truck can safely pull. The 1/2 ton rating is what it can carry in the bed. It does not mean your truck can't do the job. For example: the 2001 Dodge 2500's have the same payload, but due to the different engine/trans/rear combos, their towing capacity starts at 8100lbs and goes to over 13,000lbs.
-Most flat fendered PW do 35 to 40. It may not be safe or legal to be on a hyway, due to the minimum speed limits.
-If you use a car trailer, MAKE SURE IT CAN HANDLE THE JOB. U-haul car trailers are rated at 4000lbs and the large sticker say NOT to go over 45mph. Get a trailer with at least a 7000lb capacity rating.
You would not want an undersized trailer to let loose.
Hope this helps.
Mark



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