Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » towds and towing (educating myself)
| towds and towing [message #215481] |
Tue, 23 July 2013 17:16  |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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I am just trying to figure out all about towing stuff.
I know how to use a tow dolly. but do not have one or really want to buy one.
I know how to tow most VW air cooled. but my vw only is a 2 seater, does not work well for entire family, or if it rains.
and I know how to tow trailers. but hate that weight. Easier to have my wife follow me on our trips.
I know I cannot talk my wife to go to a small car with our 2 kids that will work as a towd. and I cannot give up my full size jeep that i use to tow the boat. and cannot afford to have her drive the jeep daily.
so my towd, is either going to have to be an additional vehicle, or borrow one from a friend. We have gotten by with my wife following me in our full size impala. but that is annoying, would be nicer just to have a vehicle on the hitch, and the whole family riding together in the coach.
so the next best thing to having my own towd, is to borrow a buddies!
What i want to understand, is how flat towing works with tow bars, such as blue ox.
And what I am putting thought to, is my thing would be the possibility of never really towing any one thing consistantly.
If I bought a blue ox tow bar, would it fit all of their baseplates? or just certain ones?
how about the other manufactures?
I am out there looking at what I cannot afford, and that is a good towd. but in the meantime, I went and installed a tow bar on my friends Jeep, but then he tore it apart to put a v-8 in it. that was just a cheapo tow bar.
I just eyed up my other friends ford focus zx3. Hmmm. I thought. If I bought a tow bar for that, then I could use it when I want, and he could tow it if he wanted. but then if I finally get a decent towd down the road, would I have to completely reinvent the wheel on the whole tow bar. or could I get by with a lesser purchase of just the correct baseplate?
on that note, if anybody has a used tow bar for a 2001 ford focus zx3... let me know.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
[Updated on: Tue, 23 July 2013 17:21] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: towds and towing [message #215488 is a reply to message #215487] |
Tue, 23 July 2013 18:37  |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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I spent just over $1500 to buy a used tow bar, a blue ox plate and installation (with wiring). I still need toad brakes, but it is so nice not having to fool with a dolly. I already had a Jetta diesel with manual transmission so I didn't have the expense of the vehicle.
If I had not had the VW, I would have bought a tracker, etc.
Not for the faint of heart.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: [GMCnet] towds and towing [message #215491 is a reply to message #215487] |
Tue, 23 July 2013 19:13 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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it ain't awful.
Tow Bar - 5000lb with fittings $55 free shipped to the door.
Wiring harness - $13.95 - I think, under 20 anyway
Connector kit - again under $20
It's light enough it works on the coach brakes
<willingness to cut holes in or remove whatever is between solid parts of the car and the front>
I have maybe $2K in the car all up. A/C, PS, PB. When I fix it, cruise.
It goes behind the GMC.
It's do able on a shoestring, if you work at it.
It is transportation at a lower level, and kind of like a lifeboat.
Bonus - I use the toad as a commute to the bus stop ride for cheeeep.
--johnny
--------------------------------------------
On Tue, 7/23/13, Matt Colie <matt7323tze@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] towds and towing
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Tuesday, July 23, 2013, 11:28 PM
Read what lqqkatjon wrote on Tue, 23 July 2013 18:16
This reads very much like you are looking for a simple and
cheap way to have a towd....
Give it up. You need:
A Tow Bar - Blue Ox or Roadmaster or.... None fit any
other's base plate.
A base plate specific to that vehicle and the same as the
tow bar.
A light system so the brake and tail lights show on the
towd.
A braking system - these are required in most states
A set of safety chains or cables so the towd stays with you
if things go wrong.
this set usually costs 2~3K$us - just the parts.
And a Vehicle...
A good dolly with brakes is 1K+ and you still need lights.
My book says dollies are real good for bringing dead cars
home.
There is no cheap way to do it.
I have looked.
Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie
'73 Glacier 23 Chaumière (say show-me-air)
Now with 4 working Rear Brakes
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: towds and towing [message #215499 is a reply to message #215481] |
Tue, 23 July 2013 20:51 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Jon,
Flat towing ain't cheap, but can be accomplished on somewhat of a lower budget. First, you need to determine if the vehicle you are looking at can be flat towed without damage to the transmission. This info should be in the owner's manual, or available online. If there is room in the taillight assembly, you can add a socket for towing lights only and keep the lighting isolated that way. The other way is by installing diodes in the lighting harness.
Here's what I did to tow our Tracker:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5523-towing-etc.html
The Tracker had a baseplate and diodes already installed and was set up for a 'Brake Buddy' already. I bought a used Brake Buddy on Craig's List for $350.00.
Carl S, currently at the Fagstaff KOA
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] towds and towing [message #215516 is a reply to message #215499] |
Wed, 24 July 2013 00:40 |
mickeysss
Messages: 1476
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I think someone mentioned this, but some times on ecoupon y0u can get a rent a car for 59 dollars free milage for a week.
There is always a deal for rent a cars. if you have AAA they will give you a car free if you ask for help for a day or so.
Mickey, anaheim ca. 77 palm beach
On Jul 23, 2013, at 6:51 PM, Carl Stouffer wrote:
>
>
> Jon,
>
> Flat towing ain't cheap, but can be accomplished on somewhat of a lower budget. First, you need to determine if the vehicle you are looking at can be flat towed without damage to the transmission. This info should be in the owner's manual, or available online. If there is room in the taillight assembly, you can add a socket for towing lights only and keep the lighting isolated that way. The other way is by installing diodes in the lighting harness.
>
> Here's what I did to tow our Tracker:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5523-towing-etc.html
>
> The Tracker had a baseplate and diodes already installed and was set up for a 'Brake Buddy' already. I bought a used Brake Buddy on Craig's List for $350.00.
>
> Carl S, currently at the Fagstaff KOA
> --
> Carl S.
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: towds and towing [message #215523 is a reply to message #215481] |
Wed, 24 July 2013 07:41 |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Jon,
You've too many special purpose vehicles. I feel your pain. I've got more than you and I don't even have any kids at home.
Cheapest way out is to trade the 2 seater, no top VW for an air cooled VW bug. Get a cheap VW tow bar and a set of magnetic towing lights- less than $100 for both. Find a used Brake Buddy if you decide you need it.
Your wife still has the luxury car, you've got the Jeep for hauling the boat. And you have a cheap daily driver that will double as your toad and will carry the whole family when you need it to.
I use one Reese adjustable towbar to tow either my 74 Porche 914 or the 93 Jeep Cherokee.
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: towds and towing [message #215525 is a reply to message #215481] |
Wed, 24 July 2013 08:00 |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Jon,
You didn't say what the "full sized" Jeep is. I assume it has 4 seats. And it must be road worthy if you tow your boat with it.
Many GMC'ers, myself included tow jeeps.
Rigging the Jeep would be the cheapest of all. Bars, lights, and base plates are readily available and inexpensive.
You don't have the expense of another car, everyone keeps their daily driver, and you have a toad and a boat tow-er.
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] towds and towing [message #215527 is a reply to message #215481] |
Wed, 24 July 2013 08:18 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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We purchased a Blue Ox tow bar 9 years ago and have had several towed
vehicles since. Honda Civic, Chev Equinox, and two Miatas. It is a very
durable, easy to use unit. We used an inexpensive Roadmaster when we towed
a Geo Metro with our GMC and I never did like the looks of those
"cowcatcher" base plates and for sure, do not like the looks of the
monstrosities that fold up and stow on the front of the towed vehicles.
Blue Ox makes nearly all their baseplates with hidden receptacles that
adapter pins lock into when it's time to tow.
Steve F.
On Tue, Jul 23, 2013 at 3:16 PM, Jon Roche <lqqkatjon@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> I am just trying to figure out all about towing stuff.
>
> I know how to use a tow dolly.
>
> I know how to tow most VW air cooled.
>
> and I know how to tow trailers.
>
> What i want to understand, is how flat towing works with tow bars, such as
> blue ox.
>
> And what I am putting thought to, is my thing would be the possibility of
> never really towing any one thing consistantly.
>
> If I bought a blue ox tow bar, would it fit all of their baseplates? or
> just certain ones?
>
> how about the other manufactures?
>
> I am out there looking at what I cannot afford, and that is a good towd.
> but in the meantime, I went and installed a tow bar on my friends Jeep,
> but then he tore it apart to put a v-8 in it. that was just a cheapo tow
> bar.
>
> I just eyed up my other friends ford focus zx3. Hmmm. I thought. If I
> bought a tow bar for that, then I could use it when I want, and he could
> tow it if he wanted. but then if I finally get a decent towd down the
> road, would I have to completely reinvent the wheel on the whole tow bar.
> or could I get by with a lesser purchase of just the correct baseplate?
>
> on that note, if anybody has a used tow bar for a 2001 ford focus zx3...
> let me know.
> --
> 75 palm beach
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Take care,
Steve
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| Re: towds and towing [message #215535 is a reply to message #215481] |
Wed, 24 July 2013 09:22 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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There is some helpful information here.
Dan is right, I have a full size 84 grand wagoneer. would be perfect to tow behind a diesel pusher, but too heavy for my liking to ever tow behind my GMC. The smart thing would be to trade that off on a xj. but I just went from an xj a few years ago to the wagoneer. I really do not want to downsize just to be able to tow it behind the gmc a few weekends a year.
My ultimate plan, is to be towing a VW thing, with a towbar I already have laying around. even though there is no A/C or heat. It is too fun to be driving to care. But until someone drops 5-10k in my lap, that will be a few years down the road.
I am eyeing up some vw rabbit cabriolets. My brother has one that he said I can have, just needs a tranny. but unless If anybody happens to be traveling from Oregon, to MN and want to haul it to me for free, the cost of shipping and the tranny, I can buy one locally. but there is a fine line between rusted junk and a decent car here in MN.
My friend picked up this focus zx3 from another friend for $500. it has a fuel leak. not sure what else is wrong with it. but that weighs per specs, 2500 pounds. I thought about fixing that, and setting it up to tow. could maybe have it behind the gmc for less then $1000. He has a second zx3 already, so I could always sell him the tow bar in the end.
I do not want to give up my off road buggy, but there is some thinking there, that I should give it up for something more family orientated. I like my shorter 2 seater for the woods. so do not want to go to a 4 seater. plus no good for the family in the rain.
I do not see a closed top VW bug. Even though the wife thinks they look "cute" I see when the humidity and heat is up, having her and the kids overheated in that. If I lived back in oregon, it would be a no-brainer. Here in MN, it is either too hot, or too cold for a vw bug.
Here is a blog of what I have towed before:
http://www.lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
for now i am looking for a cheap alternative. I plan on keeping whatever I go with on the lightest side possible. I think if I can keep either close to or less then 3000 pounds, I can get by without any brake buddy. I am not planning on cross country trips, and no mountain's involved. I have towed a few items, and understand the brakes/weight involved. less weight to me, is better.
not in a huge rush, just trying to figure things out, I do plan on having something as a towd for 2014.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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