Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Kind of a poll (Towing)
| Kind of a poll [message #348204] |
Fri, 20 September 2019 20:10  |
thigh19
Messages: 92
Registered: July 2019
Location: Vancouver Wa
Karma: 1
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Looking to find a good, reasonably priced car to tow.
Want to know what you guys are towing and why,
Also wondering, live tow, tow dolly, or car trailer.
Thinking something period correct
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| Re: [GMCnet] Kind of a poll [message #348205 is a reply to message #348204] |
Fri, 20 September 2019 20:20  |
johnd01
Messages: 354
Registered: July 2017
Location: Sacrameot
Karma: -1
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Dolly and trailer will work with most but you are adding an additional
1000 lbs or so and what do you do with the trailer when you get there? If
you get into a place where you need to unhook to make a corner a live tow
(4 wheels down) is a lot easier. The car you choose needs to be a lot
better to justify not limiting yourself to live tow.
All that said I am interested in what car to tow as well.
John Phillips
75 Avion VIN A26000
Retired
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
On Fri, Sep 20, 2019 at 6:11 PM Thom High via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Looking to find a good, reasonably priced car to tow.
> Want to know what you guys are towing and why,
> Also wondering, live tow, tow dolly, or car trailer.
> Thinking something period correct
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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--
*John Phillips*
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Johnd01
John Phillips
Avion A2600 TZE064V101164
Rancho Cordova, CA (Sacramento)
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| Re: Kind of a poll [message #348222 is a reply to message #348204] |
Fri, 20 September 2019 22:15 |
Larry
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
Karma: 10
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We flat tow one of two vehicles. For us, a trailer or tow dolly is more weight added and just one more thing to deal with. Both of our cars are our otherwise daily drivers, so serve a dual purpose. Both vehicles are in excess of 24yrs old. One of the things we came to realize is that towed cars pile on milage. Don't matter so much with an older car. Another thing is towed cars get nicked by stones and debris picked up by the motorhome. On an older car it don't matter so much. Older cars are cheaper to insure. Don't need all of the coverage sometimes required by a newer vehicle. So if something happens, not as big of a deal. I'm a mechanic and can keep them running and in good shape. JMHO
So, now...we tow a 91 Honda Civic hatchback, my daily driver. Weighs 2260 with a full tank of gas. 5 speed stick. Put a aux braking system in, put it in neutral and go. As a hatch, we can get a lot of stuff into it if needed and it will take us long distances home if needed. A small easy comfortable tow. Our other car (Lucy's) is a 96 Geo Tracker. Weighs in at 2460 with a full tank of gas. 5 speed stick and 4WD. Put a aux braking system in, put transfer case in neutral, trans in 2nd gear and go. Not nearly as much room inside and with that short wheel base and stiff springs, could, but would not want to drive it a long distance home, though could do it. Once we got the coach stuck on grass, hooked it up to the tow bar, put it in 4WD low, and pushed the coach out of trouble. Also was nice to have out west where we did some off-roading. That was fun. Lucy loves this car. So, we go SE to Florida to see daughters, we tow the Civic. Go to SW to California to visit our son, we tow the Tracker. When home drive both daily. Once I said I'm thinking of selling the Tracker. She said..."WAIT a second BUSTER...that's MY car!". I got the message. Both are an easy tow. We like them both. So...JWWD. (Just What WE Do) and OHO (Our Humble Opinion).
Larry 
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
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| Re: Kind of a poll [message #348223 is a reply to message #348222] |
Fri, 20 September 2019 22:42 |
Hal StClair
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
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To start with, we tow 4 down. Have done tow dolly and trailer but neither have been as easy as the flat towing. We now tow a 2004 Mini Cooper S (about 2500 lbs) but have towed a 2010 VW TDI wagon and 2006 Golf (3300, 3100 lbs) with good results. All these cars are quite low so you need to be more aware of straddling road garbage but the GMC isn't exactly a 4x4 either. We use a horizontal shield which does a fair job of protecting the towd and of course use a supplemental brake system. The wagon afforded a lot of extra storage compared to the Mini and CAN transport an extra couple when needed but Nana loves 'RED' (the Mini) so that's how we travel. 
Hal
"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane."
1977 Royale 101348,
1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,
Rio Rancho, NM
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| Re: Kind of a poll [message #348224 is a reply to message #348204] |
Fri, 20 September 2019 22:44 |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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Senior Member |
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We sure like our Tracker 4x4. Can't hardly tell it is back there. Thanks to Larry, Rob, and Ken.
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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| Re: [GMCnet] Kind of a poll [message #348229 is a reply to message #348228] |
Sat, 21 September 2019 00:54 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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There will be times you want to disconnect FAST ad easily to pick up a part
or eve push the coach out of an intersection.
Also some camp sites are limited to length.
On Fri, Sep 20, 2019 at 9:50 PM Mike Kelley via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Thom:
> We and a few others tow Corvairs - 2,450 #.
> I currently use a tow dolly but much prefer to tow 4 down - as much less
> preparation and up and down effort. A four speed tows 4 down easily in
> neutral or a power glide in drive w/ engine running.
> Corvairs were made tween 1960 & 1969 - a Classic towing a Classic!
> Mike/The Corvair a holic
> 76 Eleganza II 26’ - IL. coach
> 76 Glenbrook 28’ - 2’ stretch - Tx. coach
> 78 Glenbrook 26’ - Project coach
> Don’t ask the model of Corvair as I have 13 of them!!!
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Sep 20, 2019, at 10:44 PM, Charles Boyd via Gmclist gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> We sure like our Tracker 4x4. Can't hardly tell it is back there.
> Thanks to Larry, Rob, and Ken.
>> --
>> C. Boyd
>> 76 Crestmont
>> East Tennessee
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: Kind of a poll [message #348236 is a reply to message #348204] |
Sat, 21 September 2019 08:23 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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I tow severally a Kia Soul or a Ranger pickup (first body style, this one is a 1988). Mostly because I had them and they're towable four down. I wasn't interested in the hassle of a dolly. The pickup has tow bar clips on the front using the bolts which connect the bumper to the front of the frame rails, nice and solid. The Kia has a Demco baseplate because the front foot or so of the car is all plastic. Both tow easily.
On the Kia - or for that matter any modern computerized car, I simply added two taillamp bulbs to the rear lens assemblies and my tow lighting is entirely separate from the car's electrics. For the pickup, a homemade PVC light bar which has ends to drop in the stajke-side holes in the bed. Each way, there's no connections to the vehicle's electrics.
Two tricks here - first remember to unlock the steering wheel to preclude tearing up the front tires (ask me how I know this) and second is set your rear view camera so you can monitor the tow now and again. Should you flat a tire and not notice it, you can tear up a wheel. Same comment as above 
--johnny
n.b. Since I got a fullsize pickup, the Ranger's for sale. Towbar included. Anybody?
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
[Updated on: Sat, 21 September 2019 08:25] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Kind of a poll [message #348238 is a reply to message #348236] |
Sat, 21 September 2019 08:43 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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We flat tow a 2003 Chevy Tracker, four door, four wheel drive, ~3000 #, and Kathy's daily driver. It has an automatic transmission and tows with the transfer case in neutral and the key in the off position. I bought a Brake Buddy from a Craig's List seller for $350.00 and a simple A-frame tow bar from another guy for $75.00. We have been using this set-up for probably nine years now with ZERO issues.
I also occasionally (once per year) to my 1953 Jeep CJ-3B on a homemade trailer to the sand dunes in SE California. The whole rig weighs about 4000 # (maybe a little more) and tows easily. The trailer has electric brakes and the GMC has a brake controller on the dash.
I towed my '87 Jeep Cherokee from Tucson to Quartzsite and back one time. It was a little heavy, but not as heavy as the 3B on the trailer. We tow the Tracker nearly everywhere we go.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5523-towing-etc.html
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] Kind of a poll [message #348246 is a reply to message #348238] |
Sat, 21 September 2019 10:03 |
Mike Kelley
Messages: 467
Registered: February 2017
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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Carl S.:
For the newbies - I will clarify - you have the 3:70 final drive which makes towing heavier weights much easier. W/ the original GMC 3:07 final drive - GM recommends towing 1,000 # - which many of us exceed.
Just sayin,
Mike/The Corvair a holic
Sent from my iPhone
> On Sep 21, 2019, at 8:43 AM, Carl Stouffer via Gmclist wrote:
>
> We flat tow a 2003 Chevy Tracker, four door, four wheel drive, ~3000 #, and Kathy's daily driver. It has an automatic transmission and tows with the
> transfer case in neutral and the key in the off position. I bought a Brake Buddy from a Craig's List seller for $350.00 and a simple A-frame tow bar
> from another guy for $75.00. We have been using this set-up for probably nine years now with ZERO issues.
>
> I also occasionally (once per year) to my 1953 Jeep CJ-3B on a homemade trailer to the sand dunes in SE California. The whole rig weighs about 4000 #
> (maybe a little more) and tows easily. The trailer has electric brakes and the GMC has a brake controller on the dash.
>
> I towed my '87 Jeep Cherokee from Tucson to Quartzsite and back one time. It was a little heavy, but not as heavy as the 3B on the trailer. We tow
> the Tracker nearly everywhere we go.
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5523-towing-etc.html
> --
> 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
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: [GMCnet] Kind of a poll [message #348252 is a reply to message #348204] |
Sat, 21 September 2019 10:27 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Thom,
Carl's mention of his A-frame tow bar reminded me to suggest that you
consider the difficulty of connection of your toad: For ease of alignment,
either a trailer or a dolly should be connected BEFORE loading the car.
And I strongly advise against using the inexpensive A-frame, or even the
adjustable mount-on-the car, tow bars, because they make a car even more
difficult to connect than a trailer or dolly, unless you're a very good
driver with exceptional depth perception and alignment recognition. I
towed that way for years before finally breaking down and buying a
coach-mounted tow bar; life's much easier now -- even SHE can position the
car (sorta).
As for the vehicle recommendation, most straight-shift vehicles, especially
the older ones, can be towed 4-down by merely positioning the transmission
in neutral and releasing the parking brake. Only a few automatic
transmissions allow towing for more than a few miles. With a non-towable
automatic, the company Remco makes driveshaft disconnects (for both front-
and rear-drive vehicles) which, for a few hundred dollars, do allow
towing. Until 2014, the most common of the towables was Honda. We towed a
'99 CRV for probably 75,000 miles with never a problem and replaced it a
couple of years ago with one of the last towable ones (2014).
Personally, I wouldn't consider a dolly or trailer for a moment, not only
because of the weight, parking, and other difficulties but also because
there are a few campgrounds that won't even allow parking them on site.
Weight is a consideration, but up to about 4000 lbs should not be a major
problem for a good-running coach, even with a 3.07:1 final drive.
JMHO,
Ken H.
On Fri, Sep 20, 2019 at 9:11 PM Thom High via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Looking to find a good, reasonably priced car to tow.
> Want to know what you guys are towing and why,
> Also wondering, live tow, tow dolly, or car trailer.
> Thinking something period correct
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
_______________________________________________
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: Kind of a poll [message #348273 is a reply to message #348204] |
Sat, 21 September 2019 15:02 |
MikeB
Messages: 133
Registered: December 2018
Location: South Bama
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Just bought my coach and towed and currently driving from Montana. I have a 1989 Suzuki Sidekick towing all 4 down. It weighs 2480. It's simple to work on but some parts can be a little tricky to find. 4x4 and taller stance is great for rough roads out west and the soft top was nice to roll back at Glacier National Park. Great mileage but rough ride. We drop tire pressure down to 15 psi on gravel and rough roads makes a huge difference. Towed by blue ox bars hooked to front mounted hitches in front. It has aSuperior Driveline to disconnect the driveshaft. Next upgrade will be brake assist. Also glad I have a rear camera and TPMS to keep an eye on it.
M Beam
75’ Avion
TBI EBL , 3.70 LSD and other stuff
Zuki Sidekick,
Dozier Al
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| Re: Kind of a poll [message #348317 is a reply to message #348204] |
Sat, 21 September 2019 19:59 |
NextGenGMC
Messages: 146
Registered: December 2017
Location: Washington State
Karma: -1
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Senior Member |
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I tow an 1986 2-door BMW E30 with a manual transmission. Manual transmission allows 4 wheels down towing. Using a BlueOx towbar setup with it. Works great and easy to connect/disconnect at the final destinations.
Vadim Jitkov
'76 Glenbrook 26'
Pullman, WA
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| Re: Kind of a poll [message #348387 is a reply to message #348204] |
Sun, 22 September 2019 17:42 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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I looked at Suzukis but passed because a: I already had the Kia, and B: around here they show a somewhat distressing tendency to turn turtle - at least the short ones. I like the convertible top, but a roll bar is to me a necessity. If they're anywhere close to my old Suzy Titan scooter, they'll be reliable as an anvil. The Soul rides a lot smoother as well, but has less ground clearance and isn't 4WD. You throws your nickle and you takes your choice.
--johnny
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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