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09-27-2018, 04:59 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Panama City Fl.
Posts: 12
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Dolly Towing a 2008 Saab 9-3 sedan
Anyone have any input on towing this very low clearance vehicle on a dolly?
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09-27-2018, 05:14 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 634
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No experience but I think size of tires on the dolly would make a difference for the angle front to rear of the towed vehicle.
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09-27-2018, 05:21 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Panama City Fl.
Posts: 12
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Thanks for the insight. The car has new tires and I have been looking at that option, also what about the tow dolly and smaller tires on the dolly itself?
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09-27-2018, 05:53 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,317
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You need to look at the rear tire to rear bumper distance and ground clearance to figure if lifting the front about a foot will cause it to drag.
You can use wood ramps to get the low front up on the dolly.
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09-27-2018, 06:15 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Panama City Fl.
Posts: 12
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The problem seems to be the ramps themselves as the clearance under the
middle of the vehicle is only about 1" and I am concerned about rough or uneven drive terrain. I bought ramp extensions and the front does not have a clearance problem when loading that was the first obstacle, then I replaced the ratchets to secure the tires to the dolly because the ratchets would not clear the front underside. Hopefully the new mounted fixed ratchets will solve the securing of the front tires. My son and I are going to use a large abandoned parking lot to test very slowly the turning and some of the speed bumps and see how it goes. Thanks for all the input.
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10-28-2018, 10:42 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 226
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I towed my Saab convertible to Yuma and back with no problems on my Acme tow dolly
__________________
Shirley & Steve
Cary, NC
2014 Tioga Montera 25K Ford Super Duty 450 V 10 Stehl dolly Volkswagen EOS
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10-28-2018, 07:41 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 29
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We tow a 2007 9-3 Aero with a Master Tow dolly. This has a very low clearance with the front air dam. Purchased the extra ramp extenders that gives a lower approach angle. Put a piece of 2 x 12 in front of the extension ramp that provides just enough clearance to get the car up the ramp. Only about 1" clearance for the air dam, but does clear it OK. Put a chain through the front suspension as a secondary tie down. Close fit with the wheel straps but they go on OK. Tows fine. We have gone from Western Mass to Florida panhandle twice, PEI in Canada, Maine...don't even know it is behind the DP.
This is our 4th SAAB...first was a 99 back in the early 70's. Sad to see them out of business. Hope this helps.
__________________
Dnmais
98 Dutchstar 3865, Spartan Chassis, towing a dolly with a SAAB 9-3 Aero
Western Massachusetts
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11-17-2018, 03:11 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 420
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Is your Saab a standard transmission?
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11-17-2018, 03:30 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,317
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Once the car is on a dolly with fixed ramps, the trailer hitch height is critical. If its to low the ramp sit close to the rocker panels and can hit.
Raise the hitch ball and gain more clearance. Just need to keep some ramp to road clearance, by not going to high.
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11-18-2018, 03:15 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeh2obury
Is your Saab a standard transmission?
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No. Car has an automatic transmission. No problems towing and no miles are added to the odometer when on the dolly.
__________________
Dnmais
98 Dutchstar 3865, Spartan Chassis, towing a dolly with a SAAB 9-3 Aero
Western Massachusetts
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11-18-2018, 03:56 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Panama City Fl.
Posts: 12
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Dolly Towing
Thanks to all who have contributed to the discussion. The main solution is raising the height of the towing hitch (too high and the ramps are too low too low and the vehicle undercarriage is too close). So the solution has been to add the ramp extenders for loading, and after turning the ball on the hitch over I found I need a hitch that does not raise or lower the ball too much. Hopefully there is a Factory connector that will work and I don't have to build one myself.
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11-18-2018, 10:13 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeh2obury
Is your Saab a standard transmission?
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Forgot to mention that it is front wheel drive only.
__________________
Dnmais
98 Dutchstar 3865, Spartan Chassis, towing a dolly with a SAAB 9-3 Aero
Western Massachusetts
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