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Old 09-27-2018, 04:59 AM   #1
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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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Old 09-27-2018, 05:14 AM   #2
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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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Old 09-27-2018, 05:21 AM   #3
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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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Old 09-27-2018, 05:53 AM   #4
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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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Old 09-27-2018, 06:15 AM   #5
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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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Old 10-28-2018, 10:42 AM   #6
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I towed my Saab convertible to Yuma and back with no problems on my Acme tow dolly



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Old 10-28-2018, 07:41 PM   #7
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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.
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Old 11-17-2018, 03:11 PM   #8
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Is your Saab a standard transmission?
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Old 11-17-2018, 03:30 PM   #9
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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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Old 11-18-2018, 03:15 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeh2obury View Post
Is your Saab a standard transmission?
No. Car has an automatic transmission. No problems towing and no miles are added to the odometer when on the dolly.
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Old 11-18-2018, 03:56 AM   #11
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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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Old 11-18-2018, 10:13 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeh2obury View Post
Is your Saab a standard transmission?
Forgot to mention that it is front wheel drive only.
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