Secure steering on Toyota MR2 Toad?

[SeeTheUSA]

A friend is planning to tow a Toyota MR2 Spider one time from Texas to Utah - his plan is to back it onto a rented tow dolly and tow it with his other car. His question is about securing the steering wheel --- is the steering column ignition lock sufficient or does he need to do more?

Appreciate your advice. Thanks.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeeTheUSA Appreciate your advice. Thanks.

A better question would be to find out if the car is able to lock the steering wheel in the straight ahead position. I'm thinking if the wheel is off center, it'll pull on the tow equipment, may scrub the tires and might do something weird to the steering gear. I have seen vehicles towed backward as you suggest with the steering wheel tied off with a rope of all things. That didn't look to be like a workable solution but it was what it was.

Apparently this vehicle is a mid-engine rear drive so putting the front wheels on the ground seems to be a workable plan. Just try to get it as straight as possible. Using the lock on the steering I expect may work just rule out the straight part.

[Gary RVRoamer]

The conventional wisdom is that the steering wheel lock is not strong enough to hold the wheel straight under the stresses of towing. Ropes and/or bungy cords are often used to support the wheel.

[SeeTheUSA]

Thanks . . . I wish instead my friend would just give me the car (it's very nice), be he insists on taking it with him to Utah.

I'll tell him to add securement just to be safe.

[tncruiser]

i believe towing a car backwards for an extended distance could damage the tires and suspension as the toein/towout ,caster and camber are designed for driving forward
in a sense the wheels would react like they were in reverse and doing 65 mph
good luck
brianj