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03-05-2013, 10:33 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1
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Towing Backwards
Anybody have experience in towing car with tow dolly by rear wheels?
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03-05-2013, 10:37 AM
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#2
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Community Administrator
RV Trip Wizard
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 54,121
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Welcome to IRV2. I'll put this thread into the Toad and Motorhome related towing forum to reach more members. Cliff
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Cliff,Tallulah and Buddy ( 1999-2012 )
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03-05-2013, 11:52 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2000
Location: California Central Coast
Posts: 2,036
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I've seen a lot of rearwheel drive auto trans cars towed backwards for short distances. Not recommended for long distance because the front wheel caster and camber are designed to move forward. Long distance would increase tire wear and also wear on suspension components. Wouldn't think it was a good idea.
Glenn
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2006 Sea Breeze LX 8341 on a Workhorse W22 Chassis with 22.5 Alcoa Alum wheels,
2011 Chevy Colorado 4X4 with Ready Brake
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03-05-2013, 12:06 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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All the dollies I've looked at specifically say not to do it. But that doesn't seem to stop people from doing it.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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03-06-2013, 08:10 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 13,600
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Hi Brian McRAE,
I towed this way for about 10 years and several rear wheel drive cars. I never had a problem. All cars are different. I never had any problems with front end tire wear or front end chassis components. For me, I'd do it again with no concerns. Just make sure the front wheels of the towed car are locked in a straight position.
__________________
Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910 + GMC ENVOY XUV 37K lbs Moving Down The Road
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
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03-06-2013, 09:34 AM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 28,337
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Both the dolly makers and the auto manufacturers say "Don't Do IT!". That doesn't mean it cannot be done successfully (see GaryKD's reply), but you need to know the vehicle and the technique really well or risk serious damage. Some of the problems that have occurred include: broken steering column lock, worn tires, front suspension damage, and a dolly that thrashes around uncontrollably. Some of these things occur over time, so may not be readily evident.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is now West Palm Beach, FL
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03-06-2013, 09:37 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Federal Way, Wa.
Posts: 2,901
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I've never seen a backwards tow
I never hope to see one
But I can tell you anyhow
I'd rather see than do one
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I do all my own stunts
03 Dolphin LX 6355, Workhorse W22, 8.1 vortec, 04 CR-V, Blue Ox, Brake Pro----Norm, Barb and
Doc(He's a PhD)
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03-06-2013, 09:50 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Fulltime, USA
Posts: 16,706
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Ive seen it a few times over the years but see to much risk vs bonafide methods. IMHO
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03-06-2013, 10:11 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 325
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Used to tow small pickup backwards on a dolly. It can be done, but the problem I had was there was two much weight behind and off the dolly. Since the dolly pivots, I found it wandered a lot. After I went to FWD on the dolly, it was much easier. I think it truly depends on the weight distribution.
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03-06-2013, 11:59 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Anacortes, WA (Stick & Brick)
Posts: 2,643
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I would expect it to do serious harm to the steering system, particularly the power steering pump and the column locks, unless some form of locking the steering close to the wheels were possible.
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Frank Damp -Anacortes, WA,(DW- Eileen)
ex-pat Brits (1968) and ex-RVers.
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03-06-2013, 12:07 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Fair Play, SC
Posts: 986
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Good thread. Wish I knew all this before selling my car... LOL
We had a BMW 3 series convertible and thought of towing it backwards but was talked out of is. So we traded it in for a 2012 KIA RIO Hatchback that also weighs about 800 pounds less so for us it turned out to be a win win scenario. Personally I feel if the steering wheel is locked and secured in a straight position it could be done. IMHO
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Richie, Rose and our Australian Terrier Harley
2004 Bounder 35R, 2012 ACME EZtow,2012 Kia Rio Hatchback
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03-06-2013, 12:22 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 117
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We also have a 3 series BMW with an automatic and I have considered towing backwards on a dolly as well. I have read on other forums the trick is to secure the steering wheel and not depend only on the ignition lock. Since the 3 series has mostly 50/50 weight distribution it should not cause any sway issues due to hitch loading. Having said all that I still haven't bought a dolly yet and continue for now to tow my motorcyle in a small trailer. I'll keep thinking about it and my eye peeled for someone doing this.
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03-06-2013, 12:48 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Fulltime, USA
Posts: 16,706
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rumrunnerxx
We also have a 3 series BMW with an automatic and I have considered towing backwards on a dolly as well. I have read on other forums the trick is to secure the steering wheel and not depend only on the ignition lock. Since the 3 series has mostly 50/50 weight distribution it should not cause any sway issues due to hitch loading. Having said all that I still haven't bought a dolly yet and continue for now to tow my motorcyle in a small trailer. I'll keep thinking about it and my eye peeled for someone doing this.
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Why not get a trailer and safely haul both?
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03-06-2013, 01:22 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Warner Robins, GA
Posts: 2,613
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My neighbor tows a Dodge Charger backwards on a tow dolly. He has not had any problems. I know he has towed it from GA to Utah and back.
Jon
__________________
Jon & Sue Francis (Retired U.S.A.F.)
Lil Girl-Rescued, Abby Rescued, Peaches Rescued
06 Allegro 35TSA Workhorse Chassis
2013 Chevy Spark Dinghy
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