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Anyone Tow their Camaro for a long distance?

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Old 03-20-2006, 07:19 AM
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Default Anyone Tow their Camaro for a long distance?

I am trying to find information on towing my 98 Z28 back home to IL from NJ. I have a 97 F-150 with a towing package so that should be no problem at all. But I've never towed a car before. What's a good trailer to look for? I would rather just get the towing dolly but I heard you can't tow rear wheel drive cars with it? How come? I don't want anything tooo expensive so an open trailer will do fine, I'll throw my car cover on it for the trip and strap the car down nice and tight. Any good information or hints/tips? I probably won't use the trailer much either so I don't need anything fancy.

Thanks,
Dan
Old 03-20-2006, 09:18 AM
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Try getting an open trailer from Uhaul, for one trip, its probably worth it.
Old 03-20-2006, 09:25 AM
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yea i used a uhaul trailer it's not that bad
Old 03-20-2006, 09:32 PM
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i'm sure you can use a dolly....what they mean by you can't tow it is "put it in neutral before you tow it"....if it's not your vehicle, then you can't tow it though cuz you are dragging the rear end (it's rear wheel drive)....it must suck to be a tow truck, cuz you have to know if it's front wheel drive or rear wheel....
Old 03-20-2006, 09:42 PM
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I think with the dolly you would want to remove the drive shaft so it won't put excessive wear on the trans on long distances. If you roll with the front wheels on the ground then wrap the seatbelt through the steering wheel and buckle it in. This is an extra safety measure in case the the steering lock breaks. I've had a few vehicles towed.
Old 03-22-2006, 03:34 PM
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Yeah, I was thinking if I towed it I could put it in neutral with no problem. But then the gears are still goin and it would cause heat and wear without the oil pumpin through. Disconnecting the driveshaft is a good idea. Then I thought putting the rear on it, but didn't even think about the steering lock lol so I ruled that out quick. UHaul wouldn't be a bad idea though, have to check into it to see how much it would cost. Thanks!!! Maybe a Uhaul towing dolly with the driveshaft removed. see which one is cheaper and easier.
Old 03-22-2006, 03:47 PM
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Just go to Uhaul and get the ful car open trailor. I used it to go to Joliet from the city and it worked great. It'll be fine to go to NJ too. Plus it's a safe trailor.
Old 03-22-2006, 03:48 PM
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One more for the Uhaul.
Old 04-01-2006, 08:53 PM
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I'm in the same situation except I have a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4. The U-Haul site say's my Jeep is too light to tow my camaro. I think that's BS because the Jeep weights about 4,000 Lbs.

Could you use the tow dolly, then back the car onto it and put the seat belt thru the steering wheel to hold it in place? The dolly is $222.00, the flatbet car trailer is $450 for a one way move. Pretty damn steep.
Old 04-01-2006, 10:28 PM
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i rented a open full trailer for like $50 from uhaul! works great!!!
Old 04-02-2006, 11:24 AM
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You could back the car up onto a dolly. The steering wheel locks with the key out but the seatbelt around the steering wheel just in case the steering lock breaks. I don't want to try it though.
Old 04-10-2006, 01:37 AM
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uhaul. my Z has logged many trips from my place to norwalk on a uhaul
Old 04-10-2006, 07:32 PM
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Get a U-haul trailer......
Old 04-10-2006, 07:39 PM
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My brother has gone from here to Columbus OH and back probably 30 times using a U-Haul trailer. Never had a problem.
Old 04-10-2006, 09:46 PM
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uhaul trailer man. like 40-50 bucks a day. tell them you are gonna trailer with a 2500hd though. they are kinda wierd about that. get an open double axle. way nicer than trying to dolly it.
Old 04-11-2006, 07:05 AM
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thanks for all of the help!!!!
Old 04-18-2006, 09:16 PM
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I'm in a similar situation. I ended up buy a 18' car trailer. After tax and with an electric brake controller I was into it for $2050. The chains and straps sent me back another $200. I think it's a pretty sound investment considering these things resale value is sky high and they are handy as hell for towing just about anything.

One thing I haven't decided on is how to hook up the front of the camaro with ratchet straps (10K straps that is). They have hooked ends. I'm thinking maybe wrapped around the lower "A" arms. Any ideas? For the back I'm using 5/8" chain wrapped around the axle.
Old 04-20-2006, 05:17 PM
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Lower A-Arms is how I always trailer cars.
Old 04-21-2006, 12:55 PM
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The jeep being too light is funny. We used to tow a 28' 5k+lb boat with a S-10 blazer 2 door. That thing could not have been more than 4klbs. Breaking sucked but with the 4.3 and TH350 it pulled pretty damn good.
Old 04-21-2006, 12:57 PM
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Oh and another for the U-Haul. We towed a 72 Chevelle from Indy area to Chicago with no problems. The speed rating is slow though. They rate it at like 45mph or something. We stayed below 60.


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