V8 Sonoma GT
Mile High SyTy
Has anybody ever attempted it?
Flat tow a Sy
- Thread starter V8 Sonoma GT
- Start date
Syclone #1188
New member
Re: Flat tow a Sy
Do you mean tow it with all four wheels on the ground. Like when pulling a car behind a motorhome?
Do you mean tow it with all four wheels on the ground. Like when pulling a car behind a motorhome?
gstacky
Member
Re: Flat tow a Sy
Flat tow will be fine to get it off the road, but any distance will eat up the transmission. Transmissions have no way to pump oil with the engine off, the pump is on the input portion of the transmission, so the transmission spinning without the engine running means no oil pressure, so damage will occur, but how far you can go is unknown. Towing on a dolly with the rear shaft out and rear tires on the ground will have no issues.
Flat tow will be fine to get it off the road, but any distance will eat up the transmission. Transmissions have no way to pump oil with the engine off, the pump is on the input portion of the transmission, so the transmission spinning without the engine running means no oil pressure, so damage will occur, but how far you can go is unknown. Towing on a dolly with the rear shaft out and rear tires on the ground will have no issues.
V8 Sonoma GT
Mile High SyTy
Re: Flat tow a Sy
No trans. Or engine for that matter. Drive and propshafts removed. 2k milesfrom LA to CO Springs
No trans. Or engine for that matter. Drive and propshafts removed. 2k milesfrom LA to CO Springs
gstacky
Member
Re: Flat tow a Sy
Then it wouldn't be a problem, just remember to unlock the steering column lol. I would go with a tow dolly myself, rather than messing with attaching a tow bar.
Then it wouldn't be a problem, just remember to unlock the steering column lol. I would go with a tow dolly myself, rather than messing with attaching a tow bar.
V8 Sonoma GT
Mile High SyTy
Re: Flat tow a Sy
Yea tow dolly was my first idea, but dragging one jumping around the first 2k miles is not something I'm excited about. And the dollys are kind of expensive, or at least the ones I would wanna use...
Yea tow dolly was my first idea, but dragging one jumping around the first 2k miles is not something I'm excited about. And the dollys are kind of expensive, or at least the ones I would wanna use...
Slyclone
Well-known member
Re: Flat tow a Sy
Ron when I got my truck I called a u haul a few miles from where I was picking truck up.
I did. Not have my tráiler inspected at time so I drove a few hours out and hooked in the state where truck was.... Call LA u haul abd scheduwl to pick up you know?
Ron when I got my truck I called a u haul a few miles from where I was picking truck up.
I did. Not have my tráiler inspected at time so I drove a few hours out and hooked in the state where truck was.... Call LA u haul abd scheduwl to pick up you know?
Sy644
DEAF Syclone
Re: Flat tow a Sy
i hauled my sy from reno to iowa, with dolly. removed driveshaft. no problem at all.
i suggest u use haul dolly as local and tell them ull need it for 2 days or 3
if u pick it up at different state and drop off at different state cost u more.local is better deal.
i hauled my sy from reno to iowa, with dolly. removed driveshaft. no problem at all.
i suggest u use haul dolly as local and tell them ull need it for 2 days or 3
if u pick it up at different state and drop off at different state cost u more.local is better deal.
V8 Sonoma GT
Mile High SyTy
Re: Flat tow a Sy
Understand the tow dollys alure. My point is, the rental fees of the dolly, are nearly half of buying one. Flat towing nearly half that. Also trying to keep the weight down. Towing with bravada
Understand the tow dollys alure. My point is, the rental fees of the dolly, are nearly half of buying one. Flat towing nearly half that. Also trying to keep the weight down. Towing with bravada
V8 Sonoma GT
Mile High SyTy
Re: Flat tow a Sy
The other prob is sometimes the uhaul guys will be dbags and not rent it to you saying, the tow truck is not big enough, even if I told them I was towing a geo metro. Trust me I've been down this road with these guys
The other prob is sometimes the uhaul guys will be dbags and not rent it to you saying, the tow truck is not big enough, even if I told them I was towing a geo metro. Trust me I've been down this road with these guys
NOJIMMY
New member
Re: Flat tow a Sy
Hey Ron
I wonder if a vehicle transport service (open trailer) would be an option, given
-The rental cost of a dolly, trailer, or truck/trailer
-The towing cost of gas, motel, and food (forgetting the speeding tickets)
-The insurance (tire blow outs, maintenance/overheating, and bad roads/drivers/accidents)
-The stress/strain on you, towing vehicle and work absence
-The likelihood of requiring a passenger for aid/assistance
Sometimes "advertising" on forums identifies folks with trailers who are in need
of a load that can pickup/deliver cheaply (especially if passing through Colorado).
I've even heard of sellers of vehicles "chipping in" with transport costs to boost
sales.
Seems like a bunch of folks are out of work, have diesel trucks, and are looking for
undeclared "cash".
Just thinking outloud...
-Larry
Hey Ron
I wonder if a vehicle transport service (open trailer) would be an option, given
-The rental cost of a dolly, trailer, or truck/trailer
-The towing cost of gas, motel, and food (forgetting the speeding tickets)
-The insurance (tire blow outs, maintenance/overheating, and bad roads/drivers/accidents)
-The stress/strain on you, towing vehicle and work absence
-The likelihood of requiring a passenger for aid/assistance
Sometimes "advertising" on forums identifies folks with trailers who are in need
of a load that can pickup/deliver cheaply (especially if passing through Colorado).
I've even heard of sellers of vehicles "chipping in" with transport costs to boost
sales.
Seems like a bunch of folks are out of work, have diesel trucks, and are looking for
undeclared "cash".
Just thinking outloud...
-Larry
DaveP
Active member
Re: Flat tow a Sy
This will be TLDR for most of you, but it's really for Ron:
First off, Colorado Springs is only 1,175 miles from Los Angeles. Not 2,000. So your expenses and elapsed times are going to be shorter than you calculate for 2,000 miles. Unless you're not doing the trip direct.
I've Dinghy Towed SyTy's numerous times. My #1230 came from Ft Meyers FL to Los Angeles, 2,750 miles, red/gry 92 from Breckenridge CO to Los Angeles, 1,000 miles, Neil's Sy from Los Angeles to Indy ~2,000 miles. I've flat towed other Sy's locally as well. It's not a big deal, they tow well, and it takes about an hour or so to set up once on site. The biggest issue is having enough brake on the tow car to be safe. Engine-less SyTy's will be fine behind a Bravada. Niel's complete Syclone with 1,500 lbs of extra engines and transmission etc in the bed was heavy for the AWD Blazer. I was OK, but it wasn't the "safest" trip I've ever made. I've never had any problems, but I take my time, am well-prepared, and frankly, I know what I'm doing. I've been towing stuff all over the country for over 45 years.
Having the correct equipment is key. I have a Reese collapsible tow bar and a custom bracket I bolt to the front frame horns after removing the grill and front bumper. I have a lighting harness that I string under the truck to the LR that plugs into a Syclone's factory harness. On Typhoons I make the connection under the dash after removing the hush panel for access. And of course remove the drive shafts and tie them up and out of the way of spinning yokes. I have a big safety chain that goes from the tow car to the frame on the SyTy which I wrap around the tow bar to keep it off the pavement. I only use one chain, but I'm pretty sure you have to have two now to be DOT Legal. I've never been accosted for it.
I take a floor jack and cribbing or ramps with me so I can work under the truck safely :myclone: to remove the drive shafts if applicable. Be sure to ask about condition of the tires (or take some with you), the torque on the front axle shafts, and that the steering linkage is complete and functional. If the seller doesn't know, check the diff's lube levels so you don't burn stuff up, but most importantly don't have a breakdown on the side of the Interstate where you can get hit. The front alignment has to be sort of close, or it won't track safely under tow. Be sure the SyTy is ready to tow. One other consideration with a Dinghy Tow is that the vehicle needs to be registered to be legal, as it is on the highway. Personally, I'd bring a current plate from a different vehicle and slap it on. Chances of getting 'caught' are slim to none.
What are you using for a Tow Bar? Depending on your timing, I may be able to let you use mine. I'll be traveling through Co Springs on June 3 or 4 and could pick it up from you then. But I absolutely, 100% must be sure there's a plan for me to get it back, or I won't loan it. I use it frequently.
I also will be traveling from Los Angeles to Tucson on Friday May 30. I will be in Tucson over that weekend until leaving on the 3rd for Denver. I will be dead-heading my Super Duty to Tucson where I'll pick up my Corvette in its trailer for the trip to Denver. I could bring your "prize" to you in Tucson, which is 850 miles from Co Springs. Saves 650 miles over doing the entire trip yourself. Plus your "prize" would be all rigged and ready to go. Something to think about, again if the timing works for you. My schedule isn't flexible for this trip. The dates are fixed.. Maybe yours isn't either. If it works it works.
,
Anyway there's some ideas and hints, and opportunities. Flat towing is no big deal, and works well as the lowest-cost transport method for non-running vehicles. Being well-prepared, having good tires on both vehicles, and not allowing yourself to be rushed, are the keys to an uneventful trip. The way itshould be.
Good Luck
This will be TLDR for most of you, but it's really for Ron:
First off, Colorado Springs is only 1,175 miles from Los Angeles. Not 2,000. So your expenses and elapsed times are going to be shorter than you calculate for 2,000 miles. Unless you're not doing the trip direct.
I've Dinghy Towed SyTy's numerous times. My #1230 came from Ft Meyers FL to Los Angeles, 2,750 miles, red/gry 92 from Breckenridge CO to Los Angeles, 1,000 miles, Neil's Sy from Los Angeles to Indy ~2,000 miles. I've flat towed other Sy's locally as well. It's not a big deal, they tow well, and it takes about an hour or so to set up once on site. The biggest issue is having enough brake on the tow car to be safe. Engine-less SyTy's will be fine behind a Bravada. Niel's complete Syclone with 1,500 lbs of extra engines and transmission etc in the bed was heavy for the AWD Blazer. I was OK, but it wasn't the "safest" trip I've ever made. I've never had any problems, but I take my time, am well-prepared, and frankly, I know what I'm doing. I've been towing stuff all over the country for over 45 years.
Having the correct equipment is key. I have a Reese collapsible tow bar and a custom bracket I bolt to the front frame horns after removing the grill and front bumper. I have a lighting harness that I string under the truck to the LR that plugs into a Syclone's factory harness. On Typhoons I make the connection under the dash after removing the hush panel for access. And of course remove the drive shafts and tie them up and out of the way of spinning yokes. I have a big safety chain that goes from the tow car to the frame on the SyTy which I wrap around the tow bar to keep it off the pavement. I only use one chain, but I'm pretty sure you have to have two now to be DOT Legal. I've never been accosted for it.
I take a floor jack and cribbing or ramps with me so I can work under the truck safely :myclone: to remove the drive shafts if applicable. Be sure to ask about condition of the tires (or take some with you), the torque on the front axle shafts, and that the steering linkage is complete and functional. If the seller doesn't know, check the diff's lube levels so you don't burn stuff up, but most importantly don't have a breakdown on the side of the Interstate where you can get hit. The front alignment has to be sort of close, or it won't track safely under tow. Be sure the SyTy is ready to tow. One other consideration with a Dinghy Tow is that the vehicle needs to be registered to be legal, as it is on the highway. Personally, I'd bring a current plate from a different vehicle and slap it on. Chances of getting 'caught' are slim to none.
What are you using for a Tow Bar? Depending on your timing, I may be able to let you use mine. I'll be traveling through Co Springs on June 3 or 4 and could pick it up from you then. But I absolutely, 100% must be sure there's a plan for me to get it back, or I won't loan it. I use it frequently.
I also will be traveling from Los Angeles to Tucson on Friday May 30. I will be in Tucson over that weekend until leaving on the 3rd for Denver. I will be dead-heading my Super Duty to Tucson where I'll pick up my Corvette in its trailer for the trip to Denver. I could bring your "prize" to you in Tucson, which is 850 miles from Co Springs. Saves 650 miles over doing the entire trip yourself. Plus your "prize" would be all rigged and ready to go. Something to think about, again if the timing works for you. My schedule isn't flexible for this trip. The dates are fixed.. Maybe yours isn't either. If it works it works.
,
Anyway there's some ideas and hints, and opportunities. Flat towing is no big deal, and works well as the lowest-cost transport method for non-running vehicles. Being well-prepared, having good tires on both vehicles, and not allowing yourself to be rushed, are the keys to an uneventful trip. The way itshould be.
Good Luck
Last edited:
V8 Sonoma GT
Mile High SyTy
Re: Flat tow a Sy
Dave, please dont delete your post. I would like to review at a later late. I "may" be able to make that date work.
Jeff, we should talk too...
Dave, please dont delete your post. I would like to review at a later late. I "may" be able to make that date work.
Jeff, we should talk too...
V8 Sonoma GT
Mile High SyTy
Re: Flat tow a Sy
Dave, how can i contact you?
Dave, how can i contact you?
V8 Sonoma GT
Mile High SyTy
Re: Flat tow a Sy
Dave P and I are meeting up this weekend in Tuscon. Jeff, thanks for the offer, but this is gonna work out smooth.
Dave, I was thinking of pulling Bravada propshaft for this whole trip (blocking tires at any stops) meant to ask you earlier what you think of that idea?
Dave P and I are meeting up this weekend in Tuscon. Jeff, thanks for the offer, but this is gonna work out smooth.
Dave, I was thinking of pulling Bravada propshaft for this whole trip (blocking tires at any stops) meant to ask you earlier what you think of that idea?