Learn me: towing with a tow-bar, 4 wheels down

Thinking about towing an autox car to and from events this season. I never drive the car on the roads (except to and from events) so I'm considering skipping the insurance and registration since I never drive it.

I really don't have the space for a tow dolly or trailer to hang out, but I could get some quick connects for the front bumper and keep a tow bar. (You know, like people put little cars behind their motorhomes).

Anyone done this much? What do I need to know? Good idea? Bad idea? Do you leave the steering locked on the car while it is towed or do you leave the key in so the steering wheel can spin?

My tow rig would be my 84 f250 4x4 diesel, so i'm not worried about capacity there. Incidentally, I do already own a cheap HF tow bar setup that I used once to tow a jeep with another jeep for a short distance... it seemed to work ok, but we learned that backing up really isn't much of an option.

Some states require a car to be registered if there are any wheels on the ground, might want to check that out.

Key in the ignition, column unlocked so the wheels can turn.

I did that with an Auto-X X-1/9. PITA swapping tires on & off at the track. Evan's right about registering, true in NY but I never got hassled.

Some cars won't work with a tow bar, and I have never figured out a way to know which ones without trying.

Beyond that and the tire issue, I've done tens of thousands of miles with an Opel on a tow bar behind something else without any major incidents.

I flat-towed my GLH challenge car from MI to FL and back. No issues related to towing, just crap tires. I've also flat-towed a CJ-7 all over MI as well. I always left the steering unlocked and plan on never backing up more than 5' straight, or 5" while turning. You'll have to get used the the sensation that the prick behind you will NOT STOP tailgating you the first few times you do it

I flat towed a light car for a few years both when I auto-Xed and when I started road racing. The one thing I did was make a light bar that attached to the bumper of my "race car" and that plugged into the lights on the tow vehicle. This way I had running lights, brake lights, and turn signals. It's much easier to do this then try to wire the lights into the towed vehicle.

I flat towed my auto-x car for 3 years a long time ago. Sounds like your setup would be better than mine (SAAB 96 towing a Morris Minor 1000). Biggest problem with flat towing is the brakes. In my case I was trying to stop twice the intended weight. The suggestions about light bars, ignition swithches and checking state laws are good ones.

oldopelguy wrote: Some cars won't work with a tow bar, and I have never figured out a way to know which ones without trying.

Cars with large amounts of caster built in to the alignment are difficult to get to turn when being flat towed. They want to keep going straight.

Ive flat towed my Aries some and it worked out really well. I love my dolley as much as the next guy but once you're set up with all the brackets and wiring, it is amazingly easy to just slap the tow bar on a car and drive away. The first time i really used my tow bar setup on the aries i was giddy over how easily it went.

Well actually, the FIRST time i towed it on the tow bar it had loose inner tie rods and scrubbed about 50% off a new set of tires in the space of 2 miles. But after i fixed that, it was sweet!

Flat towed the spitfire for several years. Changing tires twice on raceday is a total PIA. (Especially at the end of the day)

After one brainfade incident where I left the lug nuts loose, and spit off a wheel half way home......Then I went and bought a trailer...

Rog

Whoa! WHOA right there!!! What is this steering wheel lock BS on a track car!!!????

Xnay that E36 M3e

emodspitfire wrote: Flat towed the spitfire for several years. Changing tires twice on raceday is a total PIA. (Especially at the end of the day) After one brainfade incident where I left the lug nuts loose, and spit off a wheel half way home......Then I went and bought a trailer... Rog

Been there, done that! LOL!

Lost a LF wheel on the Edens expressway just north of Chicago. Had to have the towed car towed off the highway and I never did find that wheel/tire that decided to leave suddenly.

In reply to bentwrench:

this is an excellent point, truth is I just haven't removed it yet. up until nowish i would occasionally park the car in public somewhere, and rather it not drive away before i get back.

Thanks to all for the replies. I'm checking the laws and will take the feedback about tires and wheels. no worse than all the guys who trailer race wheels in stock class though...