Ideas Needed for Towing a Car Inexpensively

[Mek-a-nik]

I haven't been on here for a while, but as my need to tow this car has developed, I knew there are people on here who would have ideas.
The car is an '87 Mustang that is a toy that I drive on nice days, and take to the drag strip once in a blue moon. Driving it there is risky because if it breaks, it is a REAL hassle getting towed home. (I learned the hard way.)
I have a pick up that will pull it, but I can't justify the expense of a trailer when the trips to the track are so infrequent. Besides, I really don't have the room for it. I looked into a tow dolly, but it seems they have to tow the car with the front wheels on it. Towing with the rear wheels on it causes stability issues, as the caster would be "backwards". I would need to be able to put the back wheels on the dolly in the event of a driveline failure.
I'm thinking of some kind of simple sling-type tow rig that could be bolted into the bed (maybe combined w/ a hitch) just for the trips to the track. Being that I would only be towing the one type car, maybe it could be built in a simple way, with a manual winch and a one-off rigging arrangement.
Maybe a tow dolly type of deal that would be mounted to the bed and hitch, eliminating the pivot which causes the handling issues. The dolly would be on the ground, put the car on, and then crank the dolly off the ground. Thinking out loud, now.
Maybe an existing tow dolly could be modified to do this.

[KE4AVB]

Have check into the auto transport trailer rentals like U-haul have. This might be cost effective alternative especially for limited use and limited storage space.

I have towed RWD car when I was younger with a tow truck with the steering wheel tied straight. Usually road fairly straight but didn't do to often but where times I had no choice especially when rear half was demolished.

For me I just went with a 16' with a 6-1/2 wide bed tandem trailer 20+ years ago and it get used for about anything I need to move. Only one draw back to mine and that is I need enter the vehicle thru the window or trunk as the rails are in the way. Just put an electric winch on it so I can load and unload those big ZTRs with 61-72" decks. It is a tight squeeze on the 72" models with only a few inches to spare.

[bgsengine]

I agree with KE4 - Get a U-Haul foll tow trailer rental - they are reasonable and they have trailers that can load the whole car on it (What I did when I moved back here from Miami)

[RoyM]

They will want to know the truck's towing capacity before renting the trailer.

[KE4AVB]

That's makes sense...

Here something I did with one their moving vans that they probably would have had kittens or fits about if they knew it. I used my 5000 lbs trailer to move one my storage buildings that was loaded with tools and parts about 10 miles over 20 yrs ago. I had people taking double takes as I progress to the new site for the building. I was needing the braking power of the big van as I had go down a steep hill. Probably was 4000 lbs plus the 1500 lbs for the trailer.

[Mek-a-nik]

I have considered UHaul. As mentioned, they require towing capacity of the towing vehicle. I have a 95 1/2 ton F150. Not enough for the legal department, but it'll pull my 2900 lb. Mustang the 80 miles on the 50 mph state roads without problem. They also take a few days notice to get the trailer in the correct location. If it decides to rain in that time, I'm not going racing. Rental worthless.
Not an easy solution, here. But I know there is an answer.

[bgsengine]

I have considered UHaul. As mentioned, they require towing capacity of the towing vehicle. I have a 95 1/2 ton F150. Not enough for the legal department, but it'll pull my 2900 lb. Mustang the 80 miles on the 50 mph state roads without problem. They also take a few days notice to get the trailer in the correct location. If it decides to rain in that time, I'm not going racing. Rental worthless.
Not an easy solution, here. But I know there is an answer.

You could always rent one of THEIR trucks with the trailer added on and use the truck to haul your tools and spares as well, no?

[okie]

Take a look at this. People with Motor homes uses theses all the time.



https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c ... +bar&ajr=0

Also Harbor Freight has some that are very reasonable.


Okie

[Mek-a-nik]

You could always rent one of THEIR trucks with the trailer added on and use the truck to haul your tools and spares as well, no?

I'd have to price it. It cost $300 to get towed home IF it breaks. That and they still need that lead time to get the rig to the rental location.

Take a look at this. People with Motor homes uses theses all the time.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c ... +bar&ajr=0
Also Harbor Freight has some that are very reasonable.
Okie

Only problem is; if it breaks an axle or differential, I can't flat tow it.

Thanks, guys!

[okie]

Are you going to a demolition derby?