I have one of those dollies that you put 2 tires of a car on and tow behind a truck. Think behind a Motorhome. What I want to do it put the BACK tires on my spool equipped maverick up on the Dollie and pull it at hi-way speeds for 5 hrs. Is there a reason I should not do this? Any experience?
I don`t see where it would hurt anything riding on the fronts,what is the diff in that than normal driving a street car that far,Just keep the front bearings well greased w/ the red synthetic grease & you should be ok.
Make certain you can positively lock the front wheels in a straight line...Dont want it turning corners at will. The front end trailing behind will cause some toe in to occur...This could adversely wear your front tires depending on how far you are travelling...5 Hrs sayes...Lots of miles.
I vote bad idea - this is why. Tow dollies will support a major portion of the weight of the car, which is the front half because of the engine, transmission and all the steering and everything else up there. The rear axle is made to trail along back there moving in a forward direction. If you turn the car backwards, now you have most of the weight riding on the pavement, not the dolly. That can cause a whip effect and make the towed vehicle sway uncontrollably. And it can get squirrelly from the caster now going down the road backwards too. Ask a tow dolly rental place. They all recommend to never tow backwards.
Eric is right, I've been there, done that, won't do it again..... I pulled a 82 T bird backwards like that once about 30 miles. Couldn't run over 35 mph or it would get to fish tailing. A white knuckle ride home for sure. I'd put it on the dolly the right way,and pull the driveshaft out. Much safer.
You drive it on the streets with the spool...what difference will it make dragging it with the spool? It may still chirp a bit on turns, but it does that anyways. Just drag it. I would pull the drive shaft from the rear and tie it up, just to keep it from spinning the transmission. I have done it both ways, with shaft pulled and with it installed. Never had any issues either way. But just in case....pull it if you can.
Don't tow with the rear wheels rolling if it's an automatic unless you are up to removing the driveshaft. It'll trash the tranny, all the innards are turning without the pump running (no lube). The Rambler I bought last year was towed 1900 miles like this, the pint or so of fluid left in the trans was black as ink, most of the remaining fluid was sprayed out all over the rear of the car...
