Towing a 911, four down

[nota]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

I have a 2 wheeled car dolly that I use quite a bit towing cars or trucks (mine is the wide version). The best way for the tail to wag the dog, so to speak, is to tow something with the heavy end down on the pavement and the lightweight end up on the dolly.

I tried towing a Datsun 280ZXT with the rear end up on the dolly mainly because the non-running car was parked with it's nose up to a building. Needless to say about 5 miles down the road, I pulled into a truckstop and turned the car around on the dolly. For 5 miles it had swayed back and forth, and almost made the tow vehicle wipe out from the swinging and swaying.

A porsche 911 would be better with the heavy rearend up on the dolly, and the front tires on the pavement with the steering locked and in gear.

set the towed car wheels to toe out at the front
when towed backwards they will be toe in and self-steer to follow the towing RV
you also need to tie down the steering wheel to prevent play = wander

[jwasbury]

I towed around a car (not 911) on an open car trailer behind a vintage motor home and I would not recommend it. Way underpowered, and there are many places we stayed where that trailer was a huge liability. Added stress to the journey, and if I were to do it over flat towing the "dingy" would be my choice.

Some people I met and befriended on my RV journey were a family of 5 who were full timing in an older Winnebago. They flat towed a VW thing all over the country for years, never seemed to have any issues with the trans. VW thing <> 911, but I'd expect they are pretty similar

To address any concerns about oil circulation in the trans, couldn't you install something like this:
http://www.patrickmotorsports.com/part/g50-930-915-911-901-transmission-oil-cooler-system-trans-gearbox/
You could wire up the pump so that it could be plugged into a 12v source from the motorhome to circulate the gear oil while flat towing.

[9dreizig]

I tow my Saturn Vue,, and I have to say ,, ARE YOU NUTS ?? the crap that will be thrown up from the RV will absolutely trash your 911.. DON"T DO IT!!!

[tevake]

I sure do appreciate this discussion and all the links, some I had not found before .
Clearly there are many opinions and generalities at play on the subject.

The threads I had not come across before were some of the ones with real long term successful experience at towing 911s four down. This supports my original conclusions
And helps me move forward with the plan.

There is one more question About my particular setup that that has me wondering if the choices I've made will work out OK.

Because of the very long overhang at the back of the airstream, I was concerned about attaching the tow bar to a point under the car. Thinking that the angle of the tow bar would not allow enough range of travel to accommodate the up and down motion between the two vehicles as they move over the unavoidable uneven terrain encountered.

So I chose to use the receivers that mount behind the bumper, replacing the original bumper struts and meant to be used for tow hooks for track use. Attaching the tow bar at the bumper on the car will allow much freer range of travel for the tow bar.
The supplier of the receiver strut says it's meant for track use only . This seems to me a way to avoid liability from possible road accidents. But is a little worrying.
The use in a track situation typically would involve a single strap hooked to one point, using only one strut to pull the car.
My use will be spreading the load to both struts.
Anyone here familiar with these struts and their mounting to the tub? Thoughts on their suitability for my application.

Thanks again for the helpful input.

Cheers Richard

[lgb240]

For about the price of a rebuilt transmission, you could get a used trailex - 840lbs empty. I've pulled a 911 with much less RV than you have, and it's like it's not back there.
Save the wear and tear on your car ...

[tevake]

We'll that oil cooler with circulation pump would certainly do the trick in solving the problem, thanks for that Jwasbury.

9dreizig, I hear you, and that was my original concern too. But after a year of looking at towed vehicles and talking with RVers. I've seen many that had been dragged around for years with very little cosmetic damage visible. I guess it depends on lots of factors, the types of roads traveled, the measures used to minimize the damage, etc.

Did you use the stone gaurd at the back bumper, or the Sheild on the tow bar just in front of the towed car? This combination seem quite effective at keeping damage to a minimum.
Plus as I mentioned earlier my car is a driver. With some stone chips and a very pitted original windschield that I own to enjoy using, just can't imagine going up to Colorado for a couple weeks in the spring and having the SC sitting here in Az. Or up to the Pacific N W this summer and not be able to get into cruising the great roads and sites on offer there.
I'm a DIY owner and really do love my SC and don't intend to trash it. But my plans are to enjoy traveling and exploring this great land focusing on areas that are great to experience from the seat of a fun sports car.

I may come to see it as you do, but really want to enclude the Porsche in my travel adventures.
Thanks for your concern!

Cheers Richard

[tevake]

WOW [img]
Lgb 240. That is a great rig you have there for heading to the track.
Love the low cut wrap around wind screen, and knockoff wire wheels on your MG A

If I had that trailer is sight a year ago I might have gone that way. Most that I came across here were closer to 1,500 lbs and around $5K..
There is still the storage difficulties in parking at parks and at places where I may stay for longer periods.
I don't have a home base yet here on the mainland, and am full timing in my motorhome, so have to keep stuff to a minimum, another consideration

I did an epic winter trip from Fla to Seatle Wa. In an MG A. Back in the day.
Quite the adventure. Can remember driving in a blizzard in Tex. wrapped in a sleeping bag for warmth. Stopping under an overpass in the wee hours. Climbing onto the hood and sleeping till the engine heat was overcome by the sub freezing air temps. Forcing me back on the road.
Not wanting to hijack my own thread, but would love to see more of your A.

Cheers Richard

[9dreizig]

Ok Tevake, if you're committed to going that way I'd tell you to get some sort of stone shield to protect it.. it will still be way into the slip stream so no worries about wind resistance.. maybe a clear coat bra,, or HEY, I've got a 911 bra I'll GIVE you just pay shipping !!!

[tevake]

Very kind offer Todd!
If I am unable to find a reasonable deal on a shield to put on the tow bar, I'll PM you to take you up on that.

Thanks Richard

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by lgb240

For about the price of a rebuilt transmission, you could get a used trailex - 840lbs empty. I've pulled a 911 with much less RV than you have, and it's like it's not back there.
Save the wear and tear on your car ...

^is the "much less rv" you pulled a 911 with the Roadtrek class B in the picture? That Roadtrek probably has as much or more HP than the old Airstream, plus it will weigh a lot less. I have a trailex and they are fantastic, you have a great set up there.

Originally Posted by tevake

There is still the storage difficulties in parking at parks and at places where I may stay for longer periods.

^this...I spent a year living in a vintage RV (Bluebird Wanderlodge), and the car trailer was a real PITA in a bunch of places I stayed.

[GWN7]

Here's a stone guard. PVC mesh. Light weight. Price shown is $285 but you could build it for a lot less.

[tevake]

What was I thinking, Todd, I would appreciate the bra that you offered. Why not use another layer of protection while towing.

Check your PM. For my address and contact info. You can let me know what to sent to you.

Thanks for the generous offer.

Cheers Richard

[upwardr]

Heard a storey about a camper towing a vw behind dingy fashion but forgot and left it in first gear, after cruising at 60 mph noticed the smoke. Too late!

[LakeCleElum]

I have a project 911 stored out back. It's a '69 911T that has had just one owner. He spent his retirement years towing it behind his motorhome with a tow bar....Reports over 20,000 miles are just "tow miles"..........No trans issues at all.......

Lots of people on the internet with "theories", very few with first hand experience....

[tevake]

^^. Glad to hear more confirmation of my thoughts. That the 911 can be towed with out undue consequences . Thanks Bob!

I did post my question here because I recognize there is a lot of experience and diverse backgrounds to draw from. Sure some opinions come along too.
But ultimately the info I was looking for came to light also. Plus many good points to consider.

Just yesterday I went by a metal fab shop to get the brackets made to connect the tow bar to the bumper/receivers.

The last piece of the system is a rock Sheild to mount just in front of the car on the tow bar. The search continues. So far craigslist has come up with descent deal on the other components needed.
This Sheild plus the bra Todd offered should keep the road debris damage to a minimum.
Really stoked to think of heading to Colorado in mid April with the SC in tow . Heading to a classic airstream motorhome gathering near Colorado Springs, should be fun.
And close to Pikes Peak, just one of the drives I'm hoping to do with the SC.

Cheers Richard

[ckelly78z]

Some open snowmobile trailers have a molded fiberglass nose cone that protects the sleds from kicked up snow, salt, stones, slush, maybe you could find such a device and adapt it to a proper aluminum car hauler.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

Some open snowmobile trailers have a molded fiberglass nose cone that protects the sleds from kicked up snow, salt, stones, slush, maybe you could find such a device and adapt it to a proper aluminum car hauler.

$230 (free delivery) @ Caliber 13401 Poly Shield III Series Snowmobile Trailer HDPE Plastic Salt Guard - 25.5 Inches Tall | MFG# 13401 | CPS-13401 | Hanna Trailer Supply Oak Creek, Wisconsin

[tevake]

Originally Posted by GWN7

Here's a stone guard. PVC mesh. Light weight. Price shown is $285 but you could build it for a lot less.

This one does interest me. Been googling to find it with no luck.
Do you have a link or details.

Thanks Richard

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by tevake

This one does interest me. Been googling to find it with no luck.
Do you have a link or details.

Thanks Richard

Here it is but it's in Australia: http://www.brisbanecampertrailers.com.au/accessories/

Here is a few more: https://www.google.ca/search?q=PVC+Mesh+Trailer+stone+guard&biw=1067&bih=485&tbm=isch&imgil=7DkW_E-zj6g73M%253A%253Bxajy3vYVrlZuNM%253Bhttp%25253A%25 252F%25252Fwww.tsrcst.com%25252Fcp%25252Fhtml%2525 2F%25253F81.html&source=iu&pf=m&fir=7DkW_E-zj6g73M%253A%252Cxajy3vYVrlZuNM%252C_&usg=__-UO_5oAeDCbnpmSdveQRu-vL4_Y%3D&ved=0CDUQyjc&ei=LMrkVI7GL7WTsQTfwoKQDw#imgdii=_&imgrc=7DkW_E-zj6g73M%253A%3Bxajy3vYVrlZuNM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252 Fwww.tsrcst.com%252Fpic%252F201209201348102760875. jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.tsrcst.com%252Fcp%252 Fhtml%252F%253F81.html%3B560%3B440

[CTIIpilot]

So what happened? Any success towing your 911?