Where do I find out about a towbar for my 911?

[cantdrv55]

I'd like to look into towing my 911 to the track. Since my Xterra only has a 5000 lb towing capacity, I thought I'd opt for a towbar instead of a trailer bed. You know, drag the 911 along with all four wheels rolling.

Where can I go to find out the cost of a tow bar? How do I tow the car that way safely? Thanks.

[rusnak]

egads, no!!!!!

I've seen people tow a light weight tandem axle trailer with an S-10 blazer before. I'd do that before TOWING my own 911. For safety, I'd just use a heavy tow vehicle and a trailer with electronic brakes.

What do you do if you have to swerve to avoid a car or pedestrian. Or worse, jump on the brakes?

[jittsl]

I tow my GT3 behind a close relative of the XTerra (the Frontier) with no issues. 5000 lbs should be enough for a 3000??# car on a 1000# aluminum trailer. Half the point of trailering is to keep the miles off the car -- why would you want to drag the poor thing?

[tonythetarga]

Do you really need a trailer to tow a 911?

check out this thread.

[diverdan]

Flat towing is great just for the reasons you mentioned. Just about any towbar for a jeep or universal tow can do the job. One of the critical aspects of flat towing is to keep the angle af attatchments level. This can be done with a dropped ball hitch bar or a dropped bar. Cars with 50/50 balance are easy and cars with light front ends tow best. The only real disadvantage of flat towing is in the braking department as it is a little coplicated to set up the braking system on the towed vehicle. Tracking is not an issue with your combination. (I have flat towed various vehicle combinations in excess of 100,000 miles often more than 2,000 miles at a crack.) Oh yeah, backing up is not really an option.

Diverdan

[cantdrv55]

Originally posted by tonythetarga
Do you really need a trailer to tow a 911?

check out this thread.

I started that thread two years ago and I'm still confused due to so many conflicting advice and responses.

[tonythetarga]

OK then. Lets define some distances then. How far to/from track?

My neighbor tows with a dolly and loads his 911 on backwards so the rears are off the ground. Seems to work for him and he tows 300 miles each way.

Your truck can take it, the issue is whether towing in neutral causes drivetrain problems for the 911. I don't know the answer, but the old thread link I posted sure had a lot of guys that have done it with success.
Personally I use a trailer, but everyone needs to make their own choices.

[cantdrv55]

Thunderhill and Laguna Seca are equidistant from my house at about 125 miles one way.

I've seen several guys tow with the front wheels up and some with no wheels up. I've not heard any problems with those set-ups. At least none they care to admit anyway.

[djdsc]

At one time towing your Porsche was not such a bizarre concept. Here are ads from major Porsche suppliers from the mid ‘70’s offering both tow bars and trailer hitches.

The first ad from the electrodyne, inc. catalogue Fall 1975 issue. They also offered a tow hitch for the entire Porsche model line, 365 through ’75 911 and 914 for about $55.00.




Although miss labeled in their catalogue, the Nicolaus and Rosenberg Co. also offered a tow bar and tow hitch for the model line from their 1977 issue.

[MichiganMat]

Good thread.

Chris, Im probably going to put a tow-bar on my 911 here soon if for nothing else than to save myself about $1000. Towbars are so cheap and as long as I can find a good way to attach it, I can't see a reason not to do it. My first track day of the year is in the end of June, plenty of time to rig something up.

[Rick V]

I have a friend who uses a dolly with the rears up. He toes to Mid Ohio, thats a good stretch.
You might want to check the law, here in my region of the world tow-bars, that arn't bolted to the car being towed are against the law.

[cantdrv55]

Originally posted by MichiganMat
Good thread.

Chris, Im probably going to put a tow-bar on my 911 here soon if for nothing else than to save myself about $1000. Towbars are so cheap and as long as I can find a good way to attach it, I can't see a reason not to do it. My first track day of the year is in the end of June, plenty of time to rig something up.

Mat, when you've got this done, let us know. I'm sure quite a few BAPs will want to check out your set up.