Towing 914 with tow dolly. Forward or backward

[piperpilotduane]

I'm going to tow my car to DE events with my tow dolly. Does anyone else do this and if so do you tow it by the front or the rear?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I have seen it done--always by the front. So far, I think everyone has used a custom-built tow dolly, usually mounted to the front trunk floor or the front torsion bar mounting points--or occasionally to the bumper mounts. I'd be a bit concerned about using those on 70-74 cars, but 75-76 if you had the stock hardware on there should be fine.

The 70-74 bumpers bolted onto the front of the fender wells, while the late bumpers mounted onto some rather hefty bracketry that tied into the front structure of the car.

...Hmm, come to think of it the late bumpers' "shock absorber" mounts might not like being pulled on... Uhhh, now I'm not sure...

--DD

[John Rogers]

I have a tow bar and "A" frame that uses the bumper mount holes in front to tow the car. The previous owner towed it all over CA and AZ w/o any problems. Just do not try to back up! Good luck

[roadtrp204]

If I understand the original question, tow dolly- two wheel half trailer that support half of a car in tow either forward or backward.
If you tow it with rear wheels on the ground:

• The car's suspension and steering is designed for forward motion.
• The transmission is manual so there is no problems with lubrication while in tow.
• Not positive but I think the odometer will advance.
• Transmission is being rotated but with no load so minimal wear on bearings.

If you tow it with front wheels on the ground:

• Front wheel will have tow out in a reverse direction that increases with speed, possible noticeable tire wear patterns.
• Steering wheel has to be tied to keep front end from driving in a different lane than you.

To me rear wheels on the ground is the best choice. I towed mine a short distance with fronts on the ground because of no engine/tranny and the axle shafts were hanging. It felt squirly and unstable to tow backwards.

[josh912]

Unfortunately I had to tow the 912 with a dolly last night. Towed it by the front wheels and it worked fine.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

A couple more minuses, Chris:

•The roof latching system is designed to withstand air flowing over it forward, and can be a bit "iffy" backwards
•The rear trunk is not designed to have 70 MPH air hitting it's rear edge

...I know of one 914 that lost its roof while being towed (on a trailer!) backwards. Luckily, no real damage to anything except the roof panel. I also know one 914 whose rear trunk latch failed while it was being towed backwards--I forget if it was on a trailer or a dolly. The fact that the hinges are pretty securely attached meant that there was a lot more damage to that one...

--DD

[piperpilotduane]

OK Forward it is!

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

...Oh, I should also mention that I've read on this very BBS at least one story about a 914 being towed forward when the front trunk lid opened. But you should notice that there are two latch "stops" that have to fail before the lid can actually open.

I also know at least one person who has had their front deck lid open up while driving. Though I think the latch itself was faulty on her car...

--DD

[maf 914]

Dave,

Your comment about "pulling" the 75-76 bumpers caught my eye. These cars had a front tow ring welded to the front trunk floor and a rear tow ring (in the factory tool pouch) that screwed into the rear bumper (threaded insert covered by a rubber plug in the bumper cover). Pull the rear but not the front? I wonder.

Mike

[david m. bruce]

I don't have a tow dolly. But, as with a lot of 914 guys, the motor is out or otherwise dead and you need to drag it around to somebody's shop. Is it possible to weld some attachment plates to the front pan...corresponding to the general area where the tow loop mounts.. to allow for easy bolt-on,unbolt of an A-frame tow bar?? Is that area strong enough to tow without stressing the uni-body?

I was thinking that horizontal flat plates on each side could easily take an A-frame with a matching flat end (provided the A-frame has some way to allow for vertical movement at the bumper)??

[BKOMAR]

I started this thread a while back...check it out... Brian http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2840&highlight=towing