Anyone towing a glider with their 911?

[Discseven]

Wondering if anyone is doing this and if so, what hitch setup is working?
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[fanaudical]

That sounds like an awfully specific use case...

[otto_kretschmer]

Is this to launch or transport?

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

That sounds like an awfully specific use case...

Hi Jim. Point here is I'd like to avoid getting another car. I've heard of 911's towing but am looking into further.

Originally Posted by otto_kretschmer

Is this to launch or transport?

Transport Otto. Gross loaded trailer weight would be aprox 2,100 lbs.


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[1990C4S]

It might help to be more specific about what 911 you own...

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

It might help to be more specific about what 911 you own...

'80 SC Targa with '85 3.2.

[GH85Carrera]

That would be a large load on a 915 transmission and cluthch. Nearly as much as the vehicle weighs.

If you are towing it a very short distance, maybe. I would expect a transmission rebuild in the near future to replace chewed up bearings in the differential.

[2.7RS]

Weight transfer while braking

Trailer jack knife due to extra length and single axle.

2100 lbs trailer on 2750 lbs 911

Not to mention the proper trailer hitch

I wouldn't do it.

But it's not my car or my plane

[otto_kretschmer]

Can you rent a truck to do the towing?

[matthewb0051]

I've hauled an 11+ ft SUP board on my long gone 993 C4

[911boost]

I would get a proper tow vehicle for that.

A 911 is a sports car.

[stevej37]

Should be easy....

[fanaudical]

Hey, Karl - I think a 2100 lb trailer is a bit much for a 911.

How often do you need to tow / move the glider and how far are you going? U-Haul and Home Depot both offer short term truck rentals. I don't use Uber, but you'd think there would be somebody on there offering tow services.

I've been meaning to try a check ride with the local glider club - it looks like fun...

[john70t]

It would look very cool.
But in traffic your pleasant trip would become a horn and idiot jerk magnet and cause stress.
Plus the car would break. Which would be expensive.

[Discseven]

Am with the crew on this one. Doesn't feel good. I did stumble on this online. Is supposedly for an '83...



Looks a legit doc but the tow weight seems odd even to my warped mind. I looked in my '80 owner's manual. Towing is not noted at all. Perhaps someone else could check owner's manual.

Answering a few questions... I planned a cross country run stopping at different glider fields along the way. Interest was to avoid getting a second car. Being gone for possibly months, renting a truck was also not appealing but that remains an open door. Clutch job, added weight on rear and so less on front (wheels), jack knife, not being able to steer clear of someone else's driving f-up as quickly etc... nothing good. I take risks but all that + is pushing it over a long distance haul.
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[fanaudical]

I've never tried this but you might inquire with Enterprise or Penske about a long-term pickup rental or short-term lease. They may have some deals. It might make sense to approach one of the dealerships about a short-term lease.

Companies like Fastenal sell their used delivery trucks (usually well-maintained). It might make sense to pick up a used pickup and sell again when your trip is over. Pickup resell is usually pretty good.

[ted]

Originally Posted by Discseven

Hi Jim. Point here is I'd like to avoid getting another car. I've heard of 911's towing but am looking into further.
Transport Otto. Gross loaded trailer weight would be aprox 2,100 lbs.


.

In my 20s I towed my Hobie 16 catamaran with a 70 240z.
It did ok and was ok on the freeway.

The upkeep on the 911 drivetrain would be expensive if it were stressed.
A weight distribution hitch might help take the tongue weight off the rear and put more weight on the front axle.
You need a cheap small pick up or mini van.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

I've never tried this but you might inquire with Enterprise or Penske about a long-term pickup rental or short-term lease. They may have some deals. It might make sense to approach one of the dealerships about a short-term lease.

Companies like Fastenal sell their used delivery trucks (usually well-maintained). It might make sense to pick up a used pickup and sell again when your trip is over. Pickup resell is usually pretty good.

Nice options Jim. Fastenal route is a beauty. Looking into that. Thanks. BTW, am sticking my nose into CAD. Onshape.

[911 Rod]

Can you leave the wings attached to lesson the tongue weight?

[Tim Hancock]

I towed my Minimax from Toledo to Oshkosh, Wisconsin (8hr drive) back in the mid 90's on a borrowed snowmobile trailer pulling it with my old '77 Porsche 924. Went right up through Chicago in rush hour traffic which was super scary.

I fabbed up some steel brackets to mount the removed wings on then the fuselage was on top of them. The trailer was way too short so my brackets extended about 4' off back of trailer and the tail was supported off that. It rode good but I was super worried about someone rear ending me which would have totaled the plane even with a light hit.

I had built a custom Reese style hitch for the 924. It was pretty slick... it bolted to the bumper shock bolts and was tucked up under the stock bumper. That car was rated at 95hp if that. lol

I got an "honorable" mention award for the plane at Oshkosh that year. I also pulled it another year there with my old little Nissan pickup.

I will have to find some old pictures tonight. It was a crazy looking rig going down the road. That said, the car pulled it fine even at 70mph on the turnpike.

The car





The Minimax plane