Different ways to tow a 944

TNT25169 · 12-03-2007, 11:00 AM

Everytime I have towed a 944, I have used a flatbed trailer. I am about to drive 6 hours to get another one and gas mileage is greatly dimished by pulling an empty flatbed trailer. Has anyone used a 2-wheel dolly type trailer from uhaul without any problems? I'm using a GMC Envoy to tow the car. Would it be easier to have the front or the rear wheels on the dolly? I would think the fronts on the dolly with the car in neutral. Thanks for the help guys.

flashgordon13 · 12-03-2007, 12:20 PM

I have been told that the dollies from u-haul will work, but I have only used the flatbed trailer. If you do go with the dolly, you will have to lie to u-haul when renting a dolly. They ask what car will be towed and will not rent you a dolly if you tell them you are towing a 944. U-haul claims that a 944 will hit the nose when loading. I have used a dolly on other cars that are supposed to have the same problem and simply put a few pieces of board to lessen the angle of the ramps. Be sure to load the car with the front on the dolly.

legion · 12-03-2007, 12:48 PM

I'd go flat myself. I'd be worried about the stress on the transmission. I have no idea if my fears are grounded in reality.

I always thought that the two-wheel dollies were designed for FWD cars where the rear wheels neither steer nor have a drivetrain attached.

Did you find a project car John? Which direction are you headed?

flash968 · 12-03-2007, 01:01 PM

agreed - avoid the dolly if at all possible - the other reason they won't rent to tow a 944 with a dolly is the inability to drop the drive shaft - in any other rear wheel drive car, you just disconnect it - it is not safe to tow a 944 with a dolly

if you do manage to convince them to do it, do not exceed 45mph, and don't go more than about 50 miles - the tranny could suffer

i doubt that the mileage will be much different, and in fact the dolly could be worse - rolling resistance on a drivetrain and the tires on a 944 is higher than the axles on a trailer - the weight difference is not that great, and does not play as big of a factor

also, no mater what car, safety with a trailer is MUCH better than with a dolly, especially this time of year

Eldorado · 10:39 PM

just got my car towed (from the rear... as in dolly on front, being pulled from the back) with absolutely no problem at all...
of course, it was a dolly on the back of a tow truck that was able to lift the back up..
I'd suck up the cost of the flatbed though... it's a drop in the bucket.

flash968 · 12-03-2007, 02:08 PM

lol - yeah - a little different

off topic - i've actually been recently told that it's often easier, especially with lowered cars, to dolly the last axle, and cradle the front one, than to get it onto a flatbed tow truck

seriously though, especially for a 6 hr drive, get the flatbed trailer - i tow a LOT (even just had made a custom enclosed race trailer), and there is no way i would want to go through the nerve wracking dolly tow again - too many close calls

TNT25169 · 12-03-2007, 02:09 PM

It's not the flatbed cost that bothers me, it's the gas mileage. I have a feeling I'm going to bite the bullet and get another flatbed. Oh well. And yes Chris, I found a another parts car but I'm really not dying to have it. I found another car in Philly and I'd rather have that car but I'm not going to bail out of the ebay winning. Anyone want an '87 with a fried clutch and some body damage in the Chicago area?

TNT25169 · 12-03-2007, 02:13 PM

Just out of curiousity, how did you go about making your enclosed trailer and what do you think the final cost was? I have rented trailers about 10 times now which is about $650 total and it's getting to the point where investing in a trailer of my own would be a good idea.

flashgordon13 · 12-03-2007, 02:20 PM

Is it your trailer or are you renting? If you are renting, why not pick up the trailer close to where you're towing from. This way you pay the one-way rental and save on some gas.

Dantilla · 12-03-2007, 02:23 PM

The gas mileage won't be much, if any different when towing a flatbed or a dolly. If you have a flatbed, you will spend more in renting a dolly than it would cost you in extra gas.

I have a flatbed that weighs about 1500 pounds empty. I don't notice a difference when it's behind my truck- A full-size Chevy.

And you can be certain that a little extra gas is cheaper than a 944 tranny rebuild.

flash968 · 12-03-2007, 02:25 PM

yes, you could have bought one by now - i think the trailer was about 6200

on top of that, it is a LOT easier and safer to tow (though you could not do it behind that envoy)

the downside is where to put it - around here i have to rent storage space at a bit over $100 a month

juVius · 02:32 PM

i've traveled 13 hours pulling a 928 on a two wheel dolly. i'd think it would do fine with a 944. but i'll warn you that you need some 2x4's to load and unload it, otherwise you kill the front valance. i live here in ohio. i'll talk to my dad and see if you can borrow his, rather than having to rent one. unless, you're going to pick one up closer to the car.

flash968 · 12-03-2007, 06:54 PM

this time of year, it is a VERY BAD IDEA - yes, as long as nothing happens, you don't have anyone cut you off, or have to stop fast, or make any tight turns, or have to go down any hills.............

getting the picture?

dollies are just not safe - yes, you can get from here to there in a pinch, under the right circumstances, and i've certainly done it plenty of times, but it is not a good idea

legion · 12-03-2007, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNT25169

Just out of curiousity, how did you go about making your enclosed trailer and what do you think the final cost was? I have rented trailers about 10 times now which is about $650 total and it's getting to the point where investing in a trailer of my own would be a good idea.

If you look hard enough, you can get a used flat trailer for not much more than that.

I have a best friend with a flat trailer. I haven't borrowed it yet, but I will...