Dolly towind with steer tires on the ground

[jluke]

Chevrolet recommends that I tow my 2006 chevy Colorado, 2wd, auto backwards with the drive tires on the dolly and the steer tires on the ground. Somewhere in this forum, although I can't find it now, I thought I saw a strong recommendation against this practice. Does anyone here do this, have any input? Won't be doing this for a couple of months, but trying to decide to tow, or just rent a car in those areas where we want one.

[klutchdust]

Towed hundreds of vehicles thousands of miles backwards on a tow truck. Used the seat belt to hold the wheel . They also made a device that pressed into the seat to hold the wheel. i would do it anytime. As far as the lug nuts coming loose towing backwards ? Huh?

[lanerd]

GraciesDaddy wrote:


Had a Ford Ranger that, once I got it up on the dolly and strapped, removed the drive shaft (recommended), four nuts loosened, drop and slide off the splines of the xmission, DONE! Then bungeed it in the bed of the truck. Takes less than five minutes. I made a "cradle" out of 2-bys bolted to the bed for that purpose. Spend a LOT more time enjoying what's out the windshield than looking at the reverse camera!

But that's just me.

Just a side note on this... often when you remove the drive shaft from the transmission, fluid may run out the end of the trans.

It's better to just remove from the rear end (u-joint) and then raise the drive shaft up and secure it to the bottom of the car making sure the end can't come into contact with the rear end u-joint cradle.

I pulled my Tundra pick up this way for an entire summer. PITA, but it worked just fine and since the truck was 4x4 it was high enough off the ground that it was easy to crawl under to remove/connect the drive shaft.

Ron

PS... on edit, I had a thick rubber band that I would wrap around the cups on the u-joint so that they would not fall off.

[Ivylog]

You might want to click on "How I Tow" in my first post. Only been towing backwards for 90,000+ miles. So much BS about castor/camber and toe in... No unusual tire wear. I'm not uber stupid and I also suggested that you should use your seat belt to secure the steering wheel. OK, I did forget ten years ago to strap the steering wheel but the first turn had it in the passanger side mirror. I never look at my rear camera unless I'm backing up, but that's just me.

[GraciesDaddy]

As to towing front wheels down & backwards: I would NEVER do it! I'd be über-concerned about the steering wheel getting loose and sending my vehicle into the ditch... or into oncoming traffic!

Had a Ford Ranger that, once I got it up on the dolly and strapped, removed the drive shaft (recommended), four nuts loosened, drop and slide off the splines of the xmission, DONE! Then bungeed it in the bed of the truck. Takes less than five minutes. I made a "cradle" out of 2-bys bolted to the bed for that purpose. Spend a LOT more time enjoying what's out the windshield than looking at the reverse camera!

But that's just me.

[MARKW8]

I've seen more backwards on dollies than I can count on one hand. While not ideal it should work.

[lanerd]

vic46 wrote:
Disabled is likely the reason for towing BACKWARDS! Check your owner's manual again and/or have a conversation with a GM dealer. I would think the alignment (steering geometry) would be compromised by towing backwards. The front suspension and steering systems are not likely designed for highway speeds BACKWARDS.

Exactly. Caster, camber, and toe-in adjustments are all made for the tires to rotate in the forward direction. That's why when traveling forward, you can actually let go of the steering wheel and it will continue to go straight....same thing when turning a corner, you can let go of the steering wheel and it will return to the center position. Try that going backwards and the wheels will rotate one way or the other to a full turn position. Thats why when towing backwards you have to tie the steering wheel down so it can't turn.

Towing backwards is not recommend (at least for very long distances that rv'ing require). Short trips on the tow truck hook is acceptable.

Ron

[vic46]

j-d wrote:
Often specified for towing a disabled vehicle. Is there also a section on "recreational towing?"

Disabled is likely the reason for towing BACKWARDS! Check your owner's manual again and/or have a conversation with a GM dealer. I would think the alignment (steering geometry) would be compromised by towing backwards. The front suspension and steering systems are not likely designed for highway speeds BACKWARDS.

[Ozlander]

just me wrote:
just double check the lug nuts on the vehicle BEFORE operating it. They may loosen up. Mark the lug nuts with a marker to do this check while traveling.

AND WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT????

[just_me]

just double check the lug nuts on the vehicle BEFORE operating it. They may loosen up. Mark the lug nuts with a marker to do this check while traveling.

[MARKW8]

Canadian MH came into the park where we winter. They were towing an 84 or 85 Corvette backwards on a dolly. This was in Florida.

Mark

[RJsfishin]

Well, what other way you going to tow a RWD w/ auto trans on a doll ?.
That's the way I'd do it, and I've done it.

[Ivylog]

Lock the steering wheel with the seatbelt and as long as it's a large vehicle towing it I would not worry about it backwards.

[j-d]

Often specified for towing a disabled vehicle. Is there also a section on "recreational towing?"

[jluke]

Right out of my owner's manual.