Tow Dolly Question
#1
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Tow Dolly Question
I just got off the phone with u-haul and they told me that the 944 will not fit because it doesn't have enough ground clearance. Has anyone every towed with a tow dolly to confirm this or was the guy at u-haul just wrong? I need to find another option if I can't use the dolly. Thanks for your help.
#2
Three Wheelin'
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It's extremely tricky to tow, no question about it. Mine was towed just the other day by two separate drivers and they both put it on a flatbed. Even that was a dicey affair.
I believe there's an optional eye bolt you can attach for towing, but I don't know the details on that.
I believe there's an optional eye bolt you can attach for towing, but I don't know the details on that.
#3
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Originally Posted by flashgordon
I just got off the phone with u-haul and they told me that the 944 will not fit because it doesn't have enough ground clearance. Has anyone every towed with a tow dolly to confirm this or was the guy at u-haul just wrong? I need to find another option if I can't use the dolly. Thanks for your help.
#7
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I towed my 944 about 30 miles using one of those dollies, worked perfectly fine. I told Uhaul that i was towing an 87' Civic hatchback and they didn't ask any questions. The only thing was that the front valance scraped a bit when driving the car up the loading ramp so make sure you have some long 4x2s or something to smooth out loading and unloading. The sides of the car cleared the edges of the dollies wheel wells by about 6 inches on each side.
I would still recommend using the full trailer though. I would have used it but the trailer plus the car would have exceeded the towing capacity of my truck. The truck has a towing capacity of 5000lbs but even with 3500lbs on the hitch (650lbs tow dolly + 2850 car) it was pretty scary going some of the steeper hills along the way. If you have a full sized truck you shouldn't have any problems though, just make sure your car is strapped down tight and that its in neutral before you drive!
I would still recommend using the full trailer though. I would have used it but the trailer plus the car would have exceeded the towing capacity of my truck. The truck has a towing capacity of 5000lbs but even with 3500lbs on the hitch (650lbs tow dolly + 2850 car) it was pretty scary going some of the steeper hills along the way. If you have a full sized truck you shouldn't have any problems though, just make sure your car is strapped down tight and that its in neutral before you drive!
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#8
Three Wheelin'
Originally Posted by stolarzj
I would use the full trailer, but you need a decent tow vehicle for it since it's a pretty heavy trailer. Note my avatar..
I though you said you needed a decent tow vehicle? That looks like a Dodge.
(sorry, cheap shot, had to be taken)
#9
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I own a car dolly which I have used to tow 2 944`s with my 1998 GMC Sonoma. The dolly has a
hitch operated surge brake (hydraulic) and no problem. The front valence does drag while loading
and needs some lifting while rolling the car on, or some extra ramps.
hitch operated surge brake (hydraulic) and no problem. The front valence does drag while loading
and needs some lifting while rolling the car on, or some extra ramps.
#10
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Thanks for the advice. I think the dolly will do the job for me. I'll be sure to bring some extra ramps to load and unload the car. I would love to know how cars can always find the worst time to break. They never seem to break close to home.
#11
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I just towed my 944 using a U-Haul tow dolly two weeks ago from Lafayette, LA back to New Orleans, about 150 miles. I only used the wheel straps provided and everything worked just fine. Be sure to stop after about 30 miles and retighten the straps. I continued to check the straps every 40 miles or so, but I did not have to tighten them any further. Be sure to remember to lower the side dolly fender before you drive the car up so you can open the door wide enough to get out.
#12
Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by Mouthpiece
I just towed my 944 using a U-Haul tow dolly two weeks ago from Lafayette, LA back to New Orleans, about 150 miles. I only used the wheel straps provided and everything worked just fine. Be sure to stop after about 30 miles and retighten the straps. I continued to check the straps every 40 miles or so, but I did not have to tighten them any further. Be sure to remember to lower the side dolly fender before you drive the car up so you can open the door wide enough to get out.
#13
Jane Bond 007
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Just understand that if you tow your 944 and the dolly malfunctions and your car is damaged UHaul will be free of any responsibility to pay. If you lie on the contract you do NOT have a valid contract. Be careful!
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Originally Posted by stolarzj
The fenders swing down? Learned something new. Guess I wasn't really looking for that feature.
I told them it was a 944 before the rental and loaded the car on the dolly with their help when I picked it up. They did not say anything about it not filtting on the dolly, whcih isn't suprising as it fit just fine.