Towing a WD21

[Precise1]

Job wise, it looks like I will have to relocate if I am going to stay in my field of diamond turning. That is fine with me, but the logistics of that imply a Uhaul truck and towing the Pathy. I know that different vehicles have different requirements as to if it can be towed, how fast, need of a car dolly for 1 axle (front or rear), trailer only, etc. Does anyone know the parameters for a manual shift 4x4 WD21 ? I'd guess neutral on both sticks would be fine to tow, but I'd hate to have issues. Just trying to look ahead... Thanks.

 

B

[FLApathy]

get a dolly, put the FRONT wheels on the dolly, DISCONNECT the DRIVESHAFT from the REAR AXLE, and thats it, you may want to take the shaft off and put it in the u haul, my brother is a tow truck driver and i did alot of work with him this summer, we did all the heavy duty stuff, hes got a license to do everything up toa heavy duty tow/recovery

[jj big shoe]

Depending on the miles you might want to consider a full trailer. I used one behind the Budget truck from DC to Tampa going 70 to 80mph most of the time w/o problems. The trailer rental was $300 on top of the truck costs. Not too bad considering the distance and size of the trailer. I could have put a M1 Abrams on that thing!

[RedPath88]

...DISCONNECT the DRIVESHAFT from the REAR AXLE, and thats it, you may want to take the shaft off and put it in the u haul...

Be aware that if you do that, when you pull the driveshaft out of the transfer case, you will dump your fluid all over the ground. So either plug it or do as I did when my clutch broke 50miles from home... tie the shaft up and make sure you put some forward tension on it

 

You could also tow it flat.. I would still disconnect the shaft. Or haul it on a trailer.

 

The prior time that I had to tow my Path, U-Haul would not rent me a to dolly for it, because it "weighed to much" for the tow vehicle... a Toyota Tacoma. Jerks, anyway I asked how much for the F150 or 250 they had. Well according to them they can't do it either!

 

Just be aware, say that you’re towing a Geo Metro or something if you get a small/mid sized box truck.

 

I ended up at a Hertz rental place and they did not care what I was towing. And the Tacoma did it without a second thought. When my clutch went out, the tow vehicle was 78 (I think) Chevy, with a recently installed 454.. up from a 350.

Edited August 8, 2005 by RedPath88

[Precise1]

OK, that narrows it down a bit... Nah, what I got out of it is just trailer the damn thing... I have run into the 'we wont rent you a car trailer because your truck is not big enough' routine even though it was a 70's chevy 3/4 ton... WTF do you need ?? A Bradley ? Hmm, speaking of that, I also have a VW bug that would need ferrying so...

I could have put a M1 Abrams on that thing!

Maybe I could get them both on there... :o I figure that a mid sized box van semi-loaded would be rated to tow a car trailer, but maybe this is just an assumption...

Cost isn't much of a concern as most companies will provide relocation assistance that will cover most or all of the bill, I'm just trying to figure out in advance what is required so I can plan and stick them with the bill...

Any other car hauling information/adventures welcome !!

 

B

[Vsicks Pathy]

The car is not an auto so it will tow fine on the rears. Hook it up and go.

[Precise1]

The car is not an auto so it will tow fine on the rears

 

Ok, that is sort of what I figured, but what do you mean by 'on the rears' ? On the rear tires, meaning the front tires on a car dolly ?

 

B

[Vsicks Pathy]

The car is not an auto so it will tow fine on the rears

 

Ok, that is sort of what I figured, but what do you mean by 'on the rears' ? On the rear tires, meaning the front tires on a car dolly ?

 

B

Front in the air, rears rolling along the ground.

[Precise1]

Ok, thought that may be alright... Still think it is ok for maybe 3000 miles ?

 

B

[Vsicks Pathy]

Ok, thought that may be alright... Still think it is ok for maybe 3000 miles ? 

 

B

Where on Earth are you going B? :o One coast to the other?

 

Put the thing on a train or the back of a semi if it's going that far. Thats a long tow and I would contact Guinness book or records to see if you make the cut!

 

A mate of mine lives in Perth, just down the road from SteveWA sssh . When he comes over to the east he frieghts his car either on the train or on the back of a semi. Get some quotes Bernard.

Edited August 8, 2005 by Vsicks Pathy

[Precise1]

Where on Earth are you going B?  One coast to the other?

 

MMMM, could beeeee... I'm in California, and the three job prospects I currently have are in New Mexico (not more than 800 miles), Massoftwoshets (about 3000), and Florida (3000+). Never considered the freight option, that makes a lot of sense... See, thats why I posted this thread. Keep the info coming folks, please...

 

B

[jj big shoe]

I towed mine with a 16' Budget box truck that was completely packed with furniture and stuff. It handled all the weight w/o problems, but I wasn't going over any mountains. The trailer was all aluminum and pretty sturdy, but you couldn't fit both vehicles on it. One and the bike might fit as long as it had tie down points.

You could get some quotes from a few car hauling companies if your future employer would pay for your move. I arranged to move a Corvette from DC to Sarasota, FL for about $550. That's about 1,000 miles to give you a reference.

[88pathoffroad]

A flat bed trailer would be safer and probably not cost too much more. Price-shop around, maybe. For shorter distances, it's fine to dolly-tow it with the tranny and t-case in neutral. It's not going to do anything to the drivetrain that doesn't happen every time you drive it anyway.

[RedPath88]

Well you could start here...

Dependable Auto Shippers

No I have no idea how "dependable" they really are.

 

I just priced them a couple months ago when I was looking at a Path on eBay.

Never had any intent of buying the truck, was just curious what the cost would have been.

 

To bad I don't remember how much it was.

[Slick]

I had checked a LOT of freight costs when I was looking to buy an "east coast" Pathy just for goodies it had and the motor(2 months ago)... I got quoted anywhere from $550-$1200. anything between $700-$1000 is a good price if you go coast to coast so to speak. I could hook you up with some of the trucking companies websites.. but beware! They like to email the piss out of you once you ask for a quote.... A1 was very helpful, and one of the better quotes also. BTW... DON'T STRAND ME IN CALI ALL ALONE B!!!!!!!!!! *wails*

[RedPath88]

I had checked a LOT of freight costs when I was looking to buy an "east coast" Pathy just for goodies it had and the motor(2 months ago)... I got quoted anywhere from $550-$1200. anything between $700-$1000 is a good price if you go coast to coast so to speak. I could hook you up with some of the trucking companies websites.. but beware! They like to email the piss out of you once you ask for a quote.... A1 was very helpful, and one of the better quotes also. BTW... DON'T STRAND ME IN CALI ALL ALONE B!!!!!!!!!! *wails*

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that... they constantly emailed me ( Where’s that moderator when I need him sly ) This finally stopped a couple weeks ago.

 

Slick, aren’t you moving to Oregon? :confused:

[94extreme]

if you move all the way E then i'd at least haul them on a trailer but you would need a BIG truck... hauler maybe an option but i think $1k is a low ball estimate... there are also companies that drive your cars across the country for you.. may want to look into that if you feel you cars are that road worthy..

 

personally i wouldn't feel safe towing my pathy behind anything but the largest U-haul type "vans" expecially loaded to the gills with furniture and bike and i was going over the rockies.. i wouldn't tow my pathy w/o disconnecting the drive shaft even 800mi... why spin any of it needlessly.. (in case of a 2 wheel dolly)

 

Have you ever been to FLA? it's freaking miserable with the humidity and heat and hurricanes.. and talk about FLAT... oh.. anyway good luck

 

Mass. has it's own set of issues but it's close to VT, NH etc..

[Trainman]

Sort of along the same vein, we did a move of about 400 km (with 2 months storage in between selling and buying houses). We had a tent trailer that the movers put in the back of the moving van (actually, we used my Bronco II to back it up the ramp and in). All part of the moving bill that the wife’s employer paid for. Check with the mover to see what they recommend, maybe they can do it all at once.

[Slick]

Slick, aren’t you moving to Oregon? :confused:

Due to a few "unforseen" (I ignored them!) circumstances...we are putting Oregon on hold until the new year I think.. or.. at least til the end of this year... Daves Mom is not making great progress..and Dave n his bro have SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much stuff... they would need 3 semi's JUST for the trucks/cars and parts...

[94extreme]

almost $600 from Chicago to Wilkes-Barre, PA.. that's probably only 1/3 of the way..

[Precise1]

Ouch !! I'd better call around, this may be a big deal. I'd almost consider towing the Bug out on a trailer, flying back and driving the Pathy. It all still speculation at this point though...

 

B

[94extreme]

you're not taking the gf along? she could drive one of your vehicles

[Precise1]

Well, she goes to school so she would finish the semester, that would give me time to find a decent place and all that. Besides, she cant drive a stick !! I don't own no wimpy freakin autos !!

 

B

[94extreme]

lol..

[88pathoffroad]

Hey now, watch who you callin' wimpy with an auto transmission, bub.