Towing my Mustang

[KevinGeisbert]

All- couldn't find any other appropriate forum for this question...

I'm moving from Washington DC to Southern Arizona in a few months (about 2500 miles). I'm going to be towing my Cobra on a Uhaul auto transport trailer with my Dodge Truck-no issues. I'm going to tow my 93 5.0 LX on a Uhaul dolley (the only way I can remain within towing capacity <4400 lbs> on my Dodge Durango).

1.) From reading Uhaul website, they tell me that I should tow the vehicle with front tires on the dolley, rear tires rolling, and remove driveshaft.

2.) The Owners manual tells me to tow it front tires on the dolley, rear tires rolling, no mention of remove d/s, but don't exceed 35 mph.

3.) Owners manual also indicates that rear tires can be on dolley, front tires rolling, tow the car from the rear end.

Any thoughts? Advice?

Thanks,
Kev

[Black Horse]

Flat bed trailer...uhaul rents them. Drive up the ramp and lash her down!

[KevinGeisbert]

Dave, Gotcha, I'm doing that with the Cobra. But, I cannot use that trailer with the Mustang...that trailer weighs 2100 pounds, my Mustang weighs 2834...the towing capacity on my Durango is 4400 pounds, so I have to use the dolley (650 pounds) in order to remain inside the towing capacity.

My concern is what configuration on the dolley is best and do I have to remove a drive shaft.:doubt:

[Black Horse]

I'd dolly the rear (even with the driveshaft removed you still are turning the axleshafts and gears). Just make sure the front is pointed dead straight and lock the steering. You also might want to be sure that with the rear on the dolly the nose won't drag.

Good luck!

(PS - towing capacity is recommended.....I'd think it would pull over 5k with no problems)

[cobrapace94]

I'd tow from the front and remove the driveshaft.
I don't like the idea of towing that far with the front suspension in reverse, but that's just me.

[KevinGeisbert]

Dave, I'm inclined to think the same way (no problem towing 5k). I've pulled all maintenance on my Durango so I'm pretty sure of it. If I have to choose between damaging a vehicle, I'd rather damage the durango than my tang. Lastly, I agree that 4400 is an estimate...heck, the Durango has a 318. That drive train should pull it.

I'm also gun shy about towing the thing backwards on the front wheels.

Guess I'll just hef it on a uhaul flat trailer.

thanks to all for your advice.

Kevin

[Beanhead]

As a side note, just in case you've never done it, removing the driveshaft is one of the easiest things you can do. Just be sure to mark the driveshaft position relative to the differential flange it bolts onto, and be ready for the tranny fluid that will leak out the back of the tranny if the car isn't leve. Good Luck! :thumbsup:

[smashedheadcat]

Originally posted by Beanhead
As a side note, just in case you've never done it, removing the driveshaft is one of the easiest things you can do.

I disagree. It's a B!tch and a half to get the driveshaft off without an impact. Those 4 bolts gave me more problems than the long tubes on my car. I had to jack the car up with the jack, put the car in gear with the e-brake set and then, put the wrench on the bolt, and slide a jackstand under the wrench (with breaker bar), and lower the car til the breaker bar met the jack stand. Then kept releasing pressure til I broke it loose. Did that to all 4 of them on my 97 cobra. I guess it depends on how often you take it off. I've had mine off a few times since then, and it's been considerablly easier. But that first time......... damn. :eek:

[95cobraR]

Are you going to tow both stangs at once? That is 8000 pounds behind your Dodge. Personally, I wouldn't tow my stang on a dolly for 2500 miles. If I did, I would tow it as Black Horse and beanhead recommended.

(smashhead) your 4 bolts were installed wrong (or rusted). It is normaly easy to remove the driveshaft bolts.

[KevinGeisbert]

No, I have a Durango and a 1500...I'm going to tow the Cobra behind the 1500 and the 5.0 behind the Durango. I think I'm going to use those Uhaul flatbed trailers for both vehicles.

[smashedheadcat]

Originally posted by 95cobraR


(smashhead) your 4 bolts were installed wrong (or rusted). It is normaly easy to remove the driveshaft bolts.

After you break them loose then they are easy. But I've never had a set come off without at least using a breaker bar or the "2" wrench breaker bar. It's always taken alot of torque to get'em off.

[95cobraR]

Kevin, Sorry, I was confused. But, you will not have any problems towing the two cars on a flat bed trailer as you described. Be sure and check the tire pressures on the trailers (UHaul is not good at doing this properly). I always touch the grease caps when I come into a rest area. If they are very hot, it might indicate the bearings are going bad. If the trailer tends to sway, move the car up a little on the trailer. If it tends to bounce move the car back on the trailer a little.

Good luck on yor trip. U S Army is #1 (and they get all the best women).

(smashedhead) Oh well, not sure why you have a problem with the bolts. I've pulled off several (I've owned 13) and they always come right off (they do have some loc-tight from the factory). I always torque 'em back on to factory specs (then re-torque after a few miles).

[FastFjord]

Done this many times with my race car -- I'd put the back end on the dolly, leave the driveshaft alone. Lock the steering & tie the steering wheel off so it can't turn if for some reason the lock should let go. I towed this way MANY times for long distances with no problems whatsoever.

Alternatively, put the front wheels on (still have to tie off the steering wheel) and disconnect the rear of the driveshaft, but use wire/nylon tiewraps to secure it high in the tunnel and simply leave it in the back of the tranny. Just pull it up/over away from the rear end. This eliminates any fluid from escaping the tranny. As others said, be sure to mark the shaft and the diff so you can get it back exactly as it came out. Be sure to tighten the bolts/nuts or secure them someplace. Talked to too many people who did this, put nuts/bolts in the driveshaft flange for the trip only to have one or more vibrate out along the way. Good luck with the trip - hope your cooling systems are in good order for next year.

[yelsvt03cobra]

I have a 99 Durango 4x4 with a 318. Nothing special done to it. I have pulled my 90 Gt several times on a 18ft dove tail car trailer. The only thing is don't plan on passing a lot of people and just take it easy. My car weighs over 3k and my trailer is 2,000 lbs. I do have electric brakes! Stopping is the most important part I do believe of towing anything.

Just my 2 cents.

Chris

[95cobraR]

yelsvt03cobra---I like your stable of mustangs!! Good advise for towing.

[Big Daddy]

Originally posted by KevinGeisbert
Dave, Gotcha, I'm doing that with the Cobra. But, I cannot use that trailer with the Mustang...that trailer weighs 2100 pounds, my Mustang weighs 2834...the towing capacity on my Durango is 4400 pounds, so I have to use the dolley (650 pounds) in order to remain inside the towing capacity.

My concern is what configuration on the dolley is best and do I have to remove a drive shaft.:doubt:

What kind of Durango do you have??? I tow my Cobra on a steel open trailer with no problem. Towing weight of about 5200 lbs. I do have the 5.9L in my Durango though??

[yelsvt03cobra]

I am not sure what he has, but I only have the little 318 in mine.
Pull's just fine here, I am not sure of the actual towing limitations though, something I have never read up on. lol

Chris

[yelsvt03cobra]

Originally posted by 95cobraR
yelsvt03cobra---I like your stable of mustangs!! Good advise for towing.

Thanks man, I am still looking for more.lol Thats what happens when you get your women involved in them with ya. The 84 Gt with the 460 is hers. She wants to ride some wheelies soon. She has never drag raced before but she is attempting to try this Saturday for the first time with my 90 Gt 306 5-speed.

Chris

[redsnake99]

Big Daddy tows his slow 2001 Cobra on an open trailer behind his Durango all the time. I went with him from Asheville to Mid-America in Iowa last year with that rig.



:rolleyes: