Would a tow bar be safe? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Primered_69 · 09-19-2006, 11:29 PM

I am towing maybe five miles. City streets for two miles and three to five in country. Are these things relatively safe? What can I do to make them safer?

Primered_69 · 09-19-2006, 11:30 PM

I am afraid to tow by rope. This is the contraption that bolts to the bumper.

69-350 · 09-19-2006, 11:38 PM

I think it should be fine. It's been done safely before. There's a few tips for it, I'm sure, but it should be straight forward.

Longhorn Man · 09-19-2006, 11:35 PM

yes, they are safe, as long as the tow vehicle has good brakes, and the towed vehicle can roll and steer easily, and has the weight of the engine under the hood.
If they weren't safe, they wouldn't be legal.
And also, if they weren't safe, the gov wouldn't do it with all there millitary vehicles, the rail road (who is totally anal on safety) wouldn't do it, the schools wouldn't do it with busses, and grandpa and grandma wouldn't have ther ecar hooked to the RV with a tow bar.

The naysayers will say you can't or shouldn't do it becouse the towed vehicle won't have brakes... but, they don't work when on a tow truck either, and the older tow trucks didn't have upgraded brakes.

Hook up, go easy, keep your distance, and be carefull.

I have thousands of miles of tow bar towing under my belt, and the only incident was from my stupidity. (no engine in the towed vehicle, hell, no cab or front clip, just a bed full of junk and wheels locked straight forward) I was askin for it, but even then, i was able to controll the trucks with no damage other than my ego.

454_72_4X4 · 03-22-2007, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

and grandpa and grandma wouldn't have ther ecar hooked to the RV with a tow bar.

Hey, hey watch your language....

I'm just over 40 and I tow a vehicle behind a 31 ft rv all summer, every summer! (My 72 in front of it all) hahaha

I'd hate to guess how many miles I've used a towbar.

Are they safe? Only as safe as the person doing the hookup and driving.
That leaves about 95% of the people on the road as unsafe for towbar use, or driving at all for that matter...

**passthebuck** · 03-24-2007, 12:27 AM

Are they safe? Damm right they are - you just gotta respect them & what they entail. Ya gotta take longer to start & stop big time.... I got mine at Princess Auto on sale for 75.00CDN & all I had to supply were the bolts to hold it to the towed vehicle & the safety chains. See my origional post on pg 1 to see where it is at. I am a little sketched out by the "clamp-on-bumper" style of towbars. The whole idea just seems unreliable.... Get a bolt-on, remove the bumper & bolt it to the frame. Add some chains from frame-to-frame & voila! Order-up one new truck in your yard!

Rod · 03-25-2007, 11:56 AM

The fun begins towing with a tow bar in winter snow and ice. I dragged a 3 cyl Sprint home with a 3 cyl Firefly, 40 miles when the last gas crunch came about. If the towed unit can run I leave the towed vehicle running to keep the tranny juices flowing if its an automatic trans.
I have dragged many- many trucks , suburbans, blazers and assorted chassis in various conditions home...but used bigger vehicles than the sprint to tow with

When I mention Fun..its keeping your cheeks puckered.

I wouldn't recommend towing in winter with a tow bar on ice roads. It's a sure way to jack-knife into something.

bad_turbo · 04-08-2007, 12:46 AM

how about towing the 25 ft motorhome with a '98 crew cab dually? Thinking of buying one that is 75 miles from me and it doesn't run. The tow bill will be too expensive, so figured the tow bar would work with a big enough truck. Do they make tow bars that will fit without removing the front bumper?

71SWBChevy · 09-19-2006, 11:35 PM

What are you towing? I know you need weight in the front end so if the motor is out I wouldn't do it without adding alot of weight up front. There are alot of guys that have towed alot farther using a tow bar, one of them will chime in sooner or later.

Dammit Andy you bet me to it!!!

Longhorn Man · 09-19-2006, 11:37 PM

heh heh heh I sure did.

I saw tow bar in the title and I zeroed in on it.

71SWBChevy · 09-20-2006, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

heh heh heh I sure did.

I saw tow bar in the title and I zeroed in on it.

Actually Andy when I said one of the experts would weigh in soon enough you were the guy I was talking about you are all over these tow bar threads!

Longhorn Man · 09-19-2006, 11:39 PM

back in the day, it was the only way to go, ask anyone over 60 yrs old.

Primered_69 · 09-19-2006, 11:48 PM

I will be towing a 1972 Chevy long bed with manual steering, all steering compnents still there, 350 installed and bad clutch...using the company 1 ton truck.

low'n slow · 09-20-2006, 03:01 AM

I towed a 67 stepside with a riding mower in the bed from Colorado Springs through the mountains and all the way to Nampa Idaho with a 4-Runner. Take it slow, keep your distance, make sure all the connections are tight. Make sure your lights (you will need them) work.

Good luck, you should be fine.

krue · 09-20-2006, 03:19 AM

5 miles? I'd use a tow bar in a heart beat. Actually I'd probably call my brother and we'd grab a chain and a piece of pipe and make "redneck towbar" and snatch it to the house, but I don't recommend it to an amateur 'cuz it takes coordination and practice.

**passthebuck** · 09-20-2006, 07:42 AM

everybody has beat me to it, but ya it's safe. The wire in the pic is going to the tail lights on the towed truck & i installed safety chains later. Watch it on the wet though-allow plenty of stoping distance.

sneakysnake · 09-20-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krue

5 miles? I'd use a tow bar in a heart beat. Actually I'd probably call my brother and we'd grab a chain and a piece of pipe and make "redneck towbar" and snatch it to the house, but I don't recommend it to an amateur 'cuz it takes coordination and practice.

Nothing like a chain and piece of pipe for brakes and a pair of "vise grips"for a steering wheel.LoL

Blue85 · 09-22-2006, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneakysnake

Nothing like a chain and piece of pipe for brakes and a pair of "vise grips"for a steering wheel.LoL

More details on this please, could be a good idea for yanked vehicles around the farm, pretty sure i'm redneck enough to do it lol!

sneakysnake · 09-25-2006, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue85

More details on this please, could be a good idea for yanked vehicles around the farm, pretty sure i'm redneck enough to do it lol!

Take a piece of pipe 6-8' or so run a chain inside it(take the hook off one end if need to) then chain it between the two vehicles, this keeps there from being any slack and as you slow down it stops the tow vehicle.just watch for (Z)ing of the pipe or you will kiss bumpers And vise grips on a steering shaft make for a handle to hang onto, just dont try to take a curve a 60mph.LOL

chevybill · 09-20-2006, 08:32 AM

When using a tow bar on an older truck without a column lock, how do you guys get the wheels to stay straight?

bw4sale · 09-20-2006, 09:09 AM

I think everyones right on the money...as long as you hook it up right and are really careful it should be ok.

However, I'm still not too fond. I was pulling a little sedan once and almost lost the car (the car was junk, so i wouldn't have cared unless it hurt somebody else or messed up my truck). I think it wasn't properly attached. It was the kind that grabs the front bumper. Well, it was a plastic bumper. You see where this is going. You obviously won't have that problem.

northerngmc · 09-20-2006, 11:35 AM

Yes, it sounds like you are doing it safely by pulling a truck with a 1 ton.

I have used a tow bar a few times and put many miles on it.

First time I pulled my 59 GMC 1/2 ton 800 miles with my 98 1/2 ton Suburban. Went a reasonable speed and did not make sharp turns. All went well until the C clip came out of the rear end on the 59 and the right axle came out. Not the tow bars fault.

Second time I towed a 70 GMC 3/4 ton with my 98 Suburban 150 miles and it went well. Well maybe not 100% as the 70 GMC 3/4 ton had a flat tire half way. Again not the tow bars fault!

Third time was a disaster. I attempted to pull a 72 GMC 1/2 ton across town and this truck had no engine or tranmission. What a pain, I do not recommend this. Moving a vehicle without an engine is almost impossible without a trailer.

Go for it and be safe and I recommend having tow lights as well.

highboy_04 · 09-20-2006, 12:01 PM

chevybill you dont want the column to be locked. the towed vehicle will just track behind the vehicle towing it.

chevybill · 09-20-2006, 01:58 PM

If no one is steering the towed vehicle, what keeps the wheels from turning then locking either to the right or to the left as you pull?

Quote:

Originally Posted by highboy_04

chevybill you dont want the column to be locked. the towed vehicle will just track behind the vehicle towing it.

Greaser · 09-20-2006, 12:54 PM

Curious, What Happens W/o The Weight In The Front?

09-19-2006, 11:29 PM	#1
Primered_69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1,409	Would a tow bar be safe? I am towing maybe five miles. City streets for two miles and three to five in country. Are these things relatively safe? What can I do to make them safer? __________________ 1969 Chevy LWB - with shaved handles; 3 1/2 front/ 5 1/2 rear drop; (waiting to be put back together)

09-19-2006, 11:30 PM	#2
Primered_69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1,409	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? I am afraid to tow by rope. This is the contraption that bolts to the bumper. __________________ 1969 Chevy LWB - with shaved handles; 3 1/2 front/ 5 1/2 rear drop; (waiting to be put back together)

09-19-2006, 11:38 PM	#3
69-350 Oil trash and damn proud of it Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Williston, ND Posts: 1,993	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? I think it should be fine. It's been done safely before. There's a few tips for it, I'm sure, but it should be straight forward. __________________ Mark 1997 K1500 Z71, 14 bolt SF 3.73 posi, Bright Blue Metallic. 6" Superlift 1972 C-10, toolbox, p/s, 350/TH350/3.73 open, black int., bronze 2008 Dodge MegaCab. H&S tuned 6.7 Cummins. Fast Four Tons Some of my pics http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m294/69-350/

09-19-2006, 11:35 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? yes, they are safe, as long as the tow vehicle has good brakes, and the towed vehicle can roll and steer easily, and has the weight of the engine under the hood. If they weren't safe, they wouldn't be legal. And also, if they weren't safe, the gov wouldn't do it with all there millitary vehicles, the rail road (who is totally anal on safety) wouldn't do it, the schools wouldn't do it with busses, and grandpa and grandma wouldn't have ther ecar hooked to the RV with a tow bar. The naysayers will say you can't or shouldn't do it becouse the towed vehicle won't have brakes... but, they don't work when on a tow truck either, and the older tow trucks didn't have upgraded brakes. Hook up, go easy, keep your distance, and be carefull. I have thousands of miles of tow bar towing under my belt, and the only incident was from my stupidity. (no engine in the towed vehicle, hell, no cab or front clip, just a bed full of junk and wheels locked straight forward) I was askin for it, but even then, i was able to controll the trucks with no damage other than my ego. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 09-19-2006 at 11:38 PM.

03-24-2007, 12:27 AM	#6
passthebuck Sisyphus was my mentor! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario CANADA Posts: 984	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? Are they safe? Damm right they are - you just gotta respect them & what they entail. Ya gotta take longer to start & stop big time.... I got mine at Princess Auto on sale for 75.00CDN & all I had to supply were the bolts to hold it to the towed vehicle & the safety chains. See my origional post on pg 1 to see where it is at. I am a little sketched out by the "clamp-on-bumper" style of towbars. The whole idea just seems unreliable.... Get a bolt-on, remove the bumper & bolt it to the frame. Add some chains from frame-to-frame & voila! Order-up one new truck in your yard! __________________ passthebuck #5642 -TWO 1967 GMC 910's. One with L6/3-on-the tree and the other with 355 w/435hp & a 700r4. -a 2013 Honda Civic as my "sensible" car

03-25-2007, 11:56 AM	#7
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? The fun begins towing with a tow bar in winter snow and ice. I dragged a 3 cyl Sprint home with a 3 cyl Firefly, 40 miles when the last gas crunch came about. If the towed unit can run I leave the towed vehicle running to keep the tranny juices flowing if its an automatic trans. I have dragged many- many trucks , suburbans, blazers and assorted chassis in various conditions home...but used bigger vehicles than the sprint to tow with When I mention Fun..its keeping your cheeks puckered. I wouldn't recommend towing in winter with a tow bar on ice roads. It's a sure way to jack-knife into something. Attached Images __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife. Last edited by Rod; 03-25-2007 at 12:01 PM.

04-08-2007, 12:46 AM	#8
bad_turbo turbo enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: carmichael, ca. Posts: 1,826	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? how about towing the 25 ft motorhome with a '98 crew cab dually? Thinking of buying one that is 75 miles from me and it doesn't run. The tow bill will be too expensive, so figured the tow bar would work with a big enough truck. Do they make tow bars that will fit without removing the front bumper? __________________ "But daddy, I didn't hit them all with a stick"...what my 6 year old tells me when I pick him up from school early for fighting "

09-19-2006, 11:35 PM	#9
71SWBChevy Post Whore Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Owensboro KY Posts: 11,905	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? What are you towing? I know you need weight in the front end so if the motor is out I wouldn't do it without adding alot of weight up front. There are alot of guys that have towed alot farther using a tow bar, one of them will chime in sooner or later. Dammit Andy you bet me to it!!! __________________ Drew '71 Chevy 350/TH350 Hugger Orange Currently just a rolling frame, body work soon to follow!!! Check out my Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=212927 Daily Driver: 1997 Chevrolet S-10 with more gears than pistons Last edited by 71SWBChevy; 09-19-2006 at 11:36 PM. Reason: Andy is to damn fast!!!!

09-19-2006, 11:37 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? heh heh heh I sure did. I saw tow bar in the title and I zeroed in on it.

09-19-2006, 11:39 PM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? back in the day, it was the only way to go, ask anyone over 60 yrs old.

09-19-2006, 11:48 PM	#13
Primered_69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1,409	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? I will be towing a 1972 Chevy long bed with manual steering, all steering compnents still there, 350 installed and bad clutch...using the company 1 ton truck. __________________ 1969 Chevy LWB - with shaved handles; 3 1/2 front/ 5 1/2 rear drop; (waiting to be put back together) Last edited by Primered_69; 09-19-2006 at 11:49 PM.

09-20-2006, 03:01 AM	#14
low'n slow Too Dumb To Know Better Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 882	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? I towed a 67 stepside with a riding mower in the bed from Colorado Springs through the mountains and all the way to Nampa Idaho with a 4-Runner. Take it slow, keep your distance, make sure all the connections are tight. Make sure your lights (you will need them) work. Good luck, you should be fine.

09-20-2006, 03:19 AM	#15
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? 5 miles? I'd use a tow bar in a heart beat. Actually I'd probably call my brother and we'd grab a chain and a piece of pipe and make "redneck towbar" and snatch it to the house, but I don't recommend it to an amateur 'cuz it takes coordination and practice. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

09-20-2006, 07:42 AM	#16
passthebuck Sisyphus was my mentor! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario CANADA Posts: 984	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? everybody has beat me to it, but ya it's safe. The wire in the pic is going to the tail lights on the towed truck & i installed safety chains later. Watch it on the wet though-allow plenty of stoping distance. Attached Images __________________ passthebuck #5642 -TWO 1967 GMC 910's. One with L6/3-on-the tree and the other with 355 w/435hp & a 700r4. -a 2013 Honda Civic as my "sensible" car

09-20-2006, 08:32 AM	#20
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? When using a tow bar on an older truck without a column lock, how do you guys get the wheels to stay straight? __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint



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09-20-2006, 09:09 AM	#21
bw4sale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 1,528	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? I think everyones right on the money...as long as you hook it up right and are really careful it should be ok. However, I'm still not too fond. I was pulling a little sedan once and almost lost the car (the car was junk, so i wouldn't have cared unless it hurt somebody else or messed up my truck). I think it wasn't properly attached. It was the kind that grabs the front bumper. Well, it was a plastic bumper. You see where this is going. You obviously won't have that problem. __________________ BRENT -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half

09-20-2006, 11:35 AM	#22
northerngmc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Whitehorse YK Canada Posts: 2,651	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? Yes, it sounds like you are doing it safely by pulling a truck with a 1 ton. I have used a tow bar a few times and put many miles on it. First time I pulled my 59 GMC 1/2 ton 800 miles with my 98 1/2 ton Suburban. Went a reasonable speed and did not make sharp turns. All went well until the C clip came out of the rear end on the 59 and the right axle came out. Not the tow bars fault. Second time I towed a 70 GMC 3/4 ton with my 98 Suburban 150 miles and it went well. Well maybe not 100% as the 70 GMC 3/4 ton had a flat tire half way. Again not the tow bars fault! Third time was a disaster. I attempted to pull a 72 GMC 1/2 ton across town and this truck had no engine or tranmission. What a pain, I do not recommend this. Moving a vehicle without an engine is almost impossible without a trailer. Go for it and be safe and I recommend having tow lights as well. __________________ Blaine 59 GMC 9314 a.k.a. Whoopee 68 C20 50th Anniversary a.k.a. The Rat http://www.flickr.com/photos/northerngmc/ http://www.members.tripod.com/P-wee/index_032.htm 1.61803 is one H of a lot better than 3.14159, no really it is!

09-20-2006, 12:01 PM	#23
highboy_04 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: kansas Posts: 1,071	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? chevybill you dont want the column to be locked. the towed vehicle will just track behind the vehicle towing it. __________________ '67 c10 350/th350

09-20-2006, 12:54 PM	#25
Greaser Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Worley, ID Posts: 48	Re: Would a tow bar be safe? Curious, What Happens W/o The Weight In The Front?

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