cloudshe

hey y'all, any comments on dolly towing? can it be done safely with a 1965 with a 4 spd M20? should the front wheels be on the dolly and the rears on the asphalt, or other way?

thanks! trying to get the vette to a show in Ocean City this Oct

Vega$Vette

Put it on a trailer

CaptainEgg

How about driving it?

Nowhere Man

can it be done, sure, should it be done, no. either drive it there or get a real trailer. you're not that fair from OC I say drive it

kenba

Why would you want to do that unless it wont run.?

woodsdesign

The problem is the fiberglass body will flex and may cause stress cracks. Always trailer a Corvette.

Yellow6t7

Just drive it. Only 100 miles.

pop23235

Can you do it? Yes. Should you? No.
When I bought my 65, 600 miles from home, I had a UHaul car carrier reserved for 5 PM pick up and leaving the next morning at 6 AM. Short story, rainbow haired, body pierced tattoo clerk at 7-11 would not let me have it, although it sat there in the lot and UHaul had approved the reservation. Only equipment I could find was a tow dolly at another location, rural place. So early (5 AM) next morning loaded up, then removed the driveshaft. Made it OK. Got home, installed the DS, unloaded. NEVER AGAIN. Local UHaul was apoplectic when I returned. Don’t know what he did, but never another question at UHaul.

You cannot flat tow a Muncie. Internal lube is from a rotating counter gear.

BADBIRDCAGE

Pull the driveshaft. Front end on tow dolly. If you put the rear on the dolly you are asking for an unhappy tow experience and most likely an accident. Weight distribution is bad. Used a tow dolly to get my C3 to Carlisle years ago for sale. Towed with half ton pickup. No problems.

bj1k

Last year I hauled a C2 4 speed from Ohio to Pa. about an hour and a half with the driveshaft still connected . Transmission guy said it would be ok. He was right . Absolutely no damage to the transmission but no I would not recommend using a tow dolly It is a miserable experience and if you get into some place where you have to back up, forget about it ! They don't back up well. Just rent a U-Haul trailer . They work great.

BADBIRDCAGE

Why will the body flex more than driving the car? The only reason I can attribute would be frame flexing. Does that not occur under normal or spirited ?driving

Nowhere Man

maybe he has a car with a rusty frame or birdcage?

Vette5311

Dolley is for small import FWD cars .
Rear wheels freewheel.

Don’t do it.

vjjack04

I think BadBirdCage is right....you can tow it with a dolly. But I also think renting a trailer would be better. So the elementary answer is yes, you can do it; no don't tow it backwards. With respect to opinions, it doesn't pan out that it would flex the body anymore than road driving. I mean, those things don't position the car more than a few inches of the ground. Reason I say a trailer would be better, is because the dolly is awkard...is the difference in the cost between a dolly and a trailer really that big of a deal? Or is it that your tow vehicle limits options...?

woodsdesign

Because the car is now on an incline angle. As you go over dips and bumps the body can flex, Especially if the birdcage is not in pristine condition.
Personally, if there is any concern at all why risk it. The outcome could be a disaster. To me for the few $ difference it is not worth considering a dolly or standard tow . JMO

bj1k

Rear wheel drive cars with an automatic are definitely a no go but I don't see a problem with a standard shift. Odd how you see all kinds of vehicles being towed behind a motor home and I don't think they are taking the driveshafts out.

vettsplit 63

[QUOTE=pop23235;1605629781]Can you do it?



You cannot flat tow a Muncie. Internal lube is from a rotating counter gear.[/QUOTE]
This

polo91

[QUOTE=vettsplit 63;1605632240]If you have to tow it, which I would not do, the car needs to be started once an hour to properly lube the transmission. Towing in neutral doesn't do that.

HandOverFist

Most people used tow hubs and flat towed in the '60's...you were well to do if you could afford a trailer back then. Gave my set away when I retired. Good luck finding a set nowadays.

BADBIRDCAGE

Like yourself I much prefer a trailer. Backing up with the vehicle on a tow dolly is like driving a farm tractor and backing a wagon with a front steering axle.

I disagree with your position on body flex because of the vehicle being on an incline. The rear suspension is working to absorb shock just as it does with all four tires in contact with the road surface. But, that’s just MY opinion. You most likely have more experience than I do in this area.