Well, as the title states, this will be my first time towing. I'm gonna go to U-Haul and get a car dolly (tow dolly?) and bring home a new toy. I know that my ram will have no problem towing the car, but I'm not quite sure how to hook everything up. I'm not an idiot, I've seen it done before, but I just want to make sure I do it right. I don't wanna lose the car half way down the road.

The car is an 86 Chevy Caprice, RWD 305. I hook up the front wheels to the dolly, correct? Do I have to remove the drive shaft? Or just put the car in neutral? I assume the dolly comes with the tie downs. These just ratchet tight, correct?
Is there anything else I should know?

My truck has a class III hitch already so that's covered. the dolly will have brake lights, right? Or is it not required on these?

I'm honestly new to this. So I thought I would ask here. You've all been very helpful in the past.

Thanks for the help.

 

I forgot, I will only be towing the car for about 10 miles.

 

Guess I won't be using a tow dolly. u-Haul says I have to use the car hauler.

Any advice?

 

Take it slow. 10 miles isnt too bad. If it was more I would say get a brake controler. But for just 10 you should fine. Take it slow, leave room

 

Yeah... I've towed before, but onyl small little things. I always leave room, but my questions are more in reguard to strapping the car down, hooking things up properly.

Thanks for the reply.

Let me add that when I did tow, it was someone else's truck, and everything was already hooked up.

 

Drive a bit slower than your instincts tell you too.

Think about braking and leave more space before the vehicle ahead.

If you can find an empty parking lot section,
do a few full pressure 'panic stops'
ahead of time and don't be surprised if it starts to jack-knife.
It is better to experience this for the first time in a safe open space than on the highway.

 

If its an automatic you might want to either remove the drive shaft or tow it front wheels down if its arear wheel drive. But if you haul it on a hauler then just load it strap it and go.

 

The car dolly is pretty easy to use. It should have straps on it already. Put the staps around the tires and crank em down as hard as you can. I'd put the car in park and set the e-brake. Then drive away.

 

Well if you are using a actual car trailer, i'm not sure if they supply or not but its the same idea. Already make sure the trailer is hooked up properly, generally they do that for you. Make sure the tounge is all the way on the ball(ive seen it not happen and it comes off, not pretty) with that check to make sure all the lights work properly. Then when it comes to hooking up the car get it centered on the trailer and then there has too be 2 plus straps. put one in front around a control arm and strap it to the trailer snug it up slightly. Then go around to the back and wrap it around the rear axel and then to the rear of the trailer. There should be i hooks on the trailer to hook it up too. Then tighten that one up as much as you can then go back to the front and finish tighting that up as much as you can. If there is more then 2 straps put two on the front with atleast 1 out back 2 if you have that many. If you want extra security set the parking break BUT make sure it works prior to setting it or you will have hell getting it off. But if this was me i would just go to work and pick up a tow truck.
Hope this helps you
Ken

 

Well for putting the car on the trailer (I see you are using a full trailer now).


Try to center the vehicle above the axles. For strapping down, on my jeep I use straps around the axles. No clue what the suspension setup is on the vehicle you are towing but if solid axles you can use them. If not see if you can find factory tow points on the vehicle, frame, or anything solid.

Excuse the TERRIBLE paint drawing