I need towing advice

3MTA3 · 09-27-2009, 10:37 AM

I plan to tow my new (to me) '87 standard MR2 about 150 miles on a two-wheel dolly.
If the rear wheels are up, I guess I'll have to keep the front wheels from turning.
If the front wheels are up, I'll put it in neutral.
Front wheels up seems like less work for me, but do the rear wheels really need to be up?
Thanks

heavenlydeath · 09-27-2009, 11:30 AM

i had to tow a few cars with a dolly like yours. front up is the best way togo

como · 09-27-2009, 02:56 PM

Don't know too much about towing, but I'd imagine I'd put front wheels up and just throw her into neutral...

mr3 · 09-27-2009, 04:52 PM

Uhaul wont let you rent a tow dolly from them if you are towing the mr2. I was going to buy a tow dolly and I was researching and they said if the car is not registered you can get away with that by towing with the back end up. It depends on the cops though I would say. You could say it's a recovery tow and get away by towing front up. I never had any experience doing it so I'm not really any help. The steering wheel does lock and you should be able to have it lock in the center if you do end up going back end up.

3MTA3 · 09-27-2009, 07:28 PM

mr3, I don't understand why uhaul won't let me rent a tow dolly from them if I am towing the mr2. How do they know if I lie? Also, what does registration have to do with which end is up? Is that something to do with if the license plate is visible?

traintech86 · 09-27-2009, 07:39 PM

i asked about this before, make sure you AREN'T (wink) towing a mr2... maybe a carolla? >>

mr3 · 09-27-2009, 08:25 PM

Make sure to say its an 88+ corolla.

And yes registration has to do with the license plate. We only have rear plates in PA so if the back ends up they wont be able to tell.

3MTA3 · 09-27-2009, 09:16 PM

Hmm, my new pride and joy doesn't have plates (or registration or title or insurance). I just thought the dolly plates would be enough. Do the dollies even have plates?
I'm doing this in Virginia, and I towed a fully licensed and insured FWD vehicle in Virginia recently.

mr2_jake · 09-28-2009, 11:15 AM

I towed my deuce from Reno to Billings (~1000 miles) back end up. No troubles the whole way.

traintech86 · 10-04-2009, 07:16 PM

here in VA the cops can be nazi's. you're best off spending a little more and getting a flatbed. if i remember correct(i'd verify this), you won't need to worry about plates on the car because the car is on the trailer. the doly gets tricky cause the car isn't really "ON" the trailer and some states get stupid. i could be wrong tho so look into it!

mr3 · 10-04-2009, 07:24 PM

When I was looking for the hard facts I was told to check out the RV forums. Yes, they have forums for people who travel across the country through each state.

toyotaspeed90 · 10-04-2009, 09:20 PM

there are people who flat tow mr2's all the time behind RV's, no problems. My 87 was flat towed by a previous owner and the only problem they ever had was a BHG with the car....

Uhaul won't let you tow rear down because they claim that if it "pops into gear" it can cause drivetrain problems.... which really is only the case if somehow the engine has a rod through the block and cannot rotate.... that being said, if the car already has that problem then who really cares about a $70 transmission.

Also, Uhaul has pretty bad customer service as a whole. I bought a 2 without motor & trans and they told me they couldn't because of drivetrain problems.... told them time and again there was no drivetrain to damage.... they declined. Finally broke down and decided to get a car hauler... took the 4.3l 4x4 4 door blazer down there and they wouldn't let us because the trailer & car (if all there) was 100lbs heavier....

Another time with Uhaul I needed a tow a car on a Sunday (only Uhaul was open) and they wouldn't let me use my truck (which in the past they have....) and claimed it was a "new policy" that if you don't have a hitch without a specific weight class then you can't use their equipment. Oddly enough it's an 86 f150 with a 351.... the bumper ball is part of the bumper (which is heavy steel and heavily welded) and integrated into the frame... much stronger than many 5000lb hitches I've seen. They required me to loan their crappy 08 F150 with a small v8... even towing the trailer w/o the car on it the truck could barely get out of it's own way.

One other time, a while ago, I lied to them and told them I was towing a geo metro... they let me take the dolly with my truck and I towed my 87 with the rear down... only problem I had was getting the stupid non running car onto the dolly as it didn't have a winch.

mr2tim · 10-04-2009, 09:28 PM

In checking my 1989 Owners' Manual the following is noted:

Do NOT tow with the key removed or in the "Lock" position

**Automatics must have proper transmission fluid level maintained and must NOT exceed 30mph and CANNOT be towed more than 50 miles when towed from the FRONT.

**Never tow a vehicle with an automatic transmission from the rear with the rear OR 4 wheels on the ground

Toyota Motor Company recommends using a towing dolly when a Manual Transmission car is towed from the rear. (Page 137):omg

And for you snowbirds up there in Snowville, Toyota notes that chains should be used on all 4 wheels only.

Funny note: Occupants and luggage weight can be no more than 400lbs

Supercharzed Toyz Raczing
A Toyota Race Team since 1989

jimmer411 · 10-05-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr3

Uhaul wont let you rent a tow dolly from them if you are towing the mr2. I was going to buy a tow dolly and I was researching and they said if the car is not registered you can get away with that by towing with the back end up. It depends on the cops though I would say. You could say it's a recovery tow and get away by towing front up. I never had any experience doing it so I'm not really any help. The steering wheel does lock and you should be able to have it lock in the center if you do end up going back end up.

Lie to them. Tell them its a FWD civic, how will they prove you wrong?

dirocyn · 10-07-2009, 10:39 AM

I've looked at doing this before, I would not tow an automatic with the rear wheels on the ground (see above). If you put the rear of an MR2 on the dolly, loop the seat belt around the steering wheel so the steering wheel can't turn--even then it may tend to pull one way or the other since the wheels won't be perfectly straight.

I personally prefer a 16' trailer over tow dollies because it's easier to control (also it's possible to back up) and you don't have to worry about the tires/suspension on the towed vehicle. A trailer with brakes is even better.

If you do go with a dolly, Uhaul has no way of knowing what you're towing. You tow an empty dolly away from their store, you tow an empty dolly back to their store.

09-27-2009, 10:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
3MTA3 No Skills Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I need towing advice I plan to tow my new (to me) '87 standard MR2 about 150 miles on a two-wheel dolly. If the rear wheels are up, I guess I'll have to keep the front wheels from turning. If the front wheels are up, I'll put it in neutral. Front wheels up seems like less work for me, but do the rear wheels really need to be up? Thanks

10-04-2009, 09:28 PM	#13 (permalink)
mr2tim SUPERcharZed ToyZ RacZer Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 690 Thanks: 2 Thanked 41 Times in 38 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	No Bimbos!! In checking my 1989 Owners' Manual the following is noted: Do NOT tow with the key removed or in the "Lock" position Automatics must have proper transmission fluid level maintained and must NOT exceed 30mph and CANNOT be towed more than 50 miles when towed from the FRONT. Never tow a vehicle with an automatic transmission from the rear with the rear OR 4 wheels on the ground Toyota Motor Company recommends using a towing dolly when a Manual Transmission car is towed from the rear. (Page 137):omg And for you snowbirds up there in Snowville, Toyota notes that chains should be used on all 4 wheels only. Funny note: Occupants and luggage weight can be no more than 400lbs Supercharzed Toyz Raczing A Toyota Race Team since 1989

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09-27-2009, 11:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
heavenlydeath 86 project Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Butler. TN Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	i had to tow a few cars with a dolly like yours. front up is the best way togo

09-27-2009, 02:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
como Road Warrior Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 514 Thanks: 13 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Don't know too much about towing, but I'd imagine I'd put front wheels up and just throw her into neutral...

09-27-2009, 04:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
mr3 Cage Fighter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Plymouth Mtg, Pa Posts: 839 Thanks: 18 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Uhaul wont let you rent a tow dolly from them if you are towing the mr2. I was going to buy a tow dolly and I was researching and they said if the car is not registered you can get away with that by towing with the back end up. It depends on the cops though I would say. You could say it's a recovery tow and get away by towing front up. I never had any experience doing it so I'm not really any help. The steering wheel does lock and you should be able to have it lock in the center if you do end up going back end up.

09-27-2009, 07:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
3MTA3 No Skills Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	mr3, I don't understand why uhaul won't let me rent a tow dolly from them if I am towing the mr2. How do they know if I lie? Also, what does registration have to do with which end is up? Is that something to do with if the license plate is visible?

09-27-2009, 07:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
traintech86 Traintech86 on all im's Join Date: May 2009 Location: Norfolk VA Posts: 912 Thanks: 13 Thanked 25 Times in 24 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	i asked about this before, make sure you AREN'T (wink) towing a mr2... maybe a carolla? >>

09-27-2009, 08:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
mr3 Cage Fighter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Plymouth Mtg, Pa Posts: 839 Thanks: 18 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Make sure to say its an 88+ corolla. And yes registration has to do with the license plate. We only have rear plates in PA so if the back ends up they wont be able to tell.

09-27-2009, 09:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
3MTA3 No Skills Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Hmm, my new pride and joy doesn't have plates (or registration or title or insurance). I just thought the dolly plates would be enough. Do the dollies even have plates? I'm doing this in Virginia, and I towed a fully licensed and insured FWD vehicle in Virginia recently.

09-28-2009, 11:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
mr2_jake Many skills... Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Billings, MT Posts: 83 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I towed my deuce from Reno to Billings (~1000 miles) back end up. No troubles the whole way.

10-04-2009, 07:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
traintech86 Traintech86 on all im's Join Date: May 2009 Location: Norfolk VA Posts: 912 Thanks: 13 Thanked 25 Times in 24 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	here in VA the cops can be nazi's. you're best off spending a little more and getting a flatbed. if i remember correct(i'd verify this), you won't need to worry about plates on the car because the car is on the trailer. the doly gets tricky cause the car isn't really "ON" the trailer and some states get stupid. i could be wrong tho so look into it!

10-04-2009, 07:24 PM	#11 (permalink)
mr3 Cage Fighter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Plymouth Mtg, Pa Posts: 839 Thanks: 18 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	When I was looking for the hard facts I was told to check out the RV forums. Yes, they have forums for people who travel across the country through each state.

10-04-2009, 09:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
toyotaspeed90 No Skills Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 422 Thanks: 0 Thanked 32 Times in 32 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	there are people who flat tow mr2's all the time behind RV's, no problems. My 87 was flat towed by a previous owner and the only problem they ever had was a BHG with the car.... Uhaul won't let you tow rear down because they claim that if it "pops into gear" it can cause drivetrain problems.... which really is only the case if somehow the engine has a rod through the block and cannot rotate.... that being said, if the car already has that problem then who really cares about a $70 transmission. Also, Uhaul has pretty bad customer service as a whole. I bought a 2 without motor & trans and they told me they couldn't because of drivetrain problems.... told them time and again there was no drivetrain to damage.... they declined. Finally broke down and decided to get a car hauler... took the 4.3l 4x4 4 door blazer down there and they wouldn't let us because the trailer & car (if all there) was 100lbs heavier.... Another time with Uhaul I needed a tow a car on a Sunday (only Uhaul was open) and they wouldn't let me use my truck (which in the past they have....) and claimed it was a "new policy" that if you don't have a hitch without a specific weight class then you can't use their equipment. Oddly enough it's an 86 f150 with a 351.... the bumper ball is part of the bumper (which is heavy steel and heavily welded) and integrated into the frame... much stronger than many 5000lb hitches I've seen. They required me to loan their crappy 08 F150 with a small v8... even towing the trailer w/o the car on it the truck could barely get out of it's own way. One other time, a while ago, I lied to them and told them I was towing a geo metro... they let me take the dolly with my truck and I towed my 87 with the rear down... only problem I had was getting the stupid non running car onto the dolly as it didn't have a winch.

10-07-2009, 10:39 AM	#15 (permalink)
dirocyn Cage Fighter Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 133 Thanks: 6 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I've looked at doing this before, I would not tow an automatic with the rear wheels on the ground (see above). If you put the rear of an MR2 on the dolly, loop the seat belt around the steering wheel so the steering wheel can't turn--even then it may tend to pull one way or the other since the wheels won't be perfectly straight. I personally prefer a 16' trailer over tow dollies because it's easier to control (also it's possible to back up) and you don't have to worry about the tires/suspension on the towed vehicle. A trailer with brakes is even better. If you do go with a dolly, Uhaul has no way of knowing what you're towing. You tow an empty dolly away from their store, you tow an empty dolly back to their store.