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Tow bar brackets[200/1980] posted by Rob on
Friday, 15 June 2001, at 10:34 a.m.
Hello all, has anyone made(as no one does according to the RV shop) and installed brackets for a tow bar on a 240. I'm moving across country and $120.00 for a tow bar sounds better than $350.00 for a car dolly.
TIA
Rob N
Re: Tow bar brackets[200/1980] posted by Jim Bowers on
Friday, 15 June 2001, at 12:17 p.m.
Just my perspective!
Unless you have access to, and know how to use, a welding outfit and some metal working tools you'll be better off just renting the dolly.
I've got a home made bar, and have made brackets for a couple different cars. All the brackets I made bolted onto the car in place of the front bumper. Just over-design it and use oversize bolts and lock nuts everywhere.
Plan on using big safety chains as well.
You will have to isolate and connect the car's tail lights as a trailor.
For a cross country trip. I would also remove the drive shaft to avoid any possibility of doing in the transmission.
--Jim Bowers, North of Boston, '96 965 with 81K, Had '85 745 Turbo diesel for 200K
Re: Tow bar brackets[200/1981] posted by John Fraser on
Saturday, 16 June 2001, at 6:46 p.m.
Quick, easy, cheap, and no welding. Must remove front bumper including impact absorbers (easy). Carry bumper in tow vehicle. I bought some black water pipe from hardware store, I think it is 1 1/4 in. ID. Drill one hole through end to fit impact absorber bolt in engine compartment. Pipe slips into frame the same place as absorber. Drill hole through other end of pipe but crosswise to connect tow bar. Make a pipe for both sides and long enough so tow bar can be swung upward and leaned aganist front of hood when unhitched.
My car is an automatic so I unbolt the drive shaft at the rear most flange and just tie it up to the underside of the car with some nylon rope. Do a good job of this so shaft won't hit the ground if you go over a bump. Also put the key in the ignition to release the steering. The front wheels must be free to turn to follow the tow vehicle.
I've towed my car four times on 350 mile trips with no problems usually behind a UHaul truck.
Re: Tow bar brackets[200/1980] posted by Tom M. on
Saturday, 16 June 2001, at 8:09 p.m.
Another thought:
Purchase a used tow dolly and sell it when you get to your destination. I have seen good dollys available in the $600 - $800 range. You might even make money on the deal!
--
Tom