Last minute towing advice?

[Roadster]

I apologize if this has been covered to death but I was unable to turn up anything in a search. Friday we will be loading the DeLorean (not running) onto a u-haul car trailer and am looking for any last minute advice on towing or securing unique to the D. I know enough not to tow it backwards.

Soon it will be on it's way to the doctor and back on the road. Thanks!

[jackb]

Nothing unique about towing.
Facing forward, on a hauler (vs a dolly), well secured.
I'll be towing mine to AZ the day after tomorrow. Also, I'll be securing mine by straps around the tire, not the frame.
Check your insurance covers the car and/or trailer when it's being towed. When i called to check for myself, i found out Both the trailer and car on it are covered when my own truck is doing the towing, but if I am using a rental truck to pull the trailer, neither would be covered.

[Roadster]

Thanks!

Yeah, it's a flat car hauler, not a tow dolly. I'll double check the insurance but we're using my dad's diesel Silverado to tow it.

[SS Spoiler]

Just wondering because of the heavy rear weight bias of the DeLorean , would towing backwards be safer? I suppose it depends on wether the car can be positioned far enough forward to give good tongue weight on the hitch. I towed mine from MN. to MT. backwards with no problems. Someone needs to do a test?

Paul Cerny #2691
Kalispell, MT

[Roadster]

You are probably right that towing backward might be more ideal but the car as a whole really doesn't weigh that much. In my uneducated opinion, I'm thinking it doesn't really make much of a difference.

I'd rather tow it facing forward and not have to remove the louver lest it be sacrificed it to the wind gods.

[Nicholas R]

Just wondering because of the heavy rear weight bias of the DeLorean , would towing backwards be safer? I suppose it depends on wether the car can be positioned far enough forward to give good tongue weight on the hitch. I towed mine from MN. to MT. backwards with no problems. Someone needs to do a test?

Paul Cerny #2691
Kalispell, MT

Most cars aren't as heavy as yours in the back because they dont have the spoiler, haha :wink:

I've always towed them forward, and just made sure they were a little off center on the trailer (a little more forward on the trailer) to compensate for the weight distribution.

[David T]

You are correct, towing it loaded backwards is the better way because of the tongue weight. If you can get it far enough forward then it is OK to do it frontways. If you do tow rear facing use a tarp over the rear louvre or a car cover. When I load it into my enclosed trailer aerodynamics is not a problem. I go straight with the front tie-downs and cross the rears to keep the rear from moving sideways. I also release the brakes and keep it in neutral letting the straps hold the car. When first towing stop every 15 minutes or so and make sure the straps stay tight and check the hitch and lug nuts. Once you know everything is good make sure all of your trailer lights work and the tire pressures are OK. If it is a non-runner make sure you have enough tire pressure in the tires so it can roll and you will need some kind of winch to pull it onto the trailer. Do NOT hook anything to the lower control arms, they bend easily. Use the loops as long as the frame is not rotten.
David Teitelbaum

[Jimmyvonviggle]

You have to tow it forward or else you risk the wind catching the louvers and ripping it off the car.

Also make sure you rent the wider trailer, as I think their regular carrier is too narrow.

Also when you tow the car you might want to cut a piece of cardboard or kids play mat and place over the windshield and wrap that part of car with that plastic wrap. You would be surprised how many stones get kicked up and might hit the windshield.

Lastly don't drive too fast and watch out for rude drivers that will tailgate and cut you off.

[Tillsy]

For handling and safety I towed my D backwards when I first picked her up - I wasn't going to try towing her with that weight hanging on the wrong end of the trailer!

It was a still day so, at the slow speeds I took her, I didn't bother with a tarp in the end. Mind you I have the newer louvre brace on #6679, wouldn't have dared it without.

Went without a hitch!

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=11391

[eagle-co94]

I just towed two of my cars on a flatbed Uhaul trailer nose first with no issues. I was using a Buick Roadmaster wagon though so the trailer was sitting lower in the front a little bit already. I transferred the trailer to my Mercedes G wagon whose hitch was a good 6" taller in order to move it into position with the added power and gearing of the G and still didn't have any weight shifting issues. With the car all the way to the front of the trailer the door lock was centered over the trailer axles so if anything the car's center of gravity was beyond the middle of the trailer. I did this twice in the same day, roughly 180 miles each time.

[Rich]

For those wondering where the fore/aft center of gravity is on a D it can be calculated as being 33in./84cm forward of the rear axle based on the 35%/65% F/R weight distribution and the ~95in. wheelbase. That works out to being ~62in/158cm back from the front axle of the car.

Anything in the car ahead of the trailer axle will increase the trailer tongue load. Recommended trailer tongue load 10-15%% of the loaded trailer weight.

[Tillsy]

Anything in the car ahead of the trailer axle will increase the trailer tongue load. Recommended trailer tongue load 10-15%% of the loaded trailer weight.

And to the rear of it is suicide - my car, tow bar, and trailer instructions strictly forbid that, weight has to be on or forward of the axle otherwise the lifting pressure would be a death trap.

Rearward as close to trailer axle as possible was almost a perfect balance - facing forward wasn't even possible to get the ass over the axle, at least with the trailer I used.

This left only the louvred as an issue but with no wind, slow speeds, and the tough brace it wasn't a drama at all.

[eagle-co94]

Doing a rough calculation with MS paint the center of gravity on the D is roughly in the middle of the door handle. That would mean about 9" forward of the center of the axles on this UHaul trailer:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/eagle-co94/DeLorean/CIMG4185_zpsc5e3c8dd.jpg

Seeing how low the wagon is I'd say I've got plenty of weight on the tongue. I'm just happy it was a class IV hitch and the wagon had the tow package.

[Jimmyvonviggle]

Doing a rough calculation with MS paint the center of gravity on the D is roughly in the middle of the door handle. That would mean about 9" forward of the center of the axles on this UHaul trailer:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/eagle-co94/DeLorean/CIMG4185_zpsc5e3c8dd.jpg

Seeing how low the wagon is I'd say I've got plenty of weight on the tongue. I'm just happy it was a class IV hitch and the wagon had the tow package.


The problem with your hook up Is the hitch is so low forcing the trailer to angle down. If anyone is towing get a ball attachment that sits higher, or reverse the ball in its arm to give you a few more inches in height (not sure if this makes sense).

[ALEXAKOS]

My connection in FL towed it forward with the U-HAUL trailer. (Also not working D)

http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz135/alex-akos/delorean/CIMG2538_zps0965de1c.jpg
http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz135/alex-akos/delorean/CIMG2541_zps3b4471de.jpg

Keep the rear (heavy part) as close on to the trailer's axle as possible.
Also applies on backward towing. DO NOT put too much weight on the car's coupling!!!

[Roadster]

Awesome tips, everyone. The pictures definitely say a lot here. It looks like the DeLorean is just about as wide as you can go on that trailer.

[Rich]

Recommended trailer tongue load 10-15%% of the loaded trailer weight.

Seconding the note from Alexakos, too.

Assuming that the steel U-Haul trailer weighs in at 600lb and adding the D at 2800lb puts the total at 3400lb without extras. 10-15% of that load works out to ~400lb at the trailer tongue if loaded correctly. The old wagon just might not have the suspension and geometry to take it, hence the low-rider stance back there. Raising the receiver/hitch will bring up the tongue and will level the trailer but the station wagon will still be dragging its rear end with the D loaded as it shows there.

It's possible that the tongue weight in the photo is >>400lb.

In any case you want to be sure it's not over the max. rating of the hitch or tow vehicle. No fun looking in the rearview mirror watching your hitch, trailer, Delorean and safety chains drifting away behind you.

[Jimmyvonviggle]

Seconding the note from Alexakos, too.

Assuming that the steel U-Haul trailer weighs in at 600lb and adding the D at 2800lb puts the total at 3400lb without extras. 10-15% of that load works out to ~400lb at the trailer tongue if loaded correctly. The old wagon just might not have the suspension and geometry to take it, hence the low-rider stance back there. Raising the receiver/hitch will bring up the tongue and will level the trailer but the station wagon will still be dragging its rear end with the D loaded as it shows there.

It's possible that the tongue weight in the photo is >>400lb.

In any case you want to be sure it's not over the max. rating of the hitch or tow vehicle. No fun looking in the rearview mirror watching your hitch, trailer, Delorean and safety chains drifting away behind you.

Just FYI I was told that the trailer weighs over 2000lbs which surprised me.

[eagle-co94]

The wagons with towpack are rated for 5000lbs so no concern there at all. The factory load leveling system died otherwise the back end would have been sitting higher. Add in the Class IV hitch, lots of experience towing and the integrated e-brake system on the trailer and the only issue I had was loading and unloading 2 DeLoreans that had been sitting over 3 years and the 4 180 mile legs all in one day.

[medicine man]

Is there any problem driving the Delorean onto the trailer? Does the airdam scrape the trailer bed when at the top of ramp?

[David T]

If it does you can get it on with 2 short pieces of 2 X 4 at the bottom of the ramps. If the car is dead you have to winch it on. Putting it on backwards has other advantages. If the car is dead and you have to get it off you can just get in and have someone push it and you can just roll it right off driving straight ahead, not backwards. If the brakes don't work you need some room to stop. The trailer should be level when hooked up to the tow vehicle. If necessary you must adjust the height of the top of the ball. The tow vehicle also has to be level so you can't just raise the ball if the tow vehicle can't handle the tongue weight. That is why an equalizing hitch is so valuable. It also gives you sway control. You never get that when you rent. When towing with a tow dolly you cannot do it backwards and you CANNOT back up.
David Teitelbaum

[jackb]

Just finished towing my D from CA to AZ, 700 miles.
My D has lowered front springs, and driving it on the trailer it juuust barely scraped a tiiiiny bit. Zero scraping on the way off.
You have to load the car as far forward as possible on this style of trailer, it worked perfectly in this case keeping the CG of the Delorean exactly at the center of the axles.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c348/kaaooga3/IMG_4667_zpsb14a3b7f.jpg

[marshdutt]

so... whats wrong with using a dolly??

[Dangermouse]

A rear drive car should have its driven wheels on the dolly and with a D that presents two problems; the above mentioned louvers and also the real possibility of damage to the front fascia skirt due to the angle of the car, particularly on cars with lowered front suspension.

[eagle-co94]

An AUTOMATIC car should have is driven wheels off the ground when towing. If your car is a manual there is no harm in using a Dolly with the drive wheels on the ground. That's how my latest D was towed to my house by the towing company.

[Ron]

so... whats wrong with using a dolly??
$.03
With some automatics, there are parts that will be damaged because they run out of lube since the pump is not working while the engine is not running. Most are this way, being why you can't push start the vehicle. For others, the pump will work w/o the engine running. Once the speed gets up bit, the engine will turn over. (Very dangerous with a non-swivel type dolly since the ignition is left on to unlock the steering.... For example, a MPV can do this even if it is in Neutral...often causing internals to bind up, virtually putting it in gear!!!) On some, it don't matter (It all depends on how the final drive is engaged).

[LordFly]

I only had to tow it 3 hours to get home. Most stressful 3 hours of my life. I watched the mirrors more than the road. But all arrived safe and sound in the end. I also bought 4 of the biggest ratchet straps available top tie it down :)

17666

[SS Spoiler]

Interesting use of wheel spokes to tie car down.......

[Josh]

Interesting use of wheel spokes to tie car down.......

Yeah I would recommend against strapping to the wheels like that. The rear has two hook points or you can always purchase wheel straps, they kind of cup around the wheels.

[David T]

You should never knot or kink the strapping like that. It weakens it a LOT. If you don't have the kind that goes over the wheels you should have gone for the tie down points on the frame. As for towing an automatic, you can't tow most automatics, they only have a front pump and it only works if the motor is running. Back in the day (as they now say) there were some autos that had TWO pumps, one in front, driven by the motor, and one in the rear driven by the output shaft (or the rear wheels). Those you can tow, but unless you KNOW the car has a rear pump the best advice is to get the rear wheels off the ground or remove the half-shafts before towing an automatic. The Delorean Renault automatic transmission only has a front pump. The general rule is not over 35 MPH or 35 miles if you have to tow it with the rear wheels on the ground. Glad to hear you little trip was uneventful. BTW, U-Haul will tell you when using their trailer you are not supposed to exceed 50 MPH.
David Teitelbaum