The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Towing a truck

Hi everyone again, I was wondering if anyone knew how much a u-haul trailer cost to rent and if it is okay to haul a truck(1954 chevy 3100) with one. I might be able to get a tow dolly from my neighbor but I have read the towing article in the tech tips and plus the tires are flat and I don't know if they will even air up as they are dry rotted. For some reason the truck has a brand new spare on the tire mount but as I said the others are rotted. Thanks.


JDL

Only U-haul will know how much they charge and they will want to know what you are pulling and what you are pulling it with.

You might be able to get a good deal from a wrecker service. Talk to them in advance and explain it's not a roadside emergency and there's no rush. Also some wrecking yards have private wreckers that aren't supposed to be for hire but will do you a favor if you slip a little "favor" in their back pocket.

WARNING WARNING WARNING
If you try to air those tires, don't stand anywhere near them. Rotted tires explode violently. Use a clip on air chuck and clip it on with the air turned off. Then get away and turn on the air and see what happens. If it fills let it stabilize a few minutes before you go near it to get the chuck. Getting to the next tire isn't as important as your life.

Cletis, I was wondering how you know about the tires?

A friend of mine was killed bending over a weather cracked tire while airing it. Left a pretty young widow and a 4 year old son.

Hi jdl, I hope your Mom let you get that truck! We towed a 54 Chevy 3100 from St. Louis to Florida on a U-Haul trailer, and another 54 Chevy 3100 from Kansas to Florida with a U-Haul trailer - both times the trailers did just fine. I don't know if U-Haul has the 3100's in their database as acceptable vehicles to tow on their trailers. Both times we told them that we were towing a different vehicle on the trailer (a newer smaller car). This is not to tell you what to do if you use one of their trailers, only passing on my experiences with using their trailers. Good Luck, and congratulations if that's they truck you're getting! I got my 54 Chevy 3100 when I was in my teens and I still have it.
Samantha

Samantha, I haven't got the truck yet, but my mom said that if I found out how to get it home even though it isn't that far away(5 miles) and if I will stop talking about it she will let me get it.

Oh and Cletis, I'm pretty sure that I have tires that will go on the truck so I may not even have to deal with the rotted tires.

Hey there, Uhaul will have trailers that will pick all four wheels off the ground and I have used them twice to move my 66 SWB a few times now - they are not bad, but you may wanna think about strapping the truck down to compress the suspension thus reducing how much it bounces etc. I personally work for a tow service and will tell you that tow services besides having insurance, the drivers will know how to transport your new "pride and joy" with care. If you have the money - i'd say have a professional do it. If your cash is tight u'haul is a viable option.

I used to work for u haul (10 years ago) and they will not let you tow a full size truck on their car trailer (auto transport) so I agree just tell them you will be towing something else on it. The truck will fit.

FYI, if it is only 5 miles hiring a wrecker to go get it in their free time is going to be MUCH cheaper than renting a trailer and all the assorted hastle that goes with it. They will place it exactly where you want it plus they are bonded and insured. Go for it.

Hauled a '57 Chevy station wagon from Ohio to Florida about 10 years ago. I had to play their silly little games to do it. Said the wagon was too heavy...Factory weight is only 3400lbs. I asked about weight ratings on the trailer, length of vehicle, etc. The wagon fell within their specs, but they wouldn't approve it because, they said, it was too long and too heavy. The real problem was that their list of approved vehicles didn't cover cars that old. Your truck will be in the same category. I finally looked at the guy and said "If I tell you I'm hauling a Honda, will you rent me the trailer?" He said yes, so I said "Fine. I'm hauling a Honda" and they hooked it up. Lesson number two, by the way, is never trust the idiot to screw the trailer lock down onto the ball. He didn't, and when we pushed the car onto the trailer, it popped off the ball and went forward. Fortunatly, we had the trailer jack-knifed to load the car on, so it didn't crash into my new truck's tailgate, but that's beside the point.

I had zero problem towing it with a regular-cab, 318-powered '97 Dodge Dakota.

-Brad

If you are going t ouse a car dolly, make sure you have a full size pickup with some weight in the back. If you take a corner on loose gravel or slippery surface, the dolly will push the rear end of your vehicle around. Also don't tow it too fast with a vehicle on the back.

I just moved a 52 1 ton truck from PA to NY with a U-Haul carrier and they had no issues what so ever. The guy that was there was even a car guy said people do it all the time. Their biggest hang up was the going out of state and returning it, since they would rather it be a drop and carry. I paid about 60.00 for the carrier and that had all 4 wheels off the ground. The 1 Ton barely made it on the carrier and we strapped it well down but it was on there.

I agree with Justhorsenaround. Since you only have to go 5 miles, it doesn't hardly pay to screw around renting a trailer. If you can hire a wrecker, you'd probably be better off.
If you're in a rural area, a couple guys with a tractor and a little common sense could just about tow it home on back roads. (The key words here are "common sense"!)

Rich's Toys: I do live in the country. The thing is that the roads are bad and most of the people that have wreckers charge $80 just to tow a truck. Thats why I thought of renting a trailer because I figured it was cheaper than a wrecker but safer than a dolly.


Also if the truck turns out to be in good enough condition for a dolly we will probably be using a '94 chevy 4X4 blazer going about 15 miles an hour or less.

Or do like I did with my '54 Buick project a couple years ago...get the AAA (Triple A) "Unlimited Towing Plan."
Me: "Hi. I need my car towed from work to my home."
Them: "Okay. Where is it located?"
The tech shop here at work.
"Okay. Do you know what the problem is?"
Yes.
"Does it start?"
No.
"It doesn't run?"
No.
"Okay, the driver will be there in 20 minutes."
Guy gets there (Keep in my, the tech shop is for the car magazine publisher I worked for). "Well, let's take a look. Will it start?"
No.
"Are you sure?"
Pretty sure.
"Do you have any idea why it won't run? Have you tried it? Could it be the battery."
No, it's not the battery...
"Are you sure? Sometimes they just die."
Yeah, I'm pretty sure.
"How do you know for sure, is it a new battery?"
No...I know it won't run because the engine is over there on that stand.
"Oh. And you want US to tow your car home?"
Yeah. I have the unlimited towing package.

And home it went! After the third time, they started giving me greif, and wouldn't tow my '54 Buick in town anymore.

-Brad

If you can find somebody that does towing and they are close or going to be going the right direction empty sometimes they'll haul it for you fairly cheap. I drive a rollback part time and my boss usually only charges around 45 or 50 bucks for a local haul like that. Alot of the time I've picked them up if I was on the way that direction and empty for only 35 so just look around check out the little guys. Sorry we're not located there to help you but that's the way it goes.

I had mine ramp truck towed and it cost less than renting a trailier. Uhail has a calcualter on their website that lets you enter the tow vehicle. If it is not big enough they wont rent to you.


I have AAA and they will tow up to 5 miles regardless. Unfortunately I had to go 100 miles (I don't have unlimited.)But they still cover the basic fee plus 5 miles so I towed mine 100 miles for about $200.

Hey i will second the wrecker i had my 37 brought home after 10 years in storeage and it only cost me 50 bucks and that was hauling it 10 -12 miles. they put it on a flat bed much easier then messing around renting a trailer .i have pulled this truck with a trailer once that i owed (omg) what a pain that turned out to be no fun Winching an old truck up onto a trailer.Good luck hope that helps Later Earl

Let's see if I've got this straight...you live in the country, in rural Indiana, you're going to have to drive over some poorly maintained roads for a total of 5 miles. The truck has questionalble tires (may or not hold air) you must have access to a tow vehicle if you're considering using a U-haul trailer or dolly.

Having used both I'd say nix to both! Too much money, a deposit, light hookup and you've got to figure out how to drag the truck up on both. You'll have to put some air in the tires sooner or later....you've been informed about the danger of airing up really old tires.....so don't go for 35 psi....10 psi will keep you off the rims. Eventually, you're going to have to have some tires on the truck to move it around once you get it home.

My suggestion would be to air the tires (cautiously), replace any with used tires if they don't hold air, hook a nylon tow strap to the old girl and assuming the brakes are inoperative, proceed home at slow speed. If you're lucky enough to have an operational emergeny brake it might give you an additional sense of security. The soft tires in the cold weather are going to drag so just keep your speed down to 15-20 mph....in 20 minutes you'll be home.

Hiring a tow truck or a roll-back would be the ideal way to get the truck home but 5 miles on a rural road!!! Of course it's your choice but let me assure you that the majority of old truck folks have used a tow strap, and with a little common sense,have gotten the job done.

Dave

Fla54Chevy3100, I have even thought of this to get the truck home but from what some have said I thought I had better use this as a last resort. From what I've been told, the truck has breaks but not very good. Also, I read the online manual and it said that if the truck was pulled it could damage the transmission if the rear wheels were on the ground without disconnecting the drive shaft? The tires might hold air as the owner has aired them up before but they do look old. Also, what is the size of tires on these old trucks. I have 4, 15 inch tires that are in good shape but I don't know what size rims that these trucks have. Hopefully, I and those around me have enough common sense to get the truck home !!

"Also, I read the online manual and it said that if the truck was pulled it could damage the transmission if the rear wheels were on the ground without disconnecting the drive shaft?"

This applies to automatic transmissions. Does your truck have a Hydramatic? If so that's a plus. '54 is the first year Chevy offered them.

What size wheels the truck came with and what size wheels are on it 50 some years later are usually 2 different animals. You'll just have to look.

Some manual transmissions don't like to be towed even in neutral, as the counter-shaft will not turn and stir up the oil to lube the turning output shaft. If in doubt and it's a short trip let the truck idle in neutral while being towed, this will ensure the transmission gets oiled.
If it's a long tow, and or not running then pulling the axle shafts (3/4 ton and up) or removing the driveshaft from the rear axle is a good idea.

Grigg

Quote"My suggestion would be to air the tires (cautiously), replace any with used tires if they don't hold air, hook a nylon tow strap to the old girl and assuming the brakes are inoperative, proceed home at slow speed. If you're lucky enough to have an operational emergeny brake it might give you an additional sense of security. The soft tires in the cold weather are going to drag so just keep your speed down to 15-20 mph....in 20 minutes you'll be home."
My mom always said when ever you ASSUME you Make AN [censored] OUT OF U & ME . Never assume [censored] when it comes to Saftey. and old tires brakes etc.....Dear God. Just my unasked for 2cents .Earl

Hey Earl, you should never assume that things are in good condition. In this case, it would be assuming things are in bad condition. So I don't think it could make an _______ out of me.

Just do it.

you could of had it home by now.

I know I could of had it home by now, but with my mom working most of the time I really have like only 2 days out of the week to do it and I am still trying( maybe I should try harder) to persuade my mom to give me(such a small amount) $14 dollars so I can pay for the truck. I guess I don't have to be in such a hurry as I'm really the only one that knows the truck is for sale. Oh well, if I have waited to get it for 2 years, I can wait for a couple of days.

When I bought my 54 3100 back in 1976, I towed it using a towbar 400 miles from southern Illinois up to the Chicago area. It's a 3 speed - I just put it in neutral. The transmission still works great and hasn't been opened up. Towing it 5 miles won't be a problem and, as others have said, take it easy, make sure tires, etc. will hold and please BE SAFE! We need all our Bolter brothers and sisters, and especially the young ones!
Samantha

Ok, Samantha. I hope I am safe and smart enough to not get destroyed!!! I noticed that there's only one other 13 year old on the site. Why can't more people like old trucks. Oh, and I forgot. I'm not 12 ANYMORE!!!!! I turned 13 on the 24 of December. I survived another year, which may be amazing since I have asthma, got pneumonia, broke my ankle, and had to have surgery on it. All this I got last year.(except for asthma) But at least I get good grades.(straight A's) Oh, and it seems that your and my future truck have something in common. Both are '54's. Both are 3100's. Both are 3-speeds, although I call them 4-speeds because they have 3 forward gears and one reverse.

JDL, Happy Belated Birthday!! Hopefully this year will be better for you health wise. Yes, our trucks do have something in common, and along with the ones you mentioned, I wasn't much older than you when I got my first truck, which was quickly followed by my 54 3100. When I got mine, I didn't know any others my age that liked old trucks, and especially not any other girls.
Samantha

Thanks, Samantha. I don't know if any of you would like to see my future truck but if you do(you can't right now because I don't have any pictures of it) go to the gallery and look for Kevin Haney's 1954 1/2 ton.

What would the lug pattern be on the truck if it still has the original axles? I've asked my friend to check but he keeps forgetting. Just wanted to know.

6 lug

Bill

JDL, a car dolly would be fine going only 5 miles at a slow speed. If you haven't pulled a dead vehicle prior (seeing as you are only 13, I doubt it), I would not chance it.

My suggestion is to pay for the truck first to take ownership, then plan the project of taking possession.

are the roads from the truck to your house flat, up hill, down hill, both? Use this to plan your trip.

Use the tow dolly since you have a neighbor with one. In fact, bribe the neighbor into helping you. Heck if you lived closer, I would give you a hand, then make you work it off by cutting my lawn or something.

If you are not going that fast, the transmission will not spin fast enough to worry about loosing the oil film from the bearings (unless it has been not run for a long time) and the distance is not that much so heat build-up would not be a problem. If you are concerned about it, then remove the drive shaft.

Using the tow dolly means that you only need to mount two of the tires you have.

Just my $0.02

Scott

Scott, fortunately, my neighbor owes us for borrowing things so I won't have to bribe them, and they are friends. If you lived closer, I WOULD cut your lawn because I like to mow. My brother has helped tow vehicles with a dolly so using it shouldn't be a problem. One of the ways to the truck has a hill and is shorter, and doesn't have as much turns. The other way has more curves and is in better shape but is like 3 times as long. I will try to go for the 2 one since common sense tells me I should. Now I have to wait for the rain to stop so I can try to buy it.

I've towed vehicles all over the country. Tow barred a '60 pickup from Tulso Ok. to Marquette Mi (1100 miles), '51 GMC from Tulsa to Marquette on a dolly, Allis chalmers wc from Tulsa to Marquette on a trailer, '69 Plymouth from Marquette Mi. to Philly with a tow bar and not a problem with any. Just use your head and common sence. For short hauls I've run a chain through a piece of 2 inch pipe and bolted one end to each vehicle. If the vehicle being towed doesn't have brakes, the chain will keep the vehicles apart. On back roads, if you blow a tire, so what. Just keep going. Rims are cheap. Just my $.02 worth. Don

jdl:

If you live in the country, chances are you know some farmers with a tractor and a trailer for said tractor. Your truck will fit nicely on most trailers used to tow tractors. I personally tow my small Farmtrac on my car trailer, and I've brought home two 42 pickups and my 56 on the same trailer, as well as a few old Mustangs.

Five miles is next to nothing and I'm sure if you have a buddy who has a tractor and trailer, or maybe his dad or grandad has one, they'll probably handle it for you for fuel or maybe nothing!

I completely forgot about the chain and pipe trick....never did it myself, however I have seen it before.