okay bear with me guys, I know this is not specific to 80-86 Ford trucks but kinda is because I will want to buy one that is not running and bring it home, or my own truck may take a crap and have to be rescued.

-towing home with strap FUGGEDABOUWDBIT. ain't gonna happen, though I have done it, I mean, maybe if its right in town nearby....

-big trailer: I likey, but takes up a hell of a lot of room, need brakes on the trailer, I would think, expensive initial cost, about two grand
tougher to get the vehicle on, and requires more straps/chains. I am always by myself in these endevours and that could be tough

-tow dolly: I have been looking at some used ones, not bad at $500 or so
also the tow dolly wouldn't take up that much room in the yard or garage
seems like it would be much easier to get the truck on and on the way by myself

now with the tow dolly I would prefer to tow the truck backwards but it doesn't look like that is what they do. So I would have to unhook the driveshaft and thats no problem but then gear lube or ATF would make a big *** mess

still the tow dolly looks like the best way to go. How bad would it be on the transmission to have it turning for a hundred miles or more?

I know you guys have a lot of experience and good ideas, just want to know what you think.

 

unless you have a lot of use for it a rental is much less expensive . uhaul or most local rental companies have good quality dollies or car hauling trailers.

 

Badda-Bing! Tow it frontwards and remove the drive shaft at the pinion yoke and tie it up in the frame.

 

I agree. Or get a 4x4 / manual trans.

 

Don't tow a 4x2 manual trans with the shaft hooked up however. Without the input shaft turning the bearings won't get lubed and I've seen a np435 split in half because of this, just proves you can't fix stupid

 

My prefence is a trailer, then you don't need to worry about tires, wheelbearings, anything, just load it up and go.

 

I too vote trailer. Yes I have used both and the tow dollies can be a pain. Try backing up one with a truck on it. Not fun!!! I have rented a U-Haul trailer. It cost me about $80 when all said and done. Now that I have a friend with a trailer it's easy street. lol

 

For I truck or a big rear wheel drive car, I use my buddies trailer. But, for a little front wheel drive car, the dollies have their place. Just a helpful hint, if you rent one, just tell them you are staying in town. My experience has been its just a flat rate of about $50. Otherwise, they will ask you where you are going and charge by the mile. Of course I'm sure if you leave town and have an accident there may be some legalities, so I'm not suggesting you do that.

 

Its easier to use a trailer with a winch to pull the vehicle up on it. Most car dollies will not fit a full size Ford truck or not fit properly. Also loading a heavy dead truck on it is not fun at all(been there, done that).

I use a tandom axle trailer and have pulled my 89 F250(5200lbs truck) home with the 84 Blue Mule and the trailer did not have brakes functional at that time. Just take things slow and THINK safety 1st!

 

Anybody ever used the old bumper tow bars? I did once...once.

 

thanks guys, I pretty much must have been smoking something when I was thinking dolley.

I've been looking at trailers on CL and they have tandem axle utility trailers that are 77" wide, I measured my Chevy 3/4 ton and Bronco and they are very close to that, but can't really see what the extra $ for a true car hauler is.

Also I think even though it costs more I want some short pipe frame sides, I know its not much that you still need a vehicle properly secured, but the ones with no sides at all look too naked.

 

Pickups are wider than you think. I have never tried it personally, but the u-haul place told me their trailers would not haul a full size pickup because it would not fit. I finally built my own trailer, and I recommend you not have sides on it. It makes it more versatile if you have removable sides. Also the ones with sides that i have seen, seem to be more cheaply built. They use the side rails as a structural part of the trailer, so the lower frame is much smaller. But that's my opinion, you might not have much choice if the right deal comes along. After I built my trailer, I don't know what I did without it before.

 

I personally prefer them with minimal to no sides, they just get in the way. I make sure I have plenty of good tie down points all along the side and ends. They tend to cheapen up the sided trailers and make the pipes part of the frame. I like having a better frame to start with. Dollies are not intended for our bigger trucks, only for smaller cars. The only thing keeping the vehicle on the dolly besides gravity is the tire straps.

 

cool, I learned that now I don't want any sides, excellent info and thanks again my friends

 

I'm grabbing an '83 F-150 on Saturday morning and was planning on using a U-Haul dolly. I will be towing the truck about 2 hours (approx) on nearly all interstate.

A trailer would be nice, yes...but it will only be myself alone. I can slide the dolly (truck don't run) under it as it would be hopeless to attempt to load it on a trailer.