My bro-in-law has a 1994 Chevy Silverado extended cab long bed with a 350 in it that died on him not too far from me. He lives about 3 hours away but the truck is about 30 minute from where I live and it needs to be moved from it's current location to my house for now. From what I've read, a tow dolly won't handle this basd on the curb weight of the Chebby (about 4900 lbs) is more than the dolly from Uhaul can handle. I looked into the car transports (flat bed jobs) and I don't think they're long enough to handle the truck. At least nothing listed on their site says it will work.

Question is, would a tow dolly be safe for this for a short trip of about 25-30 miles? Or should I rent something else? I've used dolly's before to tow Jeeps and Rangers, but never a full size truck that long. I'd be pulling it with a 2003 F250 diesel, so the tow vehicle isn't an issue.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Maybe you could rent a tow bar from a tool rental place and flat tow it. Check the Chevy's manual to see if they have anything about flat towing. Worse case you drop the drive shaft and make sure the hubs are unlocked if 4WD.

 

Right or wrong, I have towed full sized trucks on U-Haul dollies.

For liability reasons, U-Haul equipment is grossly over built (or under rated, depending on your perspective) and can safely handle much heftier than the rated loads. But you would be assuming all liability since you are exceeding their standards. Take it easy as you have a lot of mass with minimal brakes!

And most car hauler trailers should be able to handle the wheelbase. The rear of bed may hang off, but since trucks are very nose heavy, tongue weight should still be quite adequate if you run the truck as far forward as you can.

 

If you were to tow that truck on a flat bed trailer won't that be way over the trailer max tounge weight for your 250. Vs's a dolly where most of the chevy truck weight will be on the axle of the dolly.

 

For the bumper yes, but the hitch no. The hitch that comes with the tow package is weighted to 12,500 I believe, but that's with a weight distributing setup. Either way, the way you configure the load on the trailer really makes the difference on tongue weight.

 

Worst comes to worst I've pulled one almost that far w/ a chain. Of course that was on deserted country roads. Might not want to do that on the interstate or something. Takes some more planning and both drivers have to pay attention and know what the other is doing. Is it 2 or 4wd? If 4 w/ a manual shifter just put the transfer case in neutral and you're good to go.

 

I think the 500/5000 weight carrying capacity on the factory hitch is kind of a joke. Just about every contractor I see is hauling a skid loader or some other equipment that is way over 500/5000 and none of them are using weight distribution hitches. Even the factory bumper on my 05 F-350 is rated for 500/5000.

I've towed a 3/4 ton Chevy on a car trailer behind my 95 F-150 with no problem, so I don't see a SD having any issues with it.

I think the OP is right though. I've used U-Haul car trailers and I don't think they are long enough for an extended cab long box truck. I'm sure they would handle the weight just fine though.

I do have a better idea though. Leave the Chevy where it is and give him a ride to the nearest Ford dealer.

 

Its long enough for the boat anchor (Chevy's sink like rocks). i towed an olds delta 88 wagon 50 miles on a U-haul trailer and it was a land yacht.

 

He was a Ford guy, but the dummy went and bought a Dodge Ram Long Horn edition. I almost disowned him, the dummy. It has been nice ribbin' him about having to go get his POS Chebby and bring it home with my Ford.

 

There is legal issue, technical issue and comfort issue.
Even if Uhaul dolly will hold the Chevy weight, don;t think they come with brakes? So will you be comfortable towing more than your truck weight with no toad brakes?
I have seen trailers WITH BRAKES that can handle full size truck, what would solve all the issues.