BobDrye Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I'm going to drive 4000 miles taking my 7 to different events in May. I don't want to use my Expedation towing @ 11 mpg. Does anyone else use this method? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1024613801_Flat-Tow.jpg :7head: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locost7018 Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I think Julian D does it this was . Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 Bob, where on the frame are you hooking it up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjslutz Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I did a very light 2 wheel trailer for mine. It keeps it up away from the stones and road junk as well as saves the tires. I think my trailer weighs 700 pounds. I had flat towed a car behind a motorhome for about the same miles and the front took a beating. I have never seen it, but a front deflector could do the job. Best of luck with yours. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I bet your car is going to take a beating flat towed. I agree with others a small 2 wheel trailer will save you a lot of wear and tear on the 7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobDrye Posted May 1, 2008 Author Share Posted May 1, 2008 Bob, where on the frame are you hooking it up? At the front bulkhead where the bracing for the rack is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locost 5.0 Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 Bob, Could you post a picture of where it mounts on the car, I've been trying to figure out how to mount one. Thanks, Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave W Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 Rob I made provisions for flat towing by welding in a 7/16" nut on the inside of the front lower tube, on both sides. My lower nose cone attaches on the these same lower nuts, and I then just use an aluminum spacer to take up the space of the thickness of the tow bar attachment. The bar has to be designed to be low and wide enough not to hit the nose while on an incline, and still clear the tires in a turn. It means the tow vehicle can not be a 4X4 with a high hitch. I have a low S-10 with a hitch. Sorry can not post a picture, I'm on the road. Dave W :7drive: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southwind25 Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 A note if your flat towing...you might consider detaching the driveshaft, i was always told by others that the tranny having a reverse load on it for an extended period isnt so healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbanker Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 I'm going to drive 4000 miles taking my 7 to different events in May. I don't want to use my Expedation towing @ 11 mpg. Does anyone else use this method? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1024613801_Flat-Tow.jpg :7head: Hey Bob, Here is how one of our Stalker owners is doing it. He did not like towing through the north Georgia mountains...but it worked. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arya Ebrahimi Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 Bob, have you flat towed before for any length of time/distance? I think you should try it before committing to 4000 miles of it. I've done it twice, both times in a pinch, and I truly hate it. Granted the 7 won't push the expedition around, but the inability to back up or make sharp turns really makes traveling a PITA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locost 5.0 Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 I flat tow my Myers Manx on long road trips and its not bad at all. With my truck you hardly know its there. I have several thousand mile towing it with no problems. Even if you do need to back up, it just takes a minute to undo the tow bar. I made a removable mud flap/rock guard that bolts to my truck bumper with two bolts to prevent any rock chips. I don't think I have any chips or scratches from towing with this setup. http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p3/beergodrod/IMG_1802.jpg Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 Something else to consider, will your transmission survive a flat tow? Some will, some will not as the gears don't turn and the bearings on the output shaft won't get oiled. Removing the drive shaft will solve that problem but if it is anything like my Caterham, you have to drop the diff to get it out of the car. A tow dolly would work better than flat towing and for some transmissions the elevation of the front of the car is sufficient to get trans lube to the bearings relieving you of the necessity of removing the drive shaft. Skip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 Locost 5.0 do you still have the Manx? I have always wanted one. I had a 25 yo shell and a 65 pan behind the shop for 3 years and realized my 7s projects were more important. But when I see a Manx that is lowered and all decked out it makes me lust for one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locost 5.0 Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 Yeah I still have it, drove it today:) . Its a fun little car. My Dad bought the body in 1967 and never put it together. So, I saw it hanging from the rafters of my Dad's garage, until 3 years ago. He finally (I begged for 20 yrs) gave it to me and I built it. It has the original gell coat in great condition. Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnttim Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 I have been kicking around the idea of doing the same thing on my build. I think I am going to order a torsion axle that will bolt to the bottom two rails somewhere near the balance point(10% weight on the tow ball) and bolt a torsion axle right to the frame. Then on the back of the 7 put a trailer reciever both for towing a trailer with the seven and for using as a point to hook to the tow vehicle. Simply by changing the attachment. This will get the seven off of the ground and will allow me to stay with in a the weight limit of my tow car. Only 1500 lbs. I may have to take the wheels off the seven to tow it and I will need some temporary tow lights on it in the front but it 'should' work. The real issue I have is in Michigan you have to register your trailer, but since it is a car will it need a plate? But If I am only using it for Autocrosses, (as I plan to for the first year till I am happy the wheels wont fall off on the a highway somewhere), then I dont plan on plating it at all. I have no idea on how you would register it. I thought I could just register the attaching axle as a trailer and see what the inspector says. :7frog: Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S1Steve Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Bob, Are you going to use the lights on your 7 for the brakes turn signals and running lights. I would be wary of someone running into the back of it, even with the lights working on the 7.4000 miles of flat towing is going to be hard on it. Hope it goes OK for you, see you on May 17. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinnyG Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 Just drive it http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/DSC01654e.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 Just drive it http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/DSC01654e.jpg Hay Greg, I though that was the new rear bumper standard for Canada..... :jester: :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinnyG Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 Well, all of us have a set of slicks up here for all our cars - don't you guys? Some kind of Provincial benefits. Seriously, it's the only way to stay safe in front of an SUV. G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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