Towing with a car dolly

Has anyone towed their Maverick on a car dolly? If so, with an automatic trans, how hard is it to disconnect the drive shaft? I'm considering looking at a Maverick to purchase and wondering how difficult it would be to use a dolly rather than a full blown trailer.

Thanks for any tips and suggestions!

Art

 

The dolly will work but to save some work removing the driveshaft and ease of loading, I would go with the trailer. I did tow a 78 Pontiac GP, from Nebr. to Arkansas, on a dolly, 600mi, with no trouble at all. Must remove the four nuts and ujoint clamps from the rear end yoike. Put a catch can under the rear tailshaft to catch some fluid that will run out when pulling the driveshaft out. Then rubber band or duct tape, a good quality plastic food storage bag around the tailshaft to keep dirt and such out while towing. Reinstall at destination, be sure the tail lights are wired up on the tow dolly too. Not a bad idea to put a sign on the back of the Maverick reading "CAR IN TOW" just a little safety thing.

 

Exactly, mine was 4 1/2" nuts, so use a good 1/2" box wrech, beacuse somtimes depending upon the position of the driveshaft a rachet won't fit. I did if without jacking the car up, but I have long arms.

 

I got tired of fluid draining from the tailshaft when I pulled the drive shaft so I bought a plug to put in when the driveshaft is out. I'd hate to lose it going down the road though.

 

What about backing it onto the dolly? Saves time underneath. Thats what I did. But I only had about 30 miles to go.

 

Matt, where did you get this "plug"? Is is something that a local auto parts store would carry, or is it something you made on your own?

As far as putting the car on backwards, this would not be a short trip, so I don't think I would go that route (but thanks for the thought).

 

I got it at a big tool place called Clark Tool here in KC, don't know where else you can get them. I would not be surprised if a good auto parts had them. This one has a large end and a small end for diff size output shafts.

 

Matt,

Do you remember how much it cost? I like the sounds of having a something to plug the hole, but this would be a one-time haul, and I wouldn't want to wrap too much $ into it.

Art

 

I am pretty sure it was under ten bucks.

 

You could use an old yolk from another drive shaft?

 

Called the local auto parts, they had not heard of any plug that was available to them. I'll try a couple of larger auto parts stores and see if they carry it....

 

Summit part # MOR-41060, thats the only one I could find that was listed under "transmission tailshaft plug" , National Parts Depot has them also, which may be easier for you .

 

Thanks, I'll check if anyone local carries that. I'll need it this weekend, so I don't have time to wait for it to be shipped....

 

What about dragging a spooled rear end?

I may have to tow my car from Houston to Alaska, and those trailers are heavier than the car. I would rather do a tow dolly for gas mileage and accelleration...

 

Ask them for a transmission tailshaft plug. You can usually find it over with the "HELP" brand products and/or with the tools. Should be around $5 or so.

Scott....get a trailer. And forget Alaska.