Towing a VB

[theperthvan]

I found a broken VB that I can get for $150. The only problem is I need to tow it for 3 hours. Is this feasible if the tower is a VS or is it a bit dodgy on country roads?

[Haydz]

depends. v6 or v8.

maintained properly?

Good gearbox?

good trailer?

taking it easy. it will be fine as long as the tow bar on the vs can handle the weight.

and definitely don't do anything silly while towing. the rear end of a vs is not very strong and will bend before a decent trailer.

[Lizzard]

Yeah, I agree with Haydz, just take it easy. If your running an auto watch the transmission oil temp, the standard in-radiator oil coolers are next to useless for towing. Top it up before you start and don't push it and you should be fine

[theperthvan]

It's a V6 manual in good mechanical condition.

I found a few things out about the VB. Firstly it's auto gearbox may be .
Are these things cheapo to replace or not?

Also have the chance for a $250 VP. This one runs but it doesn't have a fuel tank which is odd. Are these cheapo or can you just hook up a container and that'll do the job.

I'm not getting these for any other reason than to play with them. I know buggerall about cars and thought it's about time I learned.

[theperthvan]

Something else, when I mean tow I mean hook up a tow rope and away we go. From what you have said it seems like this is probably not a smart idea. Do I need a trailer?

[Tom_1569]

Tow rope is not a smart idea. For a short distance its acceptable, but not 300ks. I would hire a trailer, then make sure you use the proper equipment to tie it down. Dont use rope. use the proper chains with the chain ratchet things, and do it TIGHT.

[Tom_1569]

Just adding on from what I wrote before, i didnt get to finish I had to leave.

Use a trailer, also lower the tyre pressure of the VB to around 25ish PSI. The reason is especially on wet days the car can slide abit on the trailer. Mine was chained down TIGHT, we had a 4 foot bar on the wrench to make it tight. The ass of the car slide into the wall of the trailer, and made it very difficult to get off because you have less then a foot to try and straighten the car before hitting the ramps.

A fuel tank for a VN you will pay 100+ depending on size condition pum straps etc. You couldnt run it off a bottle or jerry can because they have an electrical fuel pump in the tank. With the old cars you could use a coke bottle because of the mechanical fuel pump at the engine, also they had no fuel return line.

[Benboy]

Might pay to check with your local authorities (Police, RTA etc) and check the maximum towing capacity of the tow car. I would bet that by towing another Commodore on a trailer that you would be way in excess of the maximum allowable. If anything goes wrong, and it is very likely to, your insurance will wipe you and the Police will pinch you. Hopefully no one will be killed or injured if anything goes wrong and that's if you are silly enough to go ahead with your plan.

[GoldCoastCommodoreSpares]

Even taking it easy, lots of pressure is going to be put on both cars. an automatic car should NEVER be towed on its drive wheel over 60km/h other wise will blow the transmission up, something to watch out for!!

In other words get it towed off its feet unless you can get it running & grab a permit.

[theperthvan]

Yeah. I decided to leave it. It's all a bit dodgy. The VP is running though so I'll get a permit (and a fuel tank) for that.
cheers

[BUT50]

Mate I would use a trailer if the vb aint a runner your not going to have any brakes and if it has no rego even riskier you couldget a 1200 dollar fine thats money you could have spent on your ride