I've got two Fieros, neither of which are driveable, that I need to move in the next few days within the city. Each one only has to be towed a few miles under easy conditions.

Rather than begging/borrowing/stealing a trailer/tow dolly, could I not just use a tow bar instead? From the very few times I've read of a tow bar being used on a Fiero in this forum, I understand that the nose has to come off. That's not a problem. And both Fieros have manual trannys.

Next question is - Where does the tow bar connect to?

I've taken some pictures of my Fiero parts car and using a large white "O", I've indicated where I think the bar could be connected. However, I've never used a tow bar before, so I'd appreciate some feedback on this.


The two locations are 30.75" apart.




Same places, just a different angle.




That's the hole looking in from the top.




And that's the hole looking up from below.




So what do you think? Would it be okay to connect a tow bar to those two locations? If not, where should it go?

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 10-11-2009).]

Those locations should be good. I've got a towbar that fits across the studs that hold the bumper beam on the car. It's worked well the couple of times I've had to use it!

------------------
Rod Schneider, Woodstock, Ga.
"You can't have too many toys!"
1988 Fiero GT
1985 Porsche 944
1966 Porsche 911
Van's RV-6 airplane-under construction

Thanks Rod. So is it just a matter then of putting a big bolt through the hole on each side into the tow bar? Is a "safety chain" also a good idea?

If you can't already tell, I'm an absolute noob at this.

I was wondering if you ever ended up using the tow bar setup. I'm in a similar situation currently and having problems with Uhaul due to availability and they dont want a fiero on their tow dollys. I was just wondering if the bumper needs to be off to be able to use a tow bar or if those points were accessible while the bumper is still on. Any info would be a big help. Thanks.

quote Originally posted by sublime922: I was wondering if you ever ended up using the tow bar setup.

No, I was fortunate enough to have a friend with a trailer bail me out.

quote Originally posted by sublime922: I was just wondering if the bumper needs to be off to be able to use a tow bar or if those points were accessible while the bumper is still on.

Oh, you definitely need to take the nose off. As a matter of fact, I was glad I had taken the nose off even when it turned out we used a trailer. The reason being that we still needed a place to attach a chain in order to pull both Fieros (one per trip) onto the trailer... and we also needed the ground clearance when going up and down the ramps.




Luckily I had taken the back bumper off as well. It was a tight fit!

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 11-17-2009).]

quote Originally posted by sublime922: ........... I'm in a similar situation currently and having problems with Uhaul due to availability and they dont want a fiero on their tow dollys. ...........

When they ask whats going to be towed on the dolly just tell them some other car... My favorite to use is a Ford Escort.

I really don't understand why U-Haul has a problem with putting Fiero's on their dolly's. I've towed many Fiero's on dolly's & never had any complications with doing so.

------------------
86 GT
87 coupe restoration project.

quote Originally posted by nmw75: When they ask whats going to be towed on the dolly just tell them some other car... My favorite to use is a Ford Escort. I really don't understand why U-Haul has a problem with putting Fiero's on their dolly's. I've towed many Fiero's on dolly's & never had any complications with doing so.

thats what I was probably going to do. just wasnt sure how serious they were about coming to inspect the vehicles beforehand, or if they just say that.

its not just fieros, they seem to be against any mid/rear engined vehicles. seems silly since any of the hypothetical problems they list can be easily taken care of.

Patrick,
I have towed cars, 4 wheels down, behind my RV for many years.
I have always used a BlueOx baseplate on the towed vehicle


They are mounted with a minimum of three 3/8" Grade 8 Bolts( coated with Blue Loctite) per side torqued to 85lbs/ft. Even then Blue Ox recommends the use of a choker sling arround the base plate and a seperate frame member.

A single bolt attaching your tow bar ( where you indicate in the picture) might do the job but in the event of a failure you would have no backup

quote Originally posted by Tinkrr: I have always used a BlueOx baseplate on the towed vehicle

Tinkrr, thanks for the info.

Yes, the system you use is certainly the best way to use a tow bar on any vehicle. If I was going to be using a tow bar on the same vehicle repeatedly, I'd want to get the system you have. However, for any vehicle being towed in this manner once (unless it was across the country), it just wouldn't be practical/economically feasible.

I'm glad my friend with the trailer came to my rescue!

I assume since the engines in the rear, they don't think their will be enough weight on the tongue.

quote Originally posted by LitebulbwithaFiero: I assume since the engines in the rear, they don't think their will be enough weight on the tongue.

Perhaps you should indicate you're referring to a tow dolly as this thread was originally about the use of tow bars. There's no point confusing the issue.

Pat--Can't you just attach your toad's legs to them and 'jump' them over to their new home?

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Pat--Can't you just attach your toad's legs to them and 'jump' them over to their new home?

I tried it once but it was an awfully rough trip.