Best Place to Tow a Z

[CW240Z]

I've done a little research, but have not come across an answer. Where is the best place to tow my 240z from the front? I have seen it done from the bumper brackets, but that is some pretty thin metal that the brackets bolt to. I did notice that I have two tow hooks below the valance. According to this forum they are not supposed to be there and were intended to be removed by the dealer. I'm using a tow bar and any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Chase

[Gary in NJ]

The best place to tow a 240Z is to my house

I might suggest using a U-Haul tow dolly. I've used them before and they are very kind to the vehicle.

[d240zx2]

I agree w/Gary. Except you're a lot closer to me than him. Seriously, a dolly would be your best bet.

[CW240Z]

Hmmmm I have used U-Haul before and it was great and painless, my problem is that i will be towing quite a few trips so the price per day would be more than I want to pay. Are those holes that the tow hooks mount into the frame rails strong enough to be used for towing? I have a CNC Plasma cam and other tools at my disposal and I am trying to build custom brackets that I can bolt to the car to tow with.

[EScanlon]

Those were transport lockdown hooks. Used to chain the car down in the sea transport from Japan.

While they may be strong enough to hold the car, I don't know that I'd recommend them being used to TOW the vehicle.

As far as the rental dolly, why would you have to rent it for more than one day if you only need to move the car once (presumably)? See about renting the dolly one way, use it, drop it off, end of contract.

FWIW

E

[beermanpete]

We tow our 73 240Z by the bumper brackets without any problem. They are pretty beefy looking. Perhaps the 72 is not as strong?

We removed the bumper and drilled new bolt holes in the brackets to attach the clevises for the tow bar. If you want to tow the car without any mods then the dolly is probably better and easier.

[CW240Z]

While they may be strong enough to hold the car, I don't know that I'd recommend them being used to TOW the vehicle.

As far as the rental dolly, why would you have to rent it for more than one day if you only need to move the car once (presumably)? See about renting the dolly one way, use it, drop it off, end of contract.

FWIW

E

I'm taking the car with me out of town for a few days so $65+ a day can get expensive. Plus, I need to transport it and another Z from a shop a and back few times so you can see where having my own would be more affordable. Let me clarify my intents, I was planing on building brackets that use the same bolt holes as the original tow hooks were mounted with, not using the hooks them self Just want to make sure everyone is on the same page. Beermanpete, I have seen it done the way you explained, I might end up going that route.

Chase

[Brubaker]

I had a VW and used a tow bar to move it. The bar came with brackets that bolted to the chassis and you connected the tow bar to the brackets. Then I could tow it with any vehicle that had a hitch. I would imagine you could do the same as long as you could bolt it to the chassis. The only other concern would be if you have to disconnect the drive train for all wheels on the ground towing. You also have to get a set of lights or somehow get your z lights to work to indicate stopping and turning. I ended up buying some lights at the local u-haul store that plugged into the tow hitch electrical connection and had a super long cable. They were cheap, around $15.

This is what the tow bar and bracket looks like:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Empi-Tow-Bar-/390361409512?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AVolkswagen&vxp=mtr&hash=item5ae35a67e8

[black gold man]

http://images.harborfreight.com/hftweb/more-coupons/201039/4.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-magnetic-towing-light-kit-67455.html

[lmcguffin]

There are some independent trailer dealers that rent trailers for less cost than U-Haul as long as you're not going out of state. I checked with these guys a few years ago and I could get a lightweight car hauler that would handle a Z for around $60 a weekend. I would think Dallas would have something similar. I too have investigated towing options and the prospect of dropping the driveshaft to go any distance really limits the options for a permanent set up. I plan to rent one of these lightweight car haulers when I bring the car to the paint shop.

http://www.trailerworldhouston.com/index.php

[26th-Z]

I'm shocked with the answers I'm seeing! You guys go right ahead and pull your cars from the bumpers. Just makes my (straight) car more valuable. Jack them up on the floor pans too!

Ahhh...owner's manual has the answer - page 29.

[Diseazd]

I towed a 510 with a tow bar hooked to the front bumper brackets......it towed perfect. Remove the front bumper and bolt the tow bar to the brackets. It'll tow like a dream. BAP Geon (local parts store) sells tow bars that are adjustable.

Edited November 23, 2011 by Diseazd