Hi everyone. I am close to buying my first Fiero. I don't have much experience with them but I am considering one that has been parked for a while. I would prefer to get it home and give it the once over before I try and start it. Since it won't run, I would appreciate some advice on the best way to load it onto the trailer.
Pull it on forward or backward? What can I wrap a tow strap around? What else do I need to know?
On most cars I'd pull it on forward, but I was thinking that the rear sub-frame might offer a better option for putting a strap around. I'd like to get this thing home without messing up the fascias or the suspension.
Mine was started and pulled onto the trailer, so not sure if it is an apples-to-apples comparison.
But, it was pulled straight in forward. Then, tie-down straps are wrapped around a couple of the tires and torqued down to keep it from moving. A safety chain is wrapped around the suspension loosely -- that part doesn't matter so much because, if it is engaged, you got bigger problems than worrying about the Fiero's underside.
You must have enough weight on front so trailer tongue is push down but only a little. Too much is bad too and towing vehicle will have problems w/ overload. So Depending on trailer size may not matter or matters a lot which way the car is. big trailer can push car forward/back to get right balance but small trailer likely need Fiero backward.
Note that Trailer + Fiero is too heavy to tow with all cars and many trucks/suv. If stopped by cops can be ticketed for overweight or even stay stopped for a long time and wait for heavier vehicle to tow. Driving thru/into another state make you a target.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Well, I don't have far to go--less than 20 miles. Close enough that before I do anything I am going to check and see how much it would be to hire a wrecker.
I'm also thinking about a dolly. I don't know the condition of the transmission and I don't want to pull with the rear wheels turning until I confirm that it has oil.
For that just call a wrecker for a rollback and be done.
Dolly's mostly have same issues as trailers. For a start, Combine weight is to heavy for most vehicle trying to pull the load. You might be able to tow w/ whatever but stopping or turning can/will cause big problems.
[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 04-06-2017).]
For that just call a wrecker for a rollback and be done.
Dolly's mostly have same issues as trailers. For a start, Combine weight is to heavy for most vehicle trying to pull the load. You might be able to tow w/ whatever but stopping or turning can/will cause big problems.
quote
Originally posted by theogre:
Note that Trailer + Fiero is too heavy to tow with all cars and many trucks/suv. If stopped by cops can be ticketed for overweight or even stay stopped for a long time and wait for heavier vehicle to tow.
Too heavy? Fiero weighs 2800 pounds from the factory. my 14ft trailer is 950 pounds,slightly larger trailer plus power breaks is 1500 pounds, for about 4300 pounds.
If your suv or truck cant tow that safely, you don't have a real truck or suv. Plus, in most states, you can tow anywhere from 15,000-25,000 pounds without needing a commercial license.
No one should be worried about being overweight towing a fiero
Originally posted by DKcustoms: Too heavy? Fiero weighs 2800 pounds from the factory. my 14ft trailer is 950 pounds,slightly larger trailer plus power breaks is 1500 pounds, for about 4300 pounds.
If your suv or truck cant tow that safely, you don't have a real truck or suv. Plus, in most states, you can tow anywhere from 15,000-25,000 pounds without needing a commercial license.
No one should be worried about being overweight towing a fiero
"you can tow anywhere from 15,000-25,000 pounds without needing a commercial license." Does not matter to the topic. "No one should be worried about being overweight towing a fiero" Wrong in many cases. Private vehicles Can't be stopped for being overweight? Wrong.
Cops in many states can, often will, stop a private vehicle for being overweight. I know many people that have been stopped just for this alone. Cop sees a car etc towing another car is an easy target. Even many "full size" trunks/suvs are not rated to carry or tow 4000-5000lb because of suspension and brakes. Cops and if you crash DA and Lawyer suing you will go by GVWR from vehicle manufacturer and any "upgrades" do not matter. Read the load label in the vehicle and the owner's manual for a start.
This is part of why U-haul and others want to know what is towing a trailer. For dolly the vehicle being towed too. They have GVWR and other data for most vehicles and won't rent a dolly or a bigger trailer for towing by under rated vehicle. If you lie to get a trailer etc and tow w/ another vehicle and crash them you can have more problems.
"my 14ft trailer is 950 pounds,slightly larger trailer plus power breaks is 1500 pounds," Single axle trailer won't pass loaded w/ a car in many places. Many "utility" trailers even w/ 2 axles won't handle loaded w/ a car. If the wheels and axles can take the load, The frame and/or floor can fold under the weight, hitting road bumps, etc, because have 4 very small points of contact w/ the car. Car haul trailers have tandem axles and trailer brakes and most small ones start at ~2000lb empty because is design to handle the loads for hauling a car.
Most states Require all Tandem axle trailers to have trailer brakes... Most rental units have "stand alone hydraulic" setups that doesn't need connect to the car besides lights connection. "power breaks?" Does that mean Electric trailer brakes? They often need Brake Controls in the tow vehicle. Electric trailer brakes have their own set of issues/problems.
Hi everyone. I am close to buying my first Fiero. I don't have much experience with them but I am considering one that has been parked for a while. I would prefer to get it home and give it the once over before I try and start it. Since it won't run, I would appreciate some advice on the best way to load it onto the trailer.
Pull it on forward or backward? What can I wrap a tow strap around? What else do I need to know?
On most cars I'd pull it on forward, but I was thinking that the rear sub-frame might offer a better option for putting a strap around. I'd like to get this thing home without messing up the fascias or the suspension.
Thanks!
I would only use straps round wheels. Fairly easy to pull bits of 'solid' Chassis and subframes off.
I would do a search for Transporter hire, (my Preference, Much easier, they generally come with winches and straps, thogh I use my own straps) or, as others suggest, get a Quote from a wrecker to tow it for you.
Thanks Iain. One question, though--if I wrap straps around the wheels, how do I get it onto the trailer? The wheels won't roll if there are straps through them.
Originally posted by Quad4: Thanks Iain. One question, though--if I wrap straps around the wheels, how do I get it onto the trailer? The wheels won't roll if there are straps through them.
I read as after you put car on the trailer or truck.
Strap hold the car's wheels but by law in most states require to have safety chains to the frame in case straps fail.
To start Most people have no clue how to use chains as main tie down then add old cars often have rust issues and chain done right can still fail to hold. There are "rules" how to use chains and more confusing the hooks used affect exactly what rules apply. Example: Chains w/ T hooks for use w/ oval slots in the vehicle's frame are picky how they are used and loaded. If done wrong they might hold now and fail down the road w/o warning.
Thanks Iain. One question, though--if I wrap straps around the wheels, how do I get it onto the trailer? The wheels won't roll if there are straps through them.
As The Ogre states, the wheel straps are to hold the car on the trailer/transporter. It's fairly difficult to tear a wheel off, I've seen people tear various other bits off over the years. This is how I moved mine a few years ago. This transporter hire company has big winches fitted, so getting a car on, even with seized brakes is simple.
I would normally use three or four straps. I used two either side here because there was no engine/transmission fitted so I had easy access and some of the lateral links were missing. The ones round the subframe had strap protectors fitted to prevent damage.
We have no requirement here for chains, probably the Ogre is the best person to consult on that.
[This message has been edited by Iain (edited 04-07-2017).]
[b] Too heavy? Fiero weighs 2800 pounds from the factory. my 14ft trailer is 950 pounds,slightly larger trailer plus power breaks is 1500 pounds, for about 4300 pounds.
If your suv or truck cant tow that safely, you don't have a real truck or suv. Plus, in most states, you can tow anywhere from 15,000-25,000 pounds without needing a commercial license.
No one should be worried about being overweight towing a fiero
THEOGRE SPEAKS THE TRUTH!
GVWR rules rule!!! they and the enforcement of them change from state to state and enforcement can change in areas within the state. The GVWR is for the trailer AND the towing vehicle combined.
For the poster he can call the local state trooper office and inform them of what he has and what he wants to do. sometimes that can give you a verbal ok and get the troopers name. If you are only going 20 miles they may wave you on. but get the troopers NAME and do it when he is on duty. I had a similar but different situation when I was hauling a car from Calif to Texas. Always better to get them on your side first. ------------------ 1988 GT, 6Cyl Automatic, running - bought in Illinois and drove to Austin 1986 SE, 4 cyl, 5 speed running - Bought in California and drove to Austin 1988 GT, T-Top - non running - "Trailered" back from California going to be restored (in storage) 1986 GT, destroked engine / custom exhaust - Trailered back from Las Cruces, NM -FOR SALE 1986 SE, bought locally, Automatic won't shift into gear - FOR SALE 1987 GT Tangerine/Silver SOLD 1986 roller with automatic transmission Motor mount for 350 engine - FOR SALE
[This message has been edited by hcforde (edited 04-08-2017).]
For that just call a wrecker for a rollback and be done.
Dolly's mostly have same issues as trailers. For a start, Combine weight is to heavy for most vehicle trying to pull the load. You might be able to tow w/ whatever but stopping or turning can/will cause big problems.
Depends on where you live. In Texas "most vehicles" are a half-ton pickup or better. A half ton has no issue with towing a tandem car hauler and Fiero. I can barely tell mine is back there. With a 16 foot trailer or better you can drive on forward. Just as long as the trailing edge of the door is forward of the center of the tandem axles you will be fine.
If you have a commercially built trailer, it has a tag that tells the maximum weight it is rated for. This weight includes the weight of the trailer and it's contents. Your tow vehicle also has this information listed in it's owners manual. When using strape to secure the Fiero on the trailer, the straps must be rated for the total weight of the Fiero. That means that each strap must be rated for at least 2800 pounds. When I brought my Fiero from Albuquerque to Phoenix, I used a 14 foot tandem axle trailer rated at 5000 pounds. I towed it with a Ford F150 Super Crew 4x4 pickup. Had no problems got 4 straps from Harbor Freight.
Just curious if anyone here has personally been pulled over towing anything? I have never been pulled over nor do i no anyone that has. I pulled my Camaro from Florida to New Mexico with my Expedition and never gave it much though about towing capacities according to the state laws. Only thing I keep track of is the vehicle doing the towing and its max tow limits.
A commercially built tandem axle trailer is going to haul a Fiero with no problem. Virtually all of them have 3,500 pound axles which mean they can haul 7,000 pounds including the trailer. The empty trailer weighs at most 2,000 pounds. The trailer can nearly haul two Fieros by weight. A half ton pickup with a V8 is going to easily haul 7,000 pounds. A harbor freight tow strap can easily secure 10,000 pounds at each corner. Towing a Fiero is very easy with the correct equipment.
I've hauled all over the USA without issue. Once I got pulled over in Florida. The police got mad because I was passing a truck and I didn't do it fast enough for his taste. That was when I had my V6 SUV. With a V8 I can move much quicker.
I typically use a Ford Expedition to tow my cars on a trailer when needed. Based on a typical Fiero weight of 2800 pounds and an average trailer weight of 2000 pounds, the Expedition can haul this combination with no effort. The factory specs for an Expedition without a tow package say 8900 pounds and with a tow package I believe that it is 11000 pounds.
This thread sort of turned into a discussion of towing and capacities.
I was originally more interested in how to get a Fiero that won't run onto a trailer. What can I put a strap around so that I can winch this thing on without worrying about damaging the suspension or fascia?
you should be able to hook onto the rear cradle somewhere in order to load it. just make sure your chain isn't wrapped around anything delicate like a brake line, or sway bar if it has a rear one. those straps that go over the wheels are pretty foolproof for holding it down on the trailer. something like this http://www.truckntow.com/au...-classic-4-pack.html
I have a winch built onto my trailer to pull non-running vehicles up onto it. What you can use is a come-along and a set of straps. It's going to take a while but you can do it. I have a trailer very similar to jscott's and I pull forward. What I do is hook onto the front lower control arm and loop through the opening there. You are then pulling on the frame/solid suspension to get it up onto the trailer. Once up there that's where I hook my straps to.......I have axle straps through the lower control arms in the front and then cross my straps on the rear and hook onto the cradle in the oval holes. Works very well and never had a problem.
Make sure that when you pull the car up you are hooked up to your tow vehicle so you can balance the load properly. Make sure you have someone helping.
This thread sort of turned into a discussion of towing and capacities.
I was originally more interested in how to get a Fiero that won't run onto a trailer. What can I put a strap around so that I can winch this thing on without worrying about damaging the suspension or fascia?
I strap down each wheel AND have 2 straps securing the front of the vehicle.. I believe legally you need 4 straps minimum.
A dolly will work because it cuts down tremendously on the total weight being pulled and weight on hitch. Tow any automatic with drive wheels on it, and any stick is fine either way. I prefer to tow if its a stick with the front on the dolly. Be sure the tires are good that are on the ground. I use my own dolly for most towing and have a winch at the front to pull non running cars on. It only needs straps on the wheels on it plus a safety chain on the suspension. If you rent a dolly, tell them its a Sunbird or anything other than a Fiero. Some renters for whatever reasons, wont rent to tow mid engine cars. Ive used my dolly for years towing even a thousand miles with no problem. Some states will require brakes on tow dollys, mine does not have them and I usually avoid states that require them. I towed my GT40 kit from Missouri to Ohio with a 3800 minivan. Ill say anything smaller than a v6 should not tow anything.
