1800: - Towing question

ga681800 · Jan 15th, 2008, 02:45

Sorry for being such a newbie and starting off with a question so quick but...
the wife and I will go this weekend to pick up our '68 P1800 we just bought. I need some help on towing it home. Looks like I am stuck with a dolly that will just support two wheels while leaving the other two rolling along. The car is a manual transmission so am I save to just put the front wheels on the dolly and put the trans in neutral? I have approximately 300-350 miles to go to get it home. What do I need to do with the steering to make sure it tows along straight behind me?

Thanks for any help you folks can provide.

Richie

222s · Jan 15th, 2008, 06:45

Hi & welcome!

I'm not sure if this also applies to a Volvo of this age, but many British cars of this era don't like being towed for such long distances as the gearbox lubrication is driven only off the input, so doesn't work when being towed.....

If this is the case on a P1800 & you have to tow it with the rear wheels on the road, then an easy way around this is to disconnect the propshaft from the back axle.

ga681800 · Jan 16th, 2008, 03:34

Thanks Paul.

Triple-S · Jan 16th, 2008, 09:35

Another Paul - sorry!
I have used a dolly for years for lots of Volvo's, ranging from PV, Amazon and 140 up to automatic 265, and have never had any problems. However, all reference books state that auto's must not be towed for more than short (under 20 miles or so) distances because the trans fluid overheats: only on these should the prop-shaft be disconnected. I have never heard of that applying to manual gearbox cars - my longest tows were about 250 miles.
What I've never seen written down is that you should make sure the car being towed is in neutral AND THE STEERING LOCK IS NOT ENGAGED! Thats because with the front wheels lashed securely to the dolly, on zig-zags in the roads the trailed-part of the load can only bend at the towed cars steering system, so if its locked something serious might happen!
Also don't do what I did once - leave the 'no-load' locking pin in the dolly when you load up. I nearly jack-knifed and snapped mine on a sharp bend in a busy town, and the load veered off to one side!
Have a safe trip!
Paul

Jan 15th, 2008, 02:45	#1
ga681800 New Member Last Online: Feb 5th, 2008 21:24 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Statesboro, Georgia	Towing question Sorry for being such a newbie and starting off with a question so quick but... the wife and I will go this weekend to pick up our '68 P1800 we just bought. I need some help on towing it home. Looks like I am stuck with a dolly that will just support two wheels while leaving the other two rolling along. The car is a manual transmission so am I save to just put the front wheels on the dolly and put the trans in neutral? I have approximately 300-350 miles to go to get it home. What do I need to do with the steering to make sure it tows along straight behind me? Thanks for any help you folks can provide. Richie

Jan 15th, 2008, 06:45	#2
222s Amazoniste Last Online: Sep 19th, 2016 21:52 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Emsworth View Photos By: 222s	Hi & welcome! I'm not sure if this also applies to a Volvo of this age, but many British cars of this era don't like being towed for such long distances as the gearbox lubrication is driven only off the input, so doesn't work when being towed..... If this is the case on a P1800 & you have to tow it with the rear wheels on the road, then an easy way around this is to disconnect the propshaft from the back axle. __________________ Paul - 1967 Amazon 222S B20 o/d Estate & 1961 A-H Sprite Mk2 948cc WANTED - For '67 Amazon estate - offside rear quarter, preferably new old stock.

Jan 16th, 2008, 03:34	#3
ga681800 New Member Last Online: Feb 5th, 2008 21:24 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Statesboro, Georgia	Thanks Paul.

Jan 16th, 2008, 09:35	#4
Triple-S How Old? Last Online: May 31st, 2021 12:28 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: redhill	Another Paul - sorry! I have used a dolly for years for lots of Volvo's, ranging from PV, Amazon and 140 up to automatic 265, and have never had any problems. However, all reference books state that auto's must not be towed for more than short (under 20 miles or so) distances because the trans fluid overheats: only on these should the prop-shaft be disconnected. I have never heard of that applying to manual gearbox cars - my longest tows were about 250 miles. What I've never seen written down is that you should make sure the car being towed is in neutral AND THE STEERING LOCK IS NOT ENGAGED! Thats because with the front wheels lashed securely to the dolly, on zig-zags in the roads the trailed-part of the load can only bend at the towed cars steering system, so if its locked something serious might happen! Also don't do what I did once - leave the 'no-load' locking pin in the dolly when you load up. I nearly jack-knifed and snapped mine on a sharp bend in a busy town, and the load veered off to one side! Have a safe trip! Paul

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