Flat Towing A 4x4 Dodge Ram

Hulk1999 · June 11, 2009

Truckers I got orders to Osan AB South Korea and I have to take both my trucks to my parents in Florida this summer. I live in Abilene Texas right now. I don't have a trailer/car hauler right now and i'm sure my Ram (4985lbs) exceeds the weight cap for U-Haul's tow dolly. I was thinking i could install a heavy duty tow bar on the Ram and tow it to Florida. I was thinking about dropping both driveshafts on the dodge and unlocking the steering wheel. The ram has no brakes and the registration is expired so i can't have someone else drive it. Someone told me not to tell U-Haul about the weight of the truck, but i said if something happens that's my butt for lying. Does anyone see a problem with this (flat towing)? How fast should i drive doing this? The trip is 1016 miles. When i get back i have to take both trucks to South Carolina (follow on assignment) so i'll probably do the same thing. The tow rig is my 01 3/4 with a 8.1/ally.

Thanks

Hulk

Draenor · June 11, 2009

The manual may have directions for the flat towing.

Nick The Great · June 11, 2009

I really don't see the Chevy having a problem with it.

We flat towed my cousin's 78 Chevy K2500 with my uncle's F250. The F250 had the 7.3L diesel in it. We used a tow bar and we only going 15 miles or so. It was all back roads, and gravel, so we didn't go real fast.

But 1000 miles? Holy shit. I would fix the brakes on the Dodge and drive it! Or buy a car hauler. One trip would justify it. And you will be doing it twice (that you know of ) A guy could always use a car hauler later in life.

shocktrp · June 11, 2009

Doesn't the military have to ship it to your new duty station or store it until you get back?

VR021302 · June 11, 2009

have you called any transport services?

brims · June 11, 2009

Being that it's a 4x4, can't you put the transfer case in neutral?

Hulk1999 · June 12, 2009

Doesn't the military have to ship it to your new duty station or store it until you get back?

They will only store or transport one cause i'm single. It has to a registered vehicle though. That's one of the reason's i have to get it to Florida.

I got a hold of U-Haul today and they updated their fleet. They now have a car hauler that will tow my Dodge. Still need to get a car hauler though, probably when i get back from Korea.

Thanks for all the replies. I can always count on this forum.

Hulk

txab · June 12, 2009

Truckers I got orders to Osan AB South Korea and I have to take both my trucks to my parents in Florida this summer. I live in Abilene Texas right now. I don't have a trailer/car hauler right now and i'm sure my Ram (4985lbs) exceeds the weight cap for U-Haul's tow dolly. I was thinking i could install a heavy duty tow bar on the Ram and tow it to Florida. I was thinking about dropping both driveshafts on the dodge and unlocking the steering wheel. The ram has no brakes and the registration is expired so i can't have someone else drive it. Someone told me not to tell U-Haul about the weight of the truck, but i said if something happens that's my butt for lying. Does anyone see a problem with this (flat towing)? How fast should i drive doing this? The trip is 1016 miles. When i get back i have to take both trucks to South Carolina (follow on assignment) so i'll probably do the same thing. The tow rig is my 01 3/4 with a 8.1/ally.

Thanks

Hulk

Howdy to a fellow Abilenian.