Help: Need to tow or flatbed E36 from NY to FL. What's better option? - United Bimmer Community

**delmarco** · 08-27-2005, 04:51 PM

*I don't like posting for help here lately cause some of you guys clown around way way way too much at UB-So I'll keep it brief:
Scenario I rented a U-haul for my drive from Brooklyn, NY to Tallahassee, FL (1180 miles)...I have two options for my car...

1. Flatbed dolly w/ four wheels: my car would sit on it. this is expensive..and car would sort of be unstable and bouncy and the dolly wheels and shocks are tiny, unstable and unreliable from what I hear.

2. Half a dolly: 50% cheaper than flatbed. Car would be towed with front wheels tied up and rear wheels dragging..this is more stable than full dolly...but for I'd be concerned for obvious reasons!

Now because BMWs are rear wheel drive I was also concerned about having the rear wheels dragging for that many miles;

What do you recommend tow it and have the stability?
or flatbed it and risk the dolly wheel blowing out?

Thanks guys...

**xsperf** · 08-27-2005, 05:10 PM

in a BMW, you woudlnt let the rear wheels roll, you would pick up the car from the rear wheels and have the front wheels rolling, i would go for the flatbed, if you tie it down right it should be more stable, thats why its more expensive, b/c its a better option

**zeaq328i** · 08-27-2005, 05:14 PM

I think a flatbed is a good idea?Sometimes my car is towed to the dealer, i would request a flatbed .Towing the car with 2 wheels would damage the car

:

**catalyst** · 08-27-2005, 05:35 PM

Is this before or after your fixing your shock mounts?

Either way flatbed is a better choice, but with your cars current condition flat bed is a must imo.

**delmarco** · 08-27-2005, 05:39 PM

After I fix the mounts...my car is still in the shop...
I will be starting my trip this friday...

**xsperf** · 08-27-2005, 07:35 PM

del, go with the flatbed, it wont be more bouncy if you tie it down correctly

**defkon99** · 08-27-2005, 07:49 PM

Flatbed ! I did it From Cali - TX all 1300 Miles!

yea make sure you check them tiedowns @ every pit Stop ( Gas. food. etc...) mine were comin off every other stop.

Storamin · 08-27-2005, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delmarco

*I don't like posting for help here lately cause some of you guys clown around way way way too much at UB-So I'll keep it brief:

If you're going to ask for help, don't say the people you're asking help from are assholes.

You're not meant to tow the car with any wheels touching the ground for more than 20 miles.

**94bmw325i** · 08-27-2005, 10:04 PM

yeah I agree with storamin about both things he said.

**delmarco** · 08-28-2005, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Storamin

If you're going to ask for help, don't say the people you're asking help from are assholes.

You're not meant to tow the car with any wheels touching the ground for more than 20 miles.

Hey I never said the word "assholes"!
please don't accuse me of stuff that you are thinking.

It was just a warning to show that I'm seriously asking a help question. And I said "some" people not all people screw around in the tech forums when people and guest post help questions.

**delmarco** · 08-28-2005, 01:19 AM

Thanks BTW I think I'll go with the flatbed...
My buddy told me he was flatbedding his 1994 Mercedes S class (big ass car) from GA to NY and the dolly wheels were weak as shit. The car bounced around the entire time and it sounded as if it was gonna break lose. anyway when he got to NJ the dolly's left rear wheel hit a rough bump in a WORK ZONE area and went flat. He almost lost control of the Uhaul and the Flatbed...good thing he wasn't speeding nor where they traffic right behind him. Anyway the rental company gave him hard time about sending assistance out there and told him to call the NJ state troopers and pay them to tow the whole thing.

What he and his travel buddy ending up doing, since they were so close to NY (2 hrs from home) and didnt wan't to get dicked over with a Tow truck company...They reversed and re-hitched the dolly to the U-haul so both fronts wheels were raised above the ground about 2-4 inches and the rear wheels were dragging with the car ontop. It took them a long ass time on the side of the highway in like 90 degrees sunny weather.

I can't see myself in that situation...but I rather flatbed and drive slow that drag my car with the front end down thru 6 or 7 states and over 1000 miles.

Plus when I get to Tallahassee I want my car high up so that the towns folk can bow down to the new Bimmer in town....and the new player in town!!!
lol*

**B3M2W5i** · 08-28-2005, 01:20 AM

be sure you can handle a flatbed because from what my uncle says it can be very tricky you know making turns or backing up

**delmarco** · 08-28-2005, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B3M2W5i

be sure you can handle a flatbed because from what my uncle says it can be very tricky you know making turns or backing up

Yeah my buddy told me about those turns...I expect a straight run down I95...no exploration...just stops at rest areas...

Storamin · 08-28-2005, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delmarco

Hey I never said the word "assholes"!
please don't accuse me of stuff that you are thinking.

It was just a warning to show that I'm seriously asking a help question. And I said "some" people not all people screw around in the tech forums when people and guest post help questions.

Your point is? You still insulted people on this forum. I don't really care that you insulted me, but I care when you insult the community of UB.com.

Quote:

Originally Posted by delmarco

*I don't like posting for help here lately cause some of you guys clown around way way way too much at UB-So I'll keep it brief:

Guess you never called anybody an assholes, just clowns that mess around. Yah, that's better than asshole.

I think you need to realize if you're going to ask for help on a problem you don't know the answer to, you don't insult them. Clearly, common sense is not all that common.

**Dudesky** · 08-28-2005, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delmarco

Anyway the rental company gave him hard time about sending assistance out there and told him to call the NJ state troopers and pay them to tow the whole thing.

That's because only the towing companies specifically contracted by the state are allowed to operate on the NJ Turnpike. No one else is allowed to provide you service on that highway, except those which are designated by the Turnpike Authority. And once they tow you, there are designated garages where they have to bring your vehicle; you can't have them tow it wherever you want. This standard procedure is in place for public safety reasons. So basically, when you break down, you have to wait for a trooper, and he calls in the designated tow company. Other states may also have this system in place, so it's good for you to know when you drive down I-95 to FL.

**xsperf** · 08-28-2005, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delmarco

Plus when I get to Tallahassee I want my car high up so that the towns folk can bow down to the new Bimmer in town....and the new player in town!!!
lol*

well, that makes sense

your car is going to be HIGH, so people will bow DOWN to your car...

besides, its only a 318

**komodo** · 08-28-2005, 02:44 PM

I would personally worry about putting the miles on my car over the wear and tear.

If I had to tow my car anywhere, I'd do flatbed, no questions asked. It's well worth the extra money imo.

**delmarco** · 08-28-2005, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudesky_E36

That's because only the towing companies specifically contracted by the state are allowed to operate on the NJ Turnpike. No one else is allowed to provide you service on that highway, except those which are designated by the Turnpike Authority. And once they tow you, there are designated garages where they have to bring your vehicle; you can't have them tow it wherever you want. This standard procedure is in place for public safety reasons. So basically, when you break down, you have to wait for a trooper, and he calls in the designated tow company. Other states may also have this system in place, so it's good for you to know when you drive down I-95 to FL.

Yeah he said the exact same thing. It's less to do with safety! NJ Highway Dept is corrupt! A tow truck comes that belongs to a PRIVATE contractor that has a deal with the state to tow in that stretch and boy when they show up they can charge you anything the please! This was what he dealth with. To travel all that way from GA and then about 1 and 1/2 hours from your doorstep in NY and you gotta bend over for a freaking hick ass dude to tow you where he wants for whatever he wants to charge you....
right?
I've always had beef with NJ HW troopers....

**delmarco** · 08-28-2005, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsperf

well, that makes sense

your car is going to be HIGH, so people will bow DOWN to your car...

besides, its only a 318

I know the numbers on my trunk lid! no need to tell me!
i was only jking Xsmuf!

**xsperf** · 08-28-2005, 05:13 PM

hey hey, its all cool, im just picking on you because you think your gunna leave, but you'll be back