|
|
|
#1
|
||||
|
||||
Towing DISASTER!!!
Yesterday, we were going to tow the Benz to Maringouin to work on the transmission. We have done this many times before. This time to make it easier we backed the car onto the dolly. NEVER do this! We know now. The weight distribution was totally wrong and caused an out of control condition. The Equinox rolled once and the Benz was broken loose when the hitch broke loose. No one was hurt seriously. Here is what it looked like at the scene. Paul
__________________
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/5...andbenzqj3.jpg1979 W123 300D Silver with Blue interior |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Just goes to show how safe mercedes are . LOL Glad to hear no one was hurt.
__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg 1995 E420 Schwarz 1995 E300 Weiss #1987 300D Sturmmachine #1991 300D Nearly Perfect #1994 E320 Cabriolet #1995 E320 Touring #1985 300D Sedan OBK #42 |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Jeeezuz man, I'm glad no one was hurt seriously. There have been a number of discussions on here about not putting the rear wheels on dollies. I guess this confirms the wisdom of that idea.
What exactly happened?
__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
Glad to see nobody was hurt.
The only way to tow a MB safely (for the car and yourself) is to put it on a flatbed.
__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions) '08 Chevy Tahoe '93 Ducati 900 SS '79 Kawasaki KZ 650 '86 Kawasaki KX 250 '88 Kawasaki KDX200 '71 Hodaka Ace 100 '72 Triumph T100R |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
How does backing on the dolly change weight distribution and cause an out of control condition? Sounds more like the steering wasn't properly secured, the dolly doesn't care which end you're rolling.
Glad you're okay.
__________________
Gone to the dark side - Jeff |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
the heavy side needs to be on the dolly, otherwise it wants to strear the tow vehicle instead of the other way around and this makes it unstable at speed. it will sway side to side until it finds a harmonic then it will throw you off the road. same issue with improper loading of a car trailer, the engine should always be in the front, too light tongue weight will do the same thing. to the OP, wow, glad you are OK....
__________________
1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale 2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold 2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably) 1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast) 1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style) 2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails) |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
Glad that you are ok....
Fix or total the van???
__________________
83 300SD Dark Silver Dark brown inside |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
The heavy end has to be in the front on a trailer to maintain proper tongue weight, on a dolly there is no significant overhang behind the wheels, completely different scenario.
We've got people towing all kinds of cars backwards on tow dollys all across the country behind motorhomes in our group, I'd better tell them that it can't be done LOL. Works fine for me. You just need to secure it properly to the dolly, and make sure that the steering is secure.
__________________
Gone to the dark side - Jeff |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
I GOTTA know what you did wrong.
I have never seen any description of problems with weight distribution on a tow dolly before. steering must have not been locked, or there must have been a problem with the dolly itself. I am Very glad nobody got hurt! post some more pics!
__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere! |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
from the Uhaul website...
no mention of which way to load a vehicle. Your towing vehicle: * Must be equipped with a full hard top if it is a sport utility type vehicle. If the top or any portion of the top is removed, or is not a hard top, your sport utility type vehicle cannot be used for towing U-Haul equipment. A full hard top must be in place. * Must weigh at least 750 lbs. more than the vehicle being towed * Must have Class 2 tow hitch (3,500 lbs. minimum weight-carrying rating) * Must have 1-7/8", 2" or 2-1/8" hitch ball (3,500 lbs. minimum) * Must not exceed maximum allowable hitch ball height 25" * Must have external mirrors on both sides * Must have fully operational lighting * Tow dolly lighting must be operational at all times, day and night, loaded or unloaded * Maximum recommended speed is 45 MPH The vehicle being towed: * Must not weigh in excess of 3,450 lbs. if it is front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and 3,900 lbs. if it is rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive * Must have a maximum outside-to-outside tire width of 72" * Must not exceed a body width (at the doors) of 75" Note: body widths over 72" must use late-model U-Haul Tow Dolly (identifiable by silver galvanized color) * Low-hanging equipment on the vehicle being towed such as spoilers, air dams, ground effects, etc., may be damaged by contact with the tow dolly during loading and unloading. Make sure there is enough clearance for these items. * Tow lights (tail/stop/turn) required at rear of vehicle being towed Um... how much does your van weigh?
__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere! |
#11
|
||||
|
||||
Sorry to hear of the trouble.
The best way to tow is with a trailer with brakes. I don't know what went wrong here but the benz is still sitting on the dolly right side up so apparently it was not lashed down wrongly. Glad you didn't scratch those new hubcaps I sold you! Tom W
__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#12
|
||||
|
||||
nope!
Uhaul says NEVER load the vehicle backwards! line 7 I think of the saftey instructions.., http://www.uhaul.com/guide/userguide-towdolly.pdf
__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere! |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
I talked to some dolly manufacturers a few years ago when I was considering towing a Benz with the rear wheels up. They all said don't do it.
__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
By guess........without any data..........is that the problem is a combination of two issues. The heavy end of the MB was at the back of the rig. This is less desirable for controlling sway and would limit the speed of the rig. The towing vehicle was probably of similar weight as the combined weight of the dolly and the M/B. When the heavier tail end of the Benz started to sway at high speed, the relatively light towing vehicle was subject to increasing oscillations until it was uncontrollable. Either a heavier tow vehicle or a reduced towing speed would have prevented this accident. My guess is that it occurred at above 45 mph. |
#15
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere! |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|