Towing Issues: Tow Dolly with Lexus SC430, lexus sc430, chris answer

Question
Thanks Shayne.  I wasn't aware that the weight distribution was so even.  I will
consider the shipping option but since I have a motorcycle at my friends
house to bring across and a bicycle at my brother's place half way across the
country to pick up,  I think using the pickup and the tow dolly I already have
on the east coast will work best for me.  Plus I can stay at friends along the
way.
 One other question- since I am putting the back wheels on the tow dolly
should I lock the steering wheel in the straight position?  
 If so can I do this by having the car in park and just pulling the key out with
the steering wheel straight or do I need to use some external device to lock
the steering wheel in place?
THANKS- Chris.

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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hi Shayne,
Background:   I just purchased a wrecked Lexus SC430 in Georgia and plan
to tow it back home to california to repair it.  I have a pickup truck and a tow
dolly on the east coast that I will use.  The wheels are straight on the lexus-
damage is cosmetic/ radiator.
 My question:  Since the SC430 Hardtop convertible is rear wheel drive I was
told I should put the rear wheels on the tow dolly because otherwise even in
neautral it wouldn't be good for the tranny to have the rear wheels on the
ground.  Another person said he wasn't sure if having the rear wheels on the
tow dolly  would work because then the main weight of the vehicle (the
engine) would be all the way in the back and would cause the vehicle to
fishtail while towing.
 Your advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris

-----Answer-----
Chris,

You are correct, you cannot tow an SC430 with the rear wheels on the
ground.  Yes you can tow it on a dolly with the rear wheels on the dolly.  The
fact that there is more weight in the front of the car will make a difference.  
However, are you aware that the weight distribution of an SC430 is 53% front
to 47% rear.  The car is nearly perfectly balanced.  

I would be more concerned with overloading the tow dolly and truck.  The
SC430 weighs 3,840 lbs dry.  Add in any fuel or items that may be in it an
you could be up around 4,000 lbs.  Plus the weight of the dolly itself.   

Before you go to the trouble to tow this car across the country, I would take a
good look at the cost of having it transported versus the cost of wear on the
dolly, car and truck with an extra 4,000+ lbs trailing behind for 2,000
miles.  
Plus the cost of gas, your time, meals and hotels on the road...  The list goes
on.  

And if this is anything other than a SuperDuty truck, I wouldn't even consider
this a viable option.  

Good luck,
Shayne Peterson
MobileHitch
http://www.mobilehitch.ca/


Answer
Yes the front wheels will have to be locked to keep them straight.  Don't rely on the anti-theft lock to keep it straight as they can be both weak and unreliable.  Try to get a tow truck driver to show you how to use a thick piece of rope through the steering wheel and door jamb to keep it straight.  It involves putting a loop through the steering wheel, putting the loose end of rope through this loop (so that you now have a double noose on the wheel) and then slamming the door on the rope as you hold it taught.  Once the door is closed, you can tie a reef knot in the two loose pieces of rope to keep it from being pulled back inside the car.  

The other option you have available is to pull the driveshaft out of the car (or just unbolt the diff end and tie it up), in which case you can have the rear wheels on the ground.  

Good luck,
Shayne Peterson
MobileHitch
http://www.mobilehitch.ca/