Flat towing woes...

C.Berry

C.Berry

Bad News
Joined
Aug 10, 2008
Location
Blacksburg, Va
So I'm picking up this cheapo HF flat tow bar rated for 5k to haul my k5 up to Blacksburg the trucks stripped down to block no seats and I'll remove too when hauling to drop weight even though I believe it's under 4800lb anyway... my question is do I really need an aux brake system only reason I'm flat towing is bc k5 don't run and it has to go up a 10% graded driveway to where I'm working on it and flat tow makes that doable with what I have no way a 24" trailers gonna make it up my drive/trail! A tow bar isn't considered a trailer so it shouldn't need brakes I looked at laws but not real helpful and doesn't specify flat towing unless I missed it
 
I'd trailer it, unload at bottom of hill and then flat tow it up the hill. Just my opinion. To my understanding, flat towing typically never uses the towed vehicles brakes.
 
There are a few systems which will allow you to use the vehicles own brakes. Brake Buddy is one and I think there are some other radio controlled systems out there also. The Harbor Freight bar is crap. I flat towed my Jeep several times with it. Once the bar snapped in a turn and made for a rough situation. Had to disconnect and drive them both home. I agree with the trailer as much as you can and towbar as little as you can mentality...
 
VA laws may be stricter than NC also. Save the money on the tow bar, beg borrow a trailer and buy a brake controller instead.. just use a strap or chain to pull it up your driveway with someone in tow.. that's my suggestion.
 
ok may just rent dolly from uhaul and then like said chain it up the hill bc it still has steering connected!@92_SquareEye I'm gonna check out the hf tow bar tho just to pull my junk around the property and if I find any local deals to drag home... what part broke in yours the pivot,bolt???
 
a_kelley said:
VA laws may be stricter than NC also. Save the money on the tow bar, beg borrow a trailer and buy a brake controller instead.. just use a strap or chain to pull it up your driveway with someone in tow.. that's my suggestion.
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Va laws are ridiculous... I've been pulled over in my zj for soooooo many diff reasons it would make a normal person quit the hobby! Apparently any modification to your vehicle in va is illegal! And if it's got dented panels then it's a auto pullover bc something's gotta be improper... smh
 
92_SquareEye said:
the long arm bent, pinched and snapped. this was 10+ yrs ago
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Damn! I've done some research seems ppl have pulled up to 7k on this one they have out now without issue! It's $70 it'll come in handy for scraping cars and junk I pick up... I may beef it up too if possible
 
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