Towing a 1954 Chevy 3100 Truck

Hi everyone,

  My fiance has a 1954 Chevy 3100 truck (1/2 ton, stepside.) We are moving in a couple of months and need it to be towed a long distance (300 miles), and therefore a having a tow truck tow it 300 miles isn't exactly economical and not what I am looking for. The truck needs to be towed off of all four wheels. I have tried to call Uhaul but they aren't exactly helpful and can't give me any information whatsoever.

  So, have any of you seen/know somebody who has towed a truck like this (or even another anitique truck) and know where I can find information on towing? A site or rental company?

  My future-mother-in-law swears the only way it can be towed is on a flatbed but my fiance says otherwise and says it can be towed on a car trailer. So I am stuck in the middle. Any information on this issue would be helpful.  

Hi,

Can you clarify why it needs to be transported off of its wheels?

If it does not roll it will be difficult to get it onto a U-HAUL car trailer  
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1950 Chevy 3600

1942 Ford Jeep

An 18' flat bed works fine for towing. Just ensure it has a capacity of at least 7K lbs.  Be careful though as some trailers are constructed with two 3,500 lb axles but the frame is not strong enough to support that much weight.  Make sure it is designed for carrying vehicles.

I have one and have carried my 54 around on it several times.  Where do you live?  In this area you can rent a trailer for this purpose.

If Uhaul is your only option you will need to tell them you will be carrying a 1992 S-10 or equal.  They baulk at renting their equipment for vehicles that are not in their database.

Make sure you use appropriate tie-downs/straps.  Too many times I have seen vehicles on trailers secured (?) with rope or those narrow straps.

Uhaul will also want to ensure your tow vehicle is up to snuff so do not expect them to let you tow it with a sedan.

Mother-in-law needs to butt out.  If you are taking her advice now before the wedding you are heading down the wrong path.

It is pretty cool that your wife to be has an old truck.  Is that the reason you are getting hitched?  Is so I have heard of worse.  

Good luck.  

If it has an open driveline, you can disconnect the driveshaft for the rear end, and use a tow bar, or dolly.  If the  steering is tight, you can also back it onto a dolly, and tie the steering wheel straight.

A car trailer is better idea.  
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1949 Chevy 1 1/2ton, home-built hydraulic wrecker.  Rustoleum industrial black, with flames.  Flamethrowers out 5" dual stacks.
1962 Chevy C-20, 402BB, 4-speed, 3.90 positrack. Hauls my camper.... among other things.

I just brought my 52 home on a u-haul car trailer. according to their database, their trailer could support my 52. I do recommend you do not lie about what you are towing with. You could find yourself in some serious trouble if your vehicle can't handle the weight. I used a truck which according to them was fine but I will be using a beefier truck next time for long trips. I simply used their tie straps and chains to keep it on the trailer    
1952 Chevrolet 3100

I actually just brought a 3/4 ton 52 home on a U-haul car trailer and it worked perfectly.  Penske also has the same car trailers.  It ran me about $60 for a 24 hour period which was great compared to what it would have costed for a tow.  Hope this helps.

-Greg  

Okay, so can I tow my 1954 Pick-up on a car trailer pulled by a 1998 Astrovan 6 cylinder rear wheel drive with tow package?  OR are we crazy? many thanks. We would be towing it about 120 miles from Willits California to Napa California.  

If the pickup and the trailer are less than 5000 pounds than you should be good.