Flat Towing 1932 Ford

topfuel724

topfuel724

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I have a 32 Ford that is flathead powered with a S-10 5 speed transmission. Transmission is open drive shaft. 32 Rear end was converted to open drive by Hot Rod Works. It has 4.11 gears with late style pull out axles.

I am considering going on a 600-700 mile trip and taking the 32. I do not have a trailer any more or access to one. Would it be ok to flat tow the car with the drive shaft in the car or should it be removed to prevent any damage to the transmission?

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.
 
I flat towed my stock model A from L A Cal to Oregon. I Overfilled the transmission so it would maintain lubrication. I am glad nothing went wrong but I doubt I would try it again. Rent a trailer if possible. Better yet drive the '32 and have a more fun outing.
 
It's probably not a great idea to flat tow these days, but if you do you can have the trans in neutral and wedge the clutch pedal down. This will allow the whole gear train to slowly rotate and maintain lubrication.

That said, 6-700 miles seems a long way to me.
 
Check to make sure flat towing is allowed in your state.
Provided that flat towing is legally allowed in your state — there are rules regarding towed-vehicle weight limits — the basic requirements are electrical connections for brake and running lights and turn signals, just like a traditional trailer. Auxiliary braking systems are also mandatory in most states.

It would be a lot safer and easier to rent a trailer-enclosed if possible.
Plus, you don't want anything to happen to your 32.
 
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A U-HAUL trailer is cheap. Take your own measurements to make sure your car will fit the trailer. If you tell them you’re towing a ‘32 Ford and their computer says it doesn’t fit or they can’t look to see if it fits, they may not rent it to you. Bring straps to tie down the rear. The vehicle you use should be able to haul the weight of the car and trailer…..Mark
 
Don't know if this story is true, but I once read about a guy that was flat-towing a Model A at highway speeds. Of course the car was in neutral when he started out but apparently he had left something in the front seat that must have had some weight to it and when he had to make a sudden stop, the heavy item rolled off the seat into the shifter and bumped it, putting the transmission in second gear! So the story goes that he didn't know what had happened until he stopped to find out why his tow vehicle was having to pull much harder than when he started out. It was then he discovered that towing the car at highway speeds in second gear had caused the engine to come apart!

Murphy's Law still prevails.
 
I did a car toter from NE Central Iowa to half hour from the southern border. Never again. Got a lot older and wiser on that trip and a permanent tan on my left arm. All above X 10.
 
if you must flat tow remove the tail shaft from the diff you will destroy/damage the transmission if you dont [the main shaft will spin with very minimal lube and cause havoc]find out whats legal. Trailer hire is cheap compared to repairs and fines often you can hire one privately thru FACE B
 
After my experience flat towing a Model A coupe I would advise NO. Rent the U-Haul!
I had a heavy duty A shaped bar the bolted to the two holes at the end of the frame horns
Had the steering wheel locked down..
Did OK until I got in some rain. Coupe got up on some water in the road, got sideways and jack knifed, then started to fishtail. Finally got it under control, but it bent one end of the tow bar. Naugahyde puckering moment to say the least.
 
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