The Grim Reaper came for my vert today....

[krash]

As the title says, the Grim Reaper came for my vert today, AND LEFT WITHOUT IT!!! Story:This last month We've been cleaning out my dad's shop because the idiot landlord decided to be an idiot and be all anal about the lease renewal. So we've been movin out this whole month. Today we were finishing up everything and there was a couple things left to take to a lot that we are renting: My vert, my dad's work horse (1998 Dodge Dakota), and some tools and tool boxes. So my dad hooked up a dolly to the dakota and was towing the vert with it. In the back of the truck was the tool boxes etc. On the highway the vert started shaking the whole dolly. This started throwin the truck of and jackniffed it. My dad and his friend antonio spun around 180 degrees during rush hour and slammed into the guard rail, the vert and dolly still attached. one tool cart flew out of the truck and onto the highway. Miraculously, no one was injured and thank god for that because this could have been horrible. As for the vert, when I got the call from my dad I already decided she was totaled. BUT, miracle number two, she only got some minor rear bumper damage . the truck took a hard hit to the quarter panel but still ran like a champ all the way to the lot. My dad's buddy picked up the vert in a tow truck for saftey. all in all, crazy day but it turned out okay. Time for me to shut up and post some pics:

Antonio goin "AYE DIOS MIO, HIJA DE -bleeeep-!!!"

180, dunno how NO other car was involved....

This truck just wont die

Heres the tool cart that flew off

The bumper damage was only caused by the vert's bumper hittin up against the truck

and a nice little new year's gift for the county, which they did not make us pay for by the way

Well thats it, one of the craziest days in the last 6 months man, could've lost my dad, my vert, and antonio man.....
Modified by krash14 at 10:03 AM 1/1/2008

[Loki]

I recommend loto tickets. You are amazingly lucky. If that was me I would've totaled both cars and been attacked by a bear. Then got hit by a drunk driver. Super glad to hear you guys are all okay!!

Just wondering, but how would one anchor the front tires to prevent them from turning on the road when towing?

[krash]

lol thanks man, im still amazed by the outcome! and about anchoring the wheell, we had it on steering lock but i think it was still slightly turned, not completley straight. other than that you can tie up the steering wheel with the seat belt and the retractor will keep it from moving.

[Loki]

Man, that would worry the hell out of me. I would so put up the cash to rent a trailer that carries all four wheels or a flatbed.

[BMAR240SX]

Wow you are very very very lucky

[krash]

yes that would have been the smart thing to do hahaha

[slip69]

holy **** dude that was pure luck that nothing much happened to that vert!!!. from now on i will call your car lucky-13!!

[ishkabibble]

Whew. I'm glad we didn't lose another one!

[krash]

holy **** dude that was pure luck that nothing much happened to that vert!!!. from now on i will call your car lucky-13!!

Haha that has a nice ring to it!

Whew. I'm glad we didn't lose another one!

you have no idea, i almost passed out when my dad called me tellin me about the car. He has a way of makin stuff sound REALLY bad hahaha

[Acecool]

Shouldve towed it the other way around... front wheels on the dolly, rear wheels on the ground...

[ishkabibble]

Shouldve towed it the other way around... front wheels on the dolly, rear wheels on the ground...

That typically requires disconnecting the driveshaft.

[Acecool]

Or putting it in neutral?

[madcowvert]

That title scared the crap out of me i thought your vert was gone!!!

I'm glad it's ok and only had some bumper dammage i hate those trailers when they start to wobble hust a littel you need to slow down fast..

I gald every one is ok...

[DirftKing102]

Man, you are very lucky!!!!! Hopefully you get that dent out of your vert!

[krash]

thanks alot for the concern guys. and I'm not even worried about the bumper damage, i have to replace it anyway! and we've already learned out lesson about towing with the drive wheels rolling. My dad asked his friend to pick up a car and the guy towed it with the front wheels rolling, (it was a ford escort, FWD) it was long distance so it eventually lit up the carpet and burst into flames on I-95. by the time we got there the car was nice and crispy lol, everything burnt. i dunno about shoving it in neutral though, i think it will still create heat in the transmission. but man all i got to say is that im one luck mofo...

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Yeah you're lucky alright. Glad nothing happened. Your thread title also had me thinking we lost another one.

Whew...

[BiXLL]

Or putting it in neutral?

Towing any distance like that and you will blow the pump out of transmission.

[Acecool]

Oh...

How fast was he driving?

[ishkabibble]

A few cars can be towed with the drive wheels on the ground. Most can't, not even in neutral. There is not enough lubrication for the moving parts in the drivetrain.

[krash]

Here's some pics of the "horrible" damage to the vert







that damage is so insignificant heck, I probably wont even get that fixed until wayyy later

[S13_convert]

You are so lucky! That is why I am all about flat bed tow trucks! Thank God we didn't lose another one!

[DeXteR]

Good grief, man!

I would have crapped my pants seeing this happen. Glad everyone was okay - including your vert.

[Danrc30]

Towing any distance like that and you will blow the pump out of transmission.

I can certainly vouch for that. I found this out the hard way when I towed mine home after I bought it. About a 45 minute drive. Ruined the auto trans... but I wanted a 5-speed anyway...

Cars with a manual trans can be towed with the drive wheels down in neutral without issue.

[1sikS13]

oh i would have been horrified im never gonna put my hatch on a dolly not ever after seeing that

[krash]

yea man, im all for a flatbed all the way now. and ur hatch is pretty damn nice BTW.

[Florida240sx]

4 14mm bolts to disconnect the driveshaft from the differential...Glad everyone is ok

[Danrc30]

yea man, im all for a flatbed all the way now. and ur hatch is pretty damn nice BTW.

Guys, I've towed dozens of cars on my wheel dolly behind my 4Runner and I've never had a problem. As long as you set it up right, you won't have a problem. I've hit 80mph on the higway going down a mountain and had no problems. Just be careful and tie it down right. Also, automatic transmission cars need the driveshaft disconnected. 5 speeds can be put in neutral.

[krash]

the problem was that when the wheels locked, they looked straight. but they were off at a very small angle. and driving like that for an extended period will eventually start shifting the car that way