using a tow rope

[MikeWaters]

Tow my minivan with my Tundra 5 miles to shop.

Good idea or bad idea?

How hard is it to be the back vehicle? I am assuming power brakes and power steering only work when motor is running, or do they just need electricity on?

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Tow my minivan with my Tundra 5 miles to shop.

Good idea or bad idea?

How hard is it to be the back vehicle? I am assuming power brakes and power steering only work when motor is running, or do they just need electricity on?

Just have AAA tow it.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by TripletDaddy

Just have AAA tow it.

AAA membership costs $65 for "classic" and only tows 3 miles.

Nice.

I can get my van towed for $40, for more than 3 miles, by calling a wrecker.

Compound the cost of AAA membership over several years, and that's a lot of money for "peace of mind".

[K-dog]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Tow my minivan with my Tundra 5 miles to shop.

Good idea or bad idea?

How hard is it to be the back vehicle? I am assuming power brakes and power steering only work when motor is running, or do they just need electricity on?

It is more difficult to brake and steer but, as long as you are fine with keeping the brakes on to some degree the whole time and you don't have a lot of tight turns to make, you are fine. I've towed vehicles from SLC to Provo and Provo to SLC before without mishap.

[bluegoose]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Tow my minivan with my Tundra 5 miles to shop.

Good idea or bad idea?

How hard is it to be the back vehicle? I am assuming power brakes and power steering only work when motor is running, or do they just need electricity on?

I towed my Hyundai Excel behind my buddies car from Ellensburg, WA to Seattle during spring break one year when my timing belt snapped. I can't remember exactly how far that distance was, but it had to be at least 300 miles. I lost several years off of my life from the stress of trying to keep my car from ramming the back of his car while weaving through the canyon back to Seattle.

3 miles through town should be a piece of cake. And you are correct, the power steering and brakes will not work. The steering is not a huge deal, but the braking can get a hairy.

[FMCoug]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

AAA membership costs $65 for "classic" and only tows 3 miles.

Nice.

I can get my van towed for $40, for more than 3 miles, by calling a wrecker.

Compound the cost of AAA membership over several years, and that's a lot of money for "peace of mind".

Are you campaigining for "cheapest bastard on CG"? If so, you win, hands down.

[Surfah]

Originally Posted by FMCoug

Are you campaigining for "cheapest bastard on CG"? If so, you win, hands down.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

[MikeWaters]

I'm not sure which scares me most--Farrah pulling with the truck, or Farrah steering and braking in the van. That makes me not want to go through with it.

[K-dog]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

I'm not sure which scares me most--Farrah pulling with the truck, or Farrah steering and braking in the van. That makes me not want to go through with it.

My wife drives the lead vehicle. She just goes nice and steady and I adjust from the back.

[cougjunkie]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Tow my minivan with my Tundra 5 miles to shop.

Good idea or bad idea?

How hard is it to be the back vehicle? I am assuming power brakes and power steering only work when motor is running, or do they just need electricity on?

Rent a car dolly from Uhaul. Or use I am sure someone has a towbar you can use, thats a lot easier than a rope, if not then you drive the back vehicle so that you can keep the rope tight, otherwise everytime the slack is let out it will jerk.