Thread: Towing a 61 T-Bird Convertable

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I have to move it a few hundred miles and I'm trying to figure out if my F150 can tow it and what sort of trailer to use. U-Haul has 4 wheels off and 2 wheels off.

I have been searching the web for the weight and have had no luck finding the gross weight of this big bird.

Any other tips on method. 4 wheels off,
If 2 wheels which wheels off,
If rear wheels on what to do with the transmission?
If front wheels on how to lock the steering wheel.

Any other advice?

You guys have helped me get it running, now you have to help me get it to the beach where I will be driving it.

Ed

First off, let me share an opinion with you.....

I HATE tow dollies
They are used a lot, but they are less than ideal ways to transport your baby.
Especially the rental ones.
I have had more than one bad experience with tow dollies.
One cost me a lot of money fixing my stuff.
(not to mention the laundry bill )

Go rent a good trailer that has good brakes and make your trip nice and slow and get there in one piece.
Jeff

The best way would be a 2 axle trailer. Just drive the car on it and tie it down. The Bird's weight is probably between 3700 and 4000 pounds, don't know what year yours is, but the old Birds were quite heavy.

I towed my Studebaker from Lake Tahoe to Detroit in 2003. But this car was a roller with no engine or transmission. My Ford Ranger had no problem moving the car, even through the mountains. But without the engine, the car was only 2500 0r 2600 lbs.

Tow dollies usually have recommended weight retsrictions for their use, and they are usually made for today's narrower cars. I don't think that T-Bird will fit a tow dolly and do it safely. I agree with the above ideas to use a two axle trailer.

use a two axle trailer.

Well I got a 2 axel from U-Haul, never do that on a holiday weekend. I got back to the beach at 11pm. The ride on a 2 axel was smooth.
My only issue was getting it on the trailer I only had 1" clearance on both sides and the car is so low I had to park on a hill to reduce the ramp angle. Then I had to back up the hill with breaks turned on by the hitch pressure.

Thanks

Ed

I have a 1962 Thunderbird, and a 1964,,,both of them i have towed many miles with my F150 and my Flat deck tandem axle car trailer,,,,word of advice,,,if you gotta tackle any uphills,,,,get the trailer with electric brakes,,because they will hold while you are stopped uphill waiting for a light ot what have you.
Happy Dragging,,,,