Thoughts on Flat-towing?

[IsaacR]

Welp, this is the first post from a long time wanderer of the forums. Thought I might as well make an account finally.

Since we're moving on towards spring here in the northeast, all the mechanics and hot-rodders are going to be coming out of there caves before too long. Swap meets and show events are on the way and I'd like to follow. 
And additionally since I'm done helping a friend with his 41' I decided it's about time to bring my 51'? Cranbrook out of storage and start wrenching. I haven't touched it since late 2015 and the poor thing is bone stock with a detonated transmission. It was already done in when I bought the car and it's been stored since, but I recently tripped over a good deal on a stock replacement. 

Anyways, enough storytelling outta me. In a few days I'll need to move the car about 50 miles and thought I might save some cash by towing it myself and not renting a trailer. Nobody is made of money after all. 

Of course the question of this post is what experience folk have had with flat towing rather than bed towing over the years. And if something like this 51' would be an easy tow, considering I do have a couple of different bars meant for older vehicles. 

Thanks to all in advance. 
Isaac R.

Edited February 13, 2019 by IsaacR

[59bisquik]

I flat towed my 55 pickup home from Oregon (700+ miles) and last year towed it over 200 miles each way to Vegas since I was having oil pressure issues. Just left her in neutral and rolled down the freeway.

[JerseyHarold]

I've towed several '51-'52 Plymouths with a tow bar. I clamped onto the front bumpers with no trouble at all.   They follow easily and aren't real heavy.  Don't forget safety chain.    I wrote "In Tow" using pieces of masking tape on the rear window to alert people following me.  

 

If your car has been sitting, make sure the tires are not dry-rotted and hold air well.  You may also want to check the rear end for grease in the differential.

[greg g]

Flat towed mine from State College PA to Syracuse in 72. Just put in neutral.  Hooked it to my father in laws Ford wagon with a u haul clamp on two bar. No drama.  If your trans is perished. I would pull the drive shaft to prevent any lock up that my occurred.  Where are you in CNY? I have a trans in my garage That I removed last year.  Irt was in operating condition with a couple of minor leaks.

[knuckleharley]

Depends. If your tires are more than a couple of years old and you have to pull and repack the wheel bearings to be on the safe side in addition to replacing the tires,it would be cheaper and safer to just rent a U-Haul trailer for a 1 way trip.

Yeah,we all used to flat two old cars coast to coast in the 70's and earlier with no problems,but the tires back then weren't bombs waiting to explode.

[captden29]

DON' T  try this with a powerflite. that tranny has a pump in the rear of the tranny that will pump when you tow it in neutral or not. that is why you can push start a car with that tranny.     capt den

[_shel_ny]

Towed my Dodge from Hornell.  About 200 miles. Took the drive shaft loose at the rear. It was 4 bolts.