Tow company vs. Tow Myself?

[Aluminati]

I am sure this question must have been asked before but I was unable to find it (newbie). Here is the deal. I have a trailer that I have just purchased...sitting since 79 I believe. I have been calling around to different tow companies and the going rate is about $600-$650 to tow 125 miles one way! This would be if everything was in rollable condition. For a flat-bed/lowboy it is 110 an hr...it is 2.5 hrs away from where I live. Would it be better to just spend the money on tires and brakes and tow it myslef?

It is a 68 overlander and I am having a devil of a time trying to find bias-ply tires in my area for a resonable price.

Thank You in advance for reading this post.

[Road Ruler]

Radial tires would be the way to go as far as replacement of the tires.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Aluminati

I am sure this question must have been asked before but I was unable to find it (newbie). Here is the deal. I have a trailer that I have just purchased...sitting since 79 I believe. I have been calling around to different tow companies and the going rate is about $600-$650 to tow 125 miles one way! This would be if everything was in rollable condition. For a flat-bed/lowboy it is 110 an hr...it is 2.5 hrs away from where I live. Would it be better to just spend the money on tires and brakes and tow it myslef?

It is a 68 overlander and I am having a devil of a time trying to find bias-ply tires in my area for a resonable price.

Thank You in advance for reading this post.

Make sure you check out the axles.

The following will help you to check them.

Dura Torque Axle

Any torsion axle trailer setting for 28 years will have failed rubber rods, which lowers the trailer, which causes it to bottom out when hitting bumps. That in turn, results in many other damages to several things.

Also, get all the exterior gaskets replaced asap, to keep the rain out.

Other repairs can take place later as long as you keep the inside dry.

Andy

[ROBERT CROSS]

WELCOME, YOUV'E COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE FOR ALL THINGS
AIRSTREAM

If you have the time and feel comfortable/confident in doing the

necesasary work, and if the tow vehicle is up to it, go for it. Better to spend

the bucks on the new toy!!!!

Start at the front, make sure the propane tanks are empty, inspect the hitch

Are there weight distribution bars and sway control, if not youv'e just spent

some of your savings. Your tires(radials) are already off, being mounted and

balanced on new, or carefully inspected wheels. Time to replace the brake

shoes, clean and inspect the drums, re-surface if needed, replace magnets if

necessary and inspect & re-pack wheel bearings, replace if in doubt.

While it's on jack stands, with the wheels off, time for some real FUN.

Plug er' in to the T.V., and start checking all the lights and brake power

supply, of course youv'e already got that brake controller installed.



These are all things your going to have to do before using the new rig.

We can all understand if this is more than you want to get involved with

125mi from home, some further tow shopping might be in order. (flatbed)

Then we have the FORUM....you will no doubt hear from some fellow

Michi-Streamr's who may be able to help out before the snow flies!!

[Lumatic]

Welcome to the forums. You can expect answers to your questions all over the map, you know what they say about opinions. You will find a lot of good good info however.

My answer to your query, and many others, is it depends. Depends on how far you have to tow and over what quality roads, and how adventurous (some would say foolish) you are. Tires that old no doubt are rotten. Even if they don't look it. You have tandem axles if one blows and you go SLOW you will PROBABLY be OK bring a spare, and some axle grease for the road if you don't grease the axles first. Personally I wouldn't worry about empty propane tanks, but that's just me. Also depends on how much towing a fairly large trailer you've done. If you haven't I think it would be better to go pro or have the work done at a RV service provider first. I'm not sure if someone else mentioned it yet but a tow at anything other than SLOW speed without trailer brakes is asking for it. I'm sure there are other who hold to the opinion any tow of this size vehicle without brakes is a disaster waiting to happen. A 4-5000# trailer without brakes will push your TV in a panic stop and may very well jackknife.