NYS tow laws

[Pietato]

Well im picking up a trans for my 98 tomorrow and have some questions.

A buddy of mine was kind enough to donate his garage for the swap. He lives about 7mi from me. The 98 isnt on the road right now as I swapped the plates to my 04 when I bought it, so I'm trying to figure out the best way of transport.

Now I've seen people use chains/ropes/straps/ect but is this legal? I wont need to be going very fast and it does run so power steering and brakes are a go.

It also drives be it not gracefully but I dont think I'm bold enough to swap plates

I could rent a tow dolly but If I could do this on the cheap that would be great

[Hickfromhell88]

I towed a buddys mustang 25 miles on the highway by tow rope and didnt get looked at once by the cops, just make sure your brakes are strong enough for your truck plus his since yours does ALL the braking.

[Pietato]

Well someone would have to steer couldn't they brake as well?

[OhioMike]

It also drives be it not gracefully but I dont think I'm bold enough to swap plates

I could rent a tow dolly but If I could do this on the cheap that would be great

SSwitching plates is a bad idea because it is saying that the vehicle is legal, and it clearly isn't. I would say that you would probably be better driving w/o a plate. You don't have a title or you could get a 30 day tag? Obviously, you don't want to spend a lot of money, but I would seriously get a tow dolly. What if something goes wrong w/o one?

[Pietato]

I do have the title and I'll probably end up with the tow dolly. Just looking for some ideas

[94bseries]

Grab a buddy and a tow rope. Set the e brake on the dead truck a couple of clicks to keep tension on the strap. Oh and take a back road if possible

[Skylark65]

chain towing is illegal as all hell, just an FYI. i've done it a couple of times, but only when i had no other options. if you choose to chain tow it, you will need someone in the truck behind you for brakes & steering, and in case it gets away from you. but honestly, if it runs and drives, i would drive it, and have a buddie follow close behind, mabe another buddie right in front of you.

you could also buy a tow bar from harbor freight, they work much better than chain towing but i'm honestly not sure how legal they are, and if one would even be compatable with a ranger.

of course, renting a tow dolly is your best, safest, and most legal option. $50-150 to rent a dolly VS. a dick cop throwing the book at you for chain towing / and or/ no tags and all the associated fines & possible cort costs, i'd rent a dolly.

[Pietato]

Originally Posted by Skylark65

chain towing is illegal as all hell, just an FYI. i've done it a couple of times, but only when i had no other options. if you choose to chain tow it, you will need someone in the truck behind you for brakes & steering, and in case it gets away from you. but honestly, if it runs and drives, i would drive it, and have a buddie follow close behind, mabe another buddie right in front of you.

you could also buy a tow bar from harbor freight, they work much better than chain towing but i'm honestly not sure how legal they are, and if one would even be compatable with a ranger.

of course, renting a tow dolly is your best, safest, and most legal option. $50-150 to rent a dolly VS. a dick cop throwing the book at you for chain towing / and or/ no tags and all the associated fines & possible cort costs, i'd rent a dolly.

Sounds like im sticking with the dolly. That being said its kind of surprising how many times I've seen chain towing

[94bseries]

Sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures that's for sure. But if legality is of concern then you're definately on the right track with the dolly. I can borrow a dolly any time from work yet you'll still catch me chain towing when a buddy calls at the last minute