Towing 900 miles - canopy on or off?

[newbury]

I've only towed my M4700 about 20 miles, facing forward, w/canopy on but I had straps over it.
Now I'm about to tow it down to Mississippi from about DC, I'm not yet sure which way it will face for weight distribution. But I'm pretty sure forward because of weight distribution.

Should I take the canopy off or does it not matter? Straps? I'm not sure of the difficult of removing bolts etc. probably rusted in over 18 years.

I've read several of the threads here and it seems that to some it doesn't matter:
example

Now I sure don't know about that particular canopy, but I had a homemade canvas canopy on my B7100, then a Wells Ag Co. steel canopy on my B2710 and I hauled both of them facing forward on the trailer; never had a problem

Suggestions?

 

[Stick895]

I'd take it off simply because I think the drag from it would affect your gas mileage. Like the open bed of a pickup.

 

[Bird]

I see you quoted something I posted long ago. If it were a canvas canopy, such as the homemade one I had on my B7100, I'd take the canvas off the frame for a trip that long. But if it's anything like the Wells Ag Co. metal canopy I had on my B2710, I wouldn't do anything special; just load it and go, whether it was facing forward or backwards.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Without seeing I cant say but I would do everything possible to get it on backwards so its a non issue.

Chris

 

[Gary Fowler]

As long as the angle of the canopy is neutral or nearly so, it really makes no difference which way it is loaded. If it is metal I wouldn't do anything. I have hauled my B26 500 miles and no issues although it does have four post support. Also hauled a golf cart 500 miles in back of my pickup going freeway speeds with the little fiberglass canopy with no issues. I didn't strap anything across either of them for canopy support. I don't think you would have a problem with a properly installed metal or fiberglass canopy.

 

[newbury]

Well here's some pics:






How would you judge the angle?

I'm probably going to try and take it off, but with all the other stuff to do before leaving time is tight.

 

[aczlan]

Throw a strap across the top and haul it as it sits...

Aaron Z

 

[Egbert]

From looking at the underside support, I would say - either take it off - or - run a strap lengthwise over the top (front to back) and load the tractor backwards to the wind.

 

[compact]

I'd leave it on - I might run a ratchet strap over it.

 

[Jim Shooz]

From looking at the underside support, I would say - either take it off - or - run a strap lengthwise over the top (front to back) and load the tractor backwards to the wind.

Best option. Particularly with the strap front to back.