Enclosed car trailers

[Chris Patrick]

Re: Enclosed car trailers - DO NOT COVER on open

This is a BAD idea to run a cover on a car on an open trailer. Think of a coarse buffer for several hours on your paint.

I saw one on the way to Bloomington years ago and I'll never forget it. Obviously, a perfect black car at one time, however, it looked like the paint was stripped from every high spot on that body. Apparently, the cover had gotten loose so the driver stopped to reattach the cover. The look on those guys' faces will always be remembered.

The guy sitting on the ground was obviously the owner, and the shock he was in cannot be described.

[Chris Patrick]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

Nowadays (great term, eh?) all the manufacturers have recommended towing capacities listed. The half ton will be much lower than that 20 ft trailer, I bet.

If you load that trailer right, you will have about 2500 to 3000 lbs of trailer and 3500 lbs of Corvette. That is going to be 6500 lbs.

If you put anything else inside, and you will, the weight goes up. Normal travel is going to be a floor jack, tool box, cooler, lawn chairs, umbrella or awning, and so on. You will be surprised how fast you get to 7000 lbs.

So if you buy a 7000 GVWR trailer, you will be fully loaded.

You will want 10% to 15% on the tongue weight, so you are looking at 700 - 1150 lbs on the ball.

Now see what your half ton says about rear GAWR. You can do it, and if you are only doing 3 or 4 trips a year, and they are only a few hundred miles, you are probably ahead not to go buy a 3/4 ton. But if you are doing more trips and you are stretching out 1000 miles or so, that half ton will not keep you happy.

[Mark B.]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

Dick, Try this website: www.serpentexpress.com. They have a uniques solution that I am considering, also. Good luck.

[Joe C.]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

I have a carmate-20' trailer- works great, cost me around 7K- I use a F150 ford to pull it, I have a 63 vette, I have no problems.

[Dick G.]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

Thanks for all the great opinions. My aluminum Tommy trailer has an air dam. It has served me well. I would love to drive this car to the first meet, but I need to get her through the first meet unscathed. You know, the first chips hurt. I would never use a cover on a car on an open trailer, guarnteed paint damage. Thanks DG

[Chris Patrick]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

Dick, unless you are traveling rock roads, I don't see you getting any paint chips with the air dam. It is always possible for the stray rock thrown by a passing vehicle, but this is very rare. I've pulled cars all over on open trailers and have never had any issue and did not have the air dam.

Even new Corvettes get delivered on open trailers.

One thing you probably have not thought about is the joy you bring to many people who can see your car passing. I have seen kids glued to the windows as they pass me. They are the future, and this may be the first contact that triggers their love of Corvettes instead of an import.

I have had people pull up, roll down windows, and ask what year or tell me how great the car is. I was a bit nervous with some, after all you are in the middle of nowhere, but they were all genuinely excited about seeing a Corvette on the trailer.

I think I could trade a rock chip or two for the positive statement it does for the hobby. If you can't drive, it is the next best thing. Other Corvettes even wave.

Try any of that with an enclosed trailer. It won't happen towing a big white box.

[Dick W.]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

I have seen kids glued to the windows as they pass me. I have had the same reaction hauling cows down the interstate Seriously, after having a brand new windshield knocked out by a rock, we are leary of hauling on an open trailer. I suppose if your air dam was high enough you would be OK. Also they make a towing cover that works real good. We still have the one that we used 25 years ago. It probably weighs 50# or more. Tied down properly on a clean car it works very well.

[Don G.]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

Additional benefits in favor of the enclosed trailer is security from vandalism in hotel parking lots and protection from storm damage such as hail.
I average 5 road trips a year that include multiple overnight stays in hotels.
I will not go back to open trailers.

[Terry R.]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

When looking for an enclosed trailer the door on the left side that allows you to get out easily after loading is a pretty handy.

[Chris Patrick]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

Dick, I hate to say it, but some of this could be why non-NCRS Corvette people view NCRS the way they do.

Should we take a count and see how many have had a windshield broken on an open trailer?

Then let's count those who had hail damage at an NCRS meet. I wonder which is less.

Now will that stop those who had hail damage at an NCRS meet from ever returning to another NCRS meet? By your logic, the ones at that Kentucky meet should never come back.

There is always the possibility for damage or problems. Are you going to hide just because of that possibility?

Before we get too far, I should state that most of my miles have been with enclosed trailers, not open. But I won't shy away from an open trailer.

I've seen enclosed trailers flip in bad storms. I think a Corvette sitting on its side may be worse than having some hail or sticks hitting it in the wind.

I've seen enclosed trailers burn to the ground. You'd never get your car out in time. I've never seen an open trailer burn. I've seen trailers crash and spill the contents everywhere.

Yes, overnight parking is an issue. I have taken Corvettes and others on open trailers into the underground parking. Can't do that with an enclosed, and an enclosed = money to anyone who is looking for trouble.

Should you avoid all trailering as a result?

Maybe if you worry that much, you should build a bunker and lock your Corvette away in it. Somehow, I think those taking the risks are the winners. For all the griping about Roy on here, I think he is truly enjoying his Corvettes, and helping others enjoy them, too.

Are the risks worth the rewards? I think they are. If not, get lots of insurance.

I think the risk of letting kids sit inside my cars at shows is worth the risk they might scuff the interior. The potential to win them and their parents over to Corvettes is worth it to me. I guess I'm a dinosaur, because I still believe in JFK's "ask not what your country ..." speech.

Too many today only think about what is in it for them.