1st Time Trailering Questions

[Norm C.]

I read the acrchives for trailering with an enclosed trailer,,, excellent info, ie load distribution, tie downs, which type/brands of trailers, venting an some of the tricks when loading or tieing down etc.

One of the comments was some like to leave brake off and out of gear, others want brake.... but I didn't see what the trade offs or what the the pro & cons actually are.???? Secondly, didn't see if many left the car cover on while trailering?,,, again with a fully enclosed trailer??

Thanks in advance for those who know!!

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1st Time Trailering Questions

I have towed automatics in park and four speeds in reverse and have seen no problems in thousands of miles. I have never used the parking brake in the trailor. My tiedowns are wheel bonnets on all four tires which have three anchors on each wheel. I have a D-Ring on one side of each tire a roller on the other side and another D-Ring about 18''s away so the ratchet sets flat on the floor.

[Keith B.]

Re: 1st Time Trailering Questions

I have always used a car cover when trailering. I would not recommend on any car being trailered on a standard open trailer because the wind can cause the cover to flutter and damage the paint. On the other hand the enclosed trailers can sometimes sit for a long time and insects can be hidden (dead) in the trailer and once there is movement debris can come down on the car. I have been surprised to see what is sitting on the cover once we stopped (my trailer is stored inside year round). Practice a little with the car in the trailer on the highway under controlled conditions. I have had situations where I had borrowed a trailer (before I bought my own) and started off to a show and got the trailer in trouble because I did not have the weight distributed properly. I use standard front and back straps but have always wondered if the tire mounts make better sense. Good luck and most of all be careful.

[Warren F.]

Re: 1st Time Trailering Questions

I have always tied car down with straps and left in neutral with no parking brake on. Have had no problems in many years and many miles of towing.

[Gene M.]

Re: 1st Time Trailering Questions

Norm,
I would suggest that you get the car positioned in the trailer to achieve approximately 600 pounds tongue weight on the truck. I bolted down wheel stops (curved to shape of tire) to position my Vette in the trailer so it always is in same spot.

I can run the front tie downs (thru A-arms) so the tires lock up against the tire stops. I "X" the straps in the rear fastened around the lower shock mounts. Cover on car, ya never know what can drop down maybe a loose trailer screw from somewhere......

Play with the electric brakes with car loaded to find where you like it. Remember to check override button/lever too.

[Mike M.]

Re: 1st Time Trailering Questions

Look for a post by Art Armstrong on how to set up and tie down your car. For me its the only way.

[Art A.]

Re: 1st Time Trailering Questions

Norm,
I would suggest that you get the car positioned in the trailer to achieve approximately 600 pounds tongue weight on the truck. I bolted down wheel stops (curved to shape of tire) to position my Vette in the trailer so it always is in same spot.

I can run the front tie downs (thru A-arms) so the tires lock up against the tire stops. I "X" the straps in the rear fastened around the lower shock mounts. Cover on car, ya never know what can drop down maybe a loose trailer screw from somewhere......

Play with the electric brakes with car loaded to find where you like it. Remember to check override button/lever too.

Gene, the method that I use for chocking is the Yellow plastic ones. Since I trailer different vehicles, Solstice, Envoy and 65 Corvette, I have put magic marker marks on the floor for each vehicle. After the location is found, just outline the chock with the MM and label the location for each vehicle.
I screw the plastic chocks to the floor with drywall screws which can be changed in just a few minuets.

If you do not leave the vehicle in gear, which I think is strictly a personal preference thing, or with the PB on, don't forget to set one of them when BEFORE undoing the cars tie downs..........................don't ask me how I know this!!

[Terry M.]

Re: 1st Time Trailering Questions

If you do not leave the vehicle in gear, which I think is strictly a personal preference thing, or with the PB on, don't forget to set one of them when BEFORE undoing the cars tie downs..........................don't ask me how I know this!!

I recall an incident at the Regional at Osage Beach, MO, (and THAT was a long, long ago meet) which proved the value of this advice. Two Corvettes received some body damage when one rolled off a trailer and down the judging field into another Corvette. The root cause was towing out of gear and without the parking brake on, and the failure to set either restraint while unhooking the tow straps.

After witnessing that incident I decided to tow in gear and with the parking brake on. I also disconnect the front tie-downs last, and test the car for stability before disconnecting the last tie-down.

It was very fortunate that no one was hurt or worse in the incident above.

[Norm C.]

1st Time Trailering Questions

Thanks to all for your help.. especially Art and Terry for the extra tudoring. Will report back how it went after Tahoe.

[Dave B.]

Re: 1st Time Trailering Questions

I use conventional straps on the A arms in the front. However, for me in the rear on mid years the only way to go is with "T" hooks placed in the holes the General placed there for transport when built. I have bent to many suspension members on mid years with straps in the rear.

http://www.autohaulersupply.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=5020

Normally, I will install the hooks when the car is on the ramp and attach the straps. I then drive the car into the trailer with the straps trailing the car. I then loop the straps through the rachet, hook rachet to d ring, tighten, and I am good to go. No more bent suspension members and I do not have to become houdini under the car.

Hope this helps.

[Peter G.]

Re: 1st Time Trailering Questions

I think a area many people miss is to constantly look at the condition of your tie down straps. If you use them thru A-arms, A-arms can have sharp edges on them and cut into the webbing. Oil or grease can also weaken the strength of the webbing over time.

We did have a mishap last year in our Chapter coming back from St. Louis where two C1s were parked in front of each other in a enclosed trailer. A tie down strap broke and the two Duntov cars played bumper cars for many many miles.

I put my four speed car in reverse with the parking brake on. I tie the car down at the front and rear to D-rings in the floor with a crisscross pattern to avoid the car jumping sideways. I check the car on a trip the first 100 miles and then after every fuel stop and had never had the car move a inch!

Cover, yes I do use one while transporting. I didnt' the first time using a new trailer and was amazed at the dust and debris that was on the hood and top of the car when I arrived.

Happy trailering!

[Norm C.]

Last Question for 1st Time Trailering Questions

Thought I would have access to a scale,,, but its broken. For the early C3 guys trailering,,,, For a 20ft trailer it would seem that the position for the car is for the rear wheels to be just forward of the "beaver tail"

Any suggestions short of weighing it? Thanks in advance for your help!

[Patrick H.]

Re: Last Question for 1st Time Trailering Questions

Thought I would have access to a scale,,, but its broken. For the early C3 guys trailering,,,, For a 20ft trailer it would seem that the position for the car is for the rear wheels to be just forward of the "beaver tail"

Any suggestions short of weighing it? Thanks in advance for your help!

Do you mean you're backing it in?
I've never trailered a C3 like that, nor my C6. And yes, I've tried but not been successful.

Or by "beaver tail" do you mean bevel on the load floor ahead of the rear door? If so, then I'd agree.

I generally drive them right in, and you should be able to "see" when it's balanced by how the trailer shifts. Or, your friend standing outside can tell.

Patrick

[Art A.]

Re: Last Question for 1st Time Trailering Questions

I don't know if you have a single or a double axle trailer, but either way the car should be positioned about centered over the trailer axle(s). I say about, because it depends on how much "stuff" you have up front and how long the trailer tongue is. If you have no stuff up front, then the car should probably be a little forward of the center of the axle(s).
The balance will also depend on what kind of tow vehicle you have. I tow with a 38 foot class A diesel motor home so the weight distribution is not nearly as critical as if you were towing with a smaller vehicle.

I would suggest that you position the car in the trailer as suggested above and take the rig for a test run, If the trailer doesn't sway, at speed, then you are probable going to be OK. I would also suggest that you get it weighed at the earliest opportunity.

[Dick W.]

Re: 1st Time Trailering Questions

The rule of thumb has always been 10% of the total trailer weight on the tongue