Trailer Novice

[Clark K.]

I have finally decided that I must begin trailering my 1965 Sting Ray to NCRS meets.

What I need is your advice. My tow vehicle is a 2004 GMC Envoy with the base twin cam straight six. The best that I can determine from the Envoy's manual is that it will not tow anything as heavy as an enclosed trailer with a Sting Ray. So, I will have to settle for an aluminum open trailer. I saw one that had a solid floor and a front piece that protected the car, even though it was an "open" trailer. Will a 16' open trailer be what I need? Anyone in the North Texas area have one for sale? I have ready cash! -Clark

[Valeria H.]

Re: Trailer Novice

Interesting question as I am thinking about trailering my 60 to Carlisle next year for it's 50th birthday. I have a (You are going to laugh - Lexus SUV Rx 330) LOL. What do you recommend?
Valeria

[Michael L.]

Re: Trailer Novice

Hi Guys
One very important thing to think about It is not as important that you
have the power to tow as much as you have the mass and weight in your tow vehicle to stop your trailer. Small SUV do NOT have the mass to stop
Not to mention all the other heavy duty systems needed for the added stress
Most half ton SUV are built as heavy passenger vehicles not as tow vehicles This is the reason you will see most trailers at a regional being towed by a three quarter ton Diesel trucks. You should not have a problem towing an open trailer with a probably equipped Full size SUV ' GMC Yukon
Yukon XL or Tahoe or Suburban ' The longer wheel base is MUCH better
in preventing "the tail wagging the dog " trailer wiping
Remember you MUST have electric trailer brakes
Take your time and learn what you are doing befor you get started
it could save your life

[Dave S.]

Re: Trailer Novice

I have finally decided that I must begin trailering my 1965 Sting Ray to NCRS meets.

What I need is your advice. My tow vehicle is a 2004 GMC Envoy with the base twin cam straight six. The best that I can determine from the Envoy's manual is that it will not tow anything as heavy as an enclosed trailer with a Sting Ray. So, I will have to settle for an aluminum open trailer. I saw one that had a solid floor and a front piece that protected the car, even though it was an "open" trailer. Will a 16' open trailer be what I need? Anyone in the North Texas area have one for sale? I have ready cash! -Clark

Clark,
Back in 2001 I was faced with the undersize tow vehicle dilema. I had a 4.7 liter Jeep Grand Cherokee and didn't want to upgrade for the sake of one or two trailer trips per year. I bought a Trailex enclosed trailer and have been towing my Corvettes all over the east coast and beyond since then. It is 1600 lbs and balanced perfectly. Better yet I could get more than my original investment back in resale. Might be an option for you.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Trailer Novice

I check my trailor brakes often and have found one wheel not working because of a broken wire many times. The trailor brakes are not self adjusting and need to be adjusted often. I tow with a Dodge one ton with dual rear wheels and a fifth wheel enclosed trailor. On my way home from Hilton Head with no warning on the interstsate I came over a hill to find all the cars on the road stoped. I was running 65 and locked the brakes on the truck and trailor and just got stoped in time. Any less stoping power and I would have been in a wreck. I have towed with lots of cars and trucks and the big truck is much safer no matter how careful you are.

[Don H.]

Re: Trailer Novice

I have towed my open trailer a fair amount using a half ton (short bed) truck with a small V-8. It is a struggle to maintain interstate speeds when there are hills. Fortunately I have never had an emergency stop with it. In September I borrowed a buddy's enclosed trailer for a 1000 mile round trip. I had towed it around this area with my truck but never very far and opted to borrow his truck too (he had my '65 in exchange). He has a half ton truck, four wheel drive (much heavier) with a big V-8. It was the easiest tow I have ever done and now firmly believe you need the right equipment for the job. Brakes are a MUST with any car trailer and an anti-sway if you have a smaller tow vehicle. Good luck, Don H.

[Terry M.]

Re: Trailer Novice

I have attended many NCRS meets, and often spent some time in the unloading area. It is easy to tell those who have towed with a good (read large) rig. They arrive more relaxed and in a far better mood than those with marginal equipment. One can also spot those who maintain their equipment properly -- they listen to the stories of blown tires, locked up bearings, and the terror of being passed by 18-wheelers. All you have to answer is -- do you want the trip to be fun, or work?

I towed a fair amount with both open and enclosed trailers. I used a 1978 Suburban with 454 and TH400. It was a half-ton (last year one could get that engine in that chassis) with trailer towing package. Sounds good, right? Well whoever ordered it new speced a 3:07 rear. It towed OK on the flat, but a little hill and it was dead meat. We won't talk about the relationship with fuel, but it had a 42-galon tank for a reason. I got the "friend of OPEC award" at every meet I attended. I am convinced it would have done better on fuel with a 3:73, but I never got around to changing it.

Give a lot of thought to your equipment. A small change can make a big difference in your comfort level, and thus your entire experience.

[Stephen L.]

Re: Trailer Novice

Towing with a light duty truck or SUV..... Probably can pull with some strain (transmission heating comes to mind), but catch some wind just right at 60 mph, from an 18 wheeler, and you are in for one heck of a ride, sway bars or not!!!!! I wouldn't risk it. Panic stopping is another issue. Most trailer brake systems require an action (towing vehicle braking signal) before they respond. Many have a "ramp" braking signal which means there is an additional time span before full brake capability on the trailer. So for a short period of time the trailer can be pushing the tow vehicle which can cause the tow vehicle to become unstable as in jack-knife.....

[Joel T.]

Re: Trailer Novice

Depending upon your need for a truck, I would go with something with a diesel engine... I've had Fords and Dodges.. both are good. My current tow vehicle is a Dodge 3500 (dually) with the Cummins engine and the 6 speed automatic.. it is probably the best tow vehicle I have ever owned... I use it to tow a fifth wheel RV... towing an enclosed trailer with a Corvette is child's play for this puppy...

The diesels tend to hold their value over time (but cost more up front).. and typically come with the hitch and that all important trailer wiring harness...

Have fun!

Joel

[Scott S.]

Re: Trailer Novice

Valeria, NCRS honors the 50th anniversary cars at every National Convention. A very nice engraved glass plaque is given to each owner of a 1960 on display. We send a personal invitation to every NCRS member who has had their car judged in the past. The judging is not a prerequisite to have your car on display. Any 1960 is eligable Race, Drag, Custom, Barn find or restored. If you need more information, please give me a call.
Scott Sinclair
905-857-1463

[Harmon C.]

Re: Trailer Novice

Depending upon your need for a truck, I would go with something with a diesel engine... I've had Fords and Dodges.. both are good. My current tow vehicle is a Dodge 3500 (dually) with the Cummins engine and the 6 speed automatic.. it is probably the best tow vehicle I have ever owned... I use it to tow a fifth wheel RV... towing an enclosed trailer with a Corvette is child's play for this puppy...

The diesels tend to hold their value over time (but cost more up front).. and typically come with the hitch and that all important trailer wiring harness...

Have fun!

Joel

I agree!!!
This is the same truck I tow with and pass semi's going uphill and never have any sway. I get 11-12MPG and tow at the leagl limit with a fith wheel enclosed trailor. As far as tires on the trailor if you pick up a nail as soon as the presure gets low they blow. I had a new tire with 75 miles on it blow out as speed and had no sway. On the way home from Hilton Head I towed 700 miles the second day to get home.

[Dick W.]

Re: Trailer Novice

Lyle, the first thing you do is throw the trailer special tires in the junk pile. I always bought used LT tires for my trailers. Never put enough miles to wear a new set out before they got too much age on them.

[Jim L.]

Re: Trailer Novice

Depending upon your need for a truck, I would go with something with a diesel engine... I've had Fords and Dodges.. both are good. My current tow vehicle is a Dodge 3500 (dually) with the Cummins engine and the 6 speed automatic..

We also tow with a Dodge/Cummins but with a 6 speed manual. This, after towing for a couple of years with an underpowered SUV.

It's a night and day difference.

Underpowered SUV: 2nd gear, engine at redline, 45 mph climbing the grade to get to our home in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Car on open trailer, about 4400 lbs.

Dodge/Cummins: 6th gear, engine at 1700 RPM, 57 MPH on the same grade. Want to pass a slowpoke? Down shift to 5th and stand on it. Oh, and this is with our car in an enclosed trailer, loaded weight 7500 lbs.

With no trailer in tow, the Dodge can get around 21 MPG.... about the same as our underpowered SUV used to get.

Towing with the right equipment makes all the difference in the world.

Jim

[John F.]

Re: Trailer Novice

Clark, I use an open 20' aluminum trailer to tow my 62. It has electric brakes and the ramps (stack) mount on the front and act as the stone guard. It weighs 1300 lbs. I tow it with a 2008 Tundra double-cab with a 4.7 V-8 and 5 speed automatic trans. It cruised just fine at 65-70mph and got 12-14 mpg. Without a trailer it gets 18+. Heed all the above advice about weight, spacing, braking, proper tie-down, etc. Know your limits and expect the unexpected. I have towed from Harlingen, TX to just South of Chicago. Think SAFETY! See "Towing/Tie-down of a 62 vette thread".

John

[Steven C.]

Re: Trailer Novice

Depending upon your need for a truck, I would go with something with a diesel engine... I've had Fords and Dodges.. both are good. My current tow vehicle is a Dodge 3500 (dually) with the Cummins engine and the 6 speed automatic.. it is probably the best tow vehicle I have ever owned... I use it to tow a fifth wheel RV... towing an enclosed trailer with a Corvette is child's play for this puppy...

The diesels tend to hold their value over time (but cost more up front).. and typically come with the hitch and that all important trailer wiring harness...

Have fun!

Joel

Joel, I agree. A diesel is the only way to go, period. I have an F350 Dually 4WD 7.3 Litre Turbo Diesel. It handles anything you throw at it and blows by the big rigs on hills. 11MPG highway pulling 7500lbs+.