securing a vette in a trailer

[Matt L.]

hello,
i am working on ordering an enclosed trailer for my 66. 20 foot v nose with driver escape side door. i have always secured it down from the chassis and frame. however it always seem to loosen up. i am thinking of getting the track system to secure it by the strapping over the tires, that way the suspension can float and not work the straps loose. does the car floating have any bad effects on the suspension or would it be act like it is driving down the road? having the car enclosed, i cant keep an eye on it unless i stop every hour or so. i really want to feel secure knowing the car is not going to be rolling around inside a trailer. any advice or experience would be be greatly appreciated. i have hauled many different cars but never with the track system.
thanks,
matt

[Bruce B.]

Re: securing a vette in a trailer

Matt,
I like securing the car in or on a trailer by using straps on the unsprung parts of the car such as over the tires or by the rear axle or the lower a-arms.
Of course it is easy on a C1 but not on a C2.
The track systems are very user friendly with different types of hold down systems available.

[Ed N.]

Re: securing a vette in a trailer

Matt, I can not speak on C1s or C2s, but I secure my C4 with over the tire low profile straps and have never had any type of movement or shifting. They are easy to place in position and it’s a clean setup. I have also gone through my rear rims on the rear and over the tire in the front. This works just as good and it eliminates any possible side shifting in the rear.

I use the horizontal e-track system and the trailer also has D-rings as well.

[Wes S.]

Re: securing a vette in a trailer

Macs Custom Tie Downs www.macscustomtiedowns.com/ has some great tire net tie downs that work very good with versa track or other tie down tracks.
Wes

[Ed N.]

Re: securing a vette in a trailer

Wes, great source. I got four of their Fleece Sleeve Protector (2" x 32"). The velcro system and foam padding is great on these. Good to place on straps when running them through a rim for low profile Corvettes.

Thanks.

Ed Nieves

[Steven B.]

Re: securing a vette in a trailer

Matt, Joel Miller on the TDB frequently, recently bought a new trailer and IIRC had the same questions about tying down and tire/wheel straps. Check with him and I am certain he will give you some good advice.

Steve

[George W.]

Re: securing a vette in a trailer

Matt,

I haul my C2 in a 24 foot Cargo Mate; strap the left front of the vette to the right front side D ring; then strap the right side tie down to left side D ring; Do the same at the rear. By criss-crossing the tie down straps in both the front and rear the vette will not move. Happy hauling.

George

[Wes S.]

Re: securing a vette in a trailer

My only concern with criss-crossing; is if one strap fails the other strap will drag the car to the side of the trailer.
Once the car moves it will continue to move around in the trailer. Macs recommends keeping the tie downs straight.
Wes

[Bill H.]

Re: securing a vette in a trailer

My only concern with criss-crossing; is if one strap fails the other strap will drag the car to the side of the trailer.
Once the car moves it will continue to move around in the trailer. Macs recommends keeping the tie downs straight.
Wes

A strap failure either way will put the car into the side,Wes. And a failure is pretty rare unless they're old, frayed. Good straps are rated at 5,000 to 10,000 (Macs) lbs.
A friend of mine had to repaint the side of his vintage Nascar last year when it walked into the side of the trailer - straight straps, still tight.

We always use straight at the front, crossed on the rear.

[Wes S.]

Re: securing a vette in a trailer

I've been using Macs tire nets its not possible to cross them.
Wes

[Tom D.]

Re: securing a vette in a trailer

I almost pulled the right rear of a newly painted Corvette into the right rear wall of my trailer. Why? One of my crossed straps came loose. It was the one that went from the left rear D-ring to the right rear of the car. I NEVER crossed them again.

[John F.]

Re: securing a vette in a trailer

Not an enclosed trailer, but the Macs tie-downs keep it from ever moving.

[Ed N.]

Re: securing a vette in a trailer

Mat this is a picture of my setup over a tire. I secure all four this way. Never had any issues.

554340_4434917670913_298865969_n.jpg

[Matt L.]

Re: securing a vette in a trailer

thanks everybody. i like your setup Ed. thats the type of trailer and set up i am looking to order.
thanks again,
matt

[Joel M.]

Re: securing a vette in a trailer

Ed, I see that you are using E-track rather than the Versa Tie system as John. Any comments upside/downside between the two? Are you using nets or straps with the rubber strap boots? ---------------John, if your trailer were enclosed do you percieve a space issue in getting the the innermost front and rear clips installed with you C1's ? ------Regards/ Joel Miller