Car Trailers

[Dick W.]

Re: Car Trailers

Forgot to add buy an 8.5 wide trailer, makes life a whole lot simpler getting in and out and the worry about being too close on the sides.

[Bill W.]

Re: Car Trailers

Dick , don't you have a story about proper tie down .

[Kevin G.]

Re: Car Trailers

[Bill H.]

Re: Car Trailers

Wow! I can climb the grades of the Sierra Nevada mountains, loaded trailer in tow (a tag, if anyone cares), in top gear, at the speed limit. Slowpoke in front of me? Nooooo problem. Downshift, pull out, and floor it.


Jim

Can't go the speed limit coming down from Donner Summit in a foot of snow with chains on the trailer tires.

[Kurt G.]

Re: Car Trailers

David,

there are pros and cons on both open and enclosed trailers. A lot of good advise here. You have to decide which you want, and which one you want to part with your hard earned cash for. I look back and sometimes wish I had gone with an enclosed for the security aspect. However, I only drag my cars around a couple of time a year, so why spend the cash for the enclosed. Also, an open trailer will tow behind the newer 1/2 ton trucks. I tow mine with a 2012 Silverado with the 5.3 litre engine and 3.42 rear end. I do have the trailer package including the brake controller. It does just fine, even in the Texas hill country. Definitely go with the heavy axles and bigger tires. Or, as an option you can still get LT rated 15 inch tires.

I used to to drag a 3,000 lb bass boat about 25,000 miles a year on ST tires and a single axle trailer. Never had a problem, but I do think tires were better then (1983-2001).

In the end you have to decide. If I had it all to do over again I would probably go the enclosed route. But, I've got a nice, Texas built open trailer that works great. It's a 20' with 4' dovetail. Tows straight and works for me. Plus it'll haul a 20' oak and maple tree very well.

[Jim L.]

Re: Car Trailers

Won't ever come down from Donner Summit in a foot of snow with or without chains on the trailer tires.

There. Fixed it for ya', Bill!

[Dick W.]

Re: Car Trailers

Dick , don't you have a story about proper tie down .

Which time? Maybe the one about the L/88 unloading by its self at a stop sign?

[Gary C.]

Re: Car Trailers

Bill, there are too many "good trailer" stories to recap. But here's a few. Gary....

- Museum Convention, a C1 arrived on an open trailer with a 2x4 in the front fender kicked up by a semi
- Rear tie down straps not crossed and a 1954 slid sideways. A hole was rubbed into the rear fender by the railing on an open trailer.
- C2 was covered with a tarp on an open trailer. Arrived at show and removed tarp to find the paint rubbed off in many places by the tarp.
- Lake Placid Convention, trailer brakes overheated by someone going to fast in the curvy mountains. Brakes locked up and blew trailer tires.
- Bloomington Gold, a C2 on an old open trailer with wood floor. The floor was rotten and the C2 broke through.
- Dented rear bumpers from turning too short with a less than 3 ft trailer tongue
- Galveston Convention, a suburban received a dented fender when someone backed a trailer into it
- San Antonio Convention, a goose neck trailer had an incident with a C2 being too close
- Loaned someone my enclosed trailer. It was returned with the fender trim all dented and bent up. Must've be side swapped in the parking lot.

[Terry M.]

Re: Car Trailers

I recall a C1 being unloaded on an incline at Osage Beach. It was not in gear or PARK and when the front tie down straps were released (after the rear) it rolled off the trailer, downhill, and into another C1. The spare tire of the second C1 stopped the rolling car, but with significant damage.

I don't recall the individuals involved, so I hope I am not embarrassing any one here.

[Bill W.]

Re: Car Trailers

Terry that was my trailer that a friends 56 rolled off of in Osage beach . It was a powerglide that partially came out of park and when I unlatched the the front tiedowns it clicked off the trailer and rolled about 20 feet into a full size van .(not a NCRS member). The only damage to the van was a small dent in the rear bumper bracket but crunched the 56 left rear . Funny thing is that was the second time that happened . One of the previous owners had the same thing happen but that time it rolled into traffic and got the front end knocked off . I think thats why the car only had about 10,000 miles , it was always wrecked . We later found the automatic shifter boot pulled the shifter just back far enough that it would roll when in park . Last I heard the 56 was on the west coast somewhere .

[William F.]

Re: Car Trailers

Great looking '62. Is that almond beige? Soft top fits too. What brand top if not original? I can't get mine to stay down in back.

[Terry M.]

Re: Car Trailers

Terry that was my trailer that a friends 56 rolled off of in Osage beach . It was a powerglide that partially came out of park and when I unlatched the the front tiedowns it clicked off the trailer and rolled about 20 feet into a full size van .(not a NCRS member). The only damage to the van was a small dent in the rear bumper bracket but crunched the 56 left rear . Funny thing is that was the second time that happened . One of the previous owners had the same thing happen but that time it rolled into traffic and got the front end knocked off . I think thats why the car only had about 10,000 miles , it was always wrecked . We later found the automatic shifter boot pulled the shifter just back far enough that it would roll when in park . Last I heard the 56 was on the west coast somewhere .

Thanks for the correction Bill. I actually watched it. Funny how my mind plays tricks on me after all these years. I would have sworn it hit another Corvette.

[Michael J.]

Re: Car Trailers

Dick, do you still recommend crossing the tie down straps that are put on the unsprung body/suspension parts?

[Bill W.]

Re: Car Trailers

Terry. I know , I cant remember all the things I cant remember . But I dont think I will forget that day . I had to call Dave at work and tell him I wrecked his car . If I was a crab to anyone that weekend Im sorry .

[Dick W.]

Re: Car Trailers

Dick, do you still recommend crossing the tie down straps that are put on the unsprung body/suspension parts?

Most definitely Michael. Cross them and the car cannot move in any direction. Hauled a lot of cars trucks, and heavy machinery over the years. Learned crossing the straps by having vehicles move laterally on the trailer. Never had one do that with crossed straps