Scraping bottom...

[Skant]

My previous vehicle was a huge 1988 K-5 Blazer Custom Deluxe that could climb over double height curbs with ease. And here I am moved into a very low ground clearance Corvette LT4 CE... I've scraped the bottom a few times already. And brought it down a little too hard off of speed bumps so it contacted my frame.

I'm watching for these hazards, but having never owned a low vehicle before, methinks my technique needs some practice. I've scraped the bottom even when I was going very slow and trying very hard not to.

So my first question is... is it even possible to keep from scraping the bottom sometimes? It mostly seems to hit on the little black... 'skirt'... under the front bumper which seems to be designed to fold back. Should I expect the occassional scrape and it's not a big deal?

Second... getting over the more aggressive speedbumps seems to be quite difficult. I can just baby it up to the apex of the bump by feathering the clutch, but it accelates enough rolling down the bump that it contacts when it hits bottom if I can't hit the brake fast enough... which seems to be virtually impossible.

Is this normal stuff that just happens? Or am I doing it wrong?

My Corvette seems like it's maybe even a little lower than most vettes. I'm not sure.
- Skant

 

[Vettelt193]

it is all about the angles... if you attack bumps etc at an angle, you should hit far fewer things with the bottom of your 'Vette

 

[JohnnyC]

Yup, thats what i do, best to go SLOW, and get one tire over, then the other over the speed bump... then straighten out for the back tires. Driveways are a trouble spot too... My plastic skirt is pretty beaten up. Well used i would say.

I also take it easy on hills and dips. There is a HUGE dip by my house at an intersetion... first time i went down it... ~45 mph... and scraaaape! I have since learned to go 30-35 thru there. I dont care who is behind me... i slow down. I eventually catch them on the straight away

Avoid potholes too.... I have found I have become WAY more observant of these things since getting my Corvette. Once you realize what you can tolerate as far as bumps, you'll be driving fine.

John

 

[Skant]

Sounds like the occassional scrape is just going to happen. There are some driveways around here that it scrapes a bit regardless of attacking it at a 45 angle and dead slow.

I knew about taking driveways at angles. But I hadn't thought to apply it to speed bumps. I guess that would help keep it from accelerating down the other side so much.

Thanks for the tip!

- Skant

 

[lt4 gs]

My Corvette seems like it's maybe even a little lower than most vettes. I'm not sure.
- Skant

well bring it over............ and let's check and see...........btw, it's snowing here and a little slippery.........:crazy :crazy :crazy :crazy :crazy