Tow Hitch on 1985

[RedHookGal]

Ok, I already know that a tow hitch on a Corvette is goofy beyond words.

But, my move west is making me consider a hitch to haul a small Uhaul trailer rather than ship everythign by UPS to the west coast, which will cost about the same amount as doing the trailer and the tow hitch.

So, does anyone have experience with the Class 1 hitch that they offer? How does the Vette do when towing, too? I am thinking of putting the 4x8 trailer on it, with not too much stuff, mostly clothes, books, and my cds, but I will be going over the Rocky Mountains in Montana and Idaho.

Thanks,
Kathy

 

[wallyknoch]

I have a hitch on my Vette and towed several different trailers and the Vette has enough power to handle the job, but do you really want to drag a trailer 3000 miles? I would ship the stuff that I couldn`t get in the Vette and enjoy the ride.

 

[RedHookGal]

Well, the thing is that I am meeting up with my new GF in Nebraska, and she is going to have her pickup and a trailer filled with her stuff, too.

So on all the fun roads in Wyoming and Montana I am going to have to go slow anyway (or at least slower than I would go on my own) - I am thinking, why not just keep everything with me locked in the back rather than risk it to the geniuses of UPS or FedEx.

And after years of driving tractor-tralier anyway, I am not sure I can do a long drive in just a short little car! Need the length to feel comfortable.

 

[wallyknoch]

Go ahead and do it then as long as you have the time, but remember it will be tough to pass anything. However a pickup truck in a short convoy {Two pieces} might be interesting booging across the country. Have fun!

 

[c4cruiser]

The owner's manual does not recommend towing a trailer of any sort but there are some out there that do tow small trailers. Reese makes a Vette-specific hitch for a little over $100 that will bolt in but it's limited to 500 lbs total weight and something like 50 lbs tounge weight. That would work for very small utility trailers or something like towing a small boat or personal watercraft or dirtbikes. Autocrossers will tow small trailers so they can carry their race tires and some tools.

Corvette load capacity limits are in the 400 lb range which includes driver, passenger and cargo. Adding trailer tounge weight reduces what you can safely carry in the car.

A 4x8 trailer is probably way beyond the design limits of the Corvette frame. The hitch will bolt to not oly the frame, but also to the rear crossmember and that is aluminum and not designed for towing.

Have you thought of renting a small truck and a car trailer? U-Haul has some small trucks with lots of carrying capacity and the ability to haul a car on a trailer. That wold save wear and tear on the Vette and still give you plenty of room for your stuff.

 

[Ken]

Personally, I wouldn't attempt it Kathy.

 

[Blade]

Try putting the cart before the horse:

Rent a U-Haul Truck and car carrier.

 

[RedHookGal]

Well, that was one idea not to go anywhere! :duh

I will just go back to what I was thinking originally, which was to drive and ship the bit of stuff I have. The cost of a trailer and a truck from here is way too much, over $2200, which is money that I would rather put into the car than just throw away for a one-time rental. $2200 into the Vette is a significant amount of TLC!

Once again, good advice here from everyone. Thank you all for the help in rejecting this bright idea!