Towing a 79

[Tweek]

I live in Pa., and need to pick up a 79 Vette in Kentucky, can I tow from the front wheels, or do I have to use a trailer? What needs to be done if I can tow from the front tires? Will it hurt the rear? Will the wheel base fit on a Uhaul trailer? I hope someone has done this before....

 

[tonyk72]

I hauled mine 500 miles with a U-haul and their auto-transport. They didn't advise use of the dolly, and I didn't really want to use it either. It cost a little more using the transport, but I have no regrets. I also felt my car was "safer" up on that thing. And yes, it fit no problems...

 

[Tweek]

Did you have any troubles gettin the car on, or up the ramps

 

[78SilvAnniv]

U-Haul car hauler

We used the above item to transport the 78 from CA to WA and then again from WA to GA.
The vette loaded very easily and the trailers have a drop down fender-well on the driver side for access to the trailered car's door. (for exiting after parking on the trailer and being able to have the windows up)
As far as loading or unloading...I drove it up and off with Kenny spotting me and pointing for tire direction. Nothing scraped.
Heidi

 

[Tweek]

Thank you for the answers, the guy at Uhaul couldn't even answer them about his own product. I told him I would call him back after I found out, he asked where I was going to get that info at, wait till I tell him!!!!!

Ron

I'm off to Kentucky

 

[tonyk72]

kinda...but my 'vette's a 4spd and I was having a little trouble trying to figure out how much gas to give it and how much I should let off the clutch (it's been a while since I drove a stick). The incline to get up is a little steep & with that long hood...it feels like your about to launch into outer-space.
It took me a few tries to get up, but I did it safely.

also , watch how you open your door when up on the ramps! You'll hit the wheel wells on the transport if your not careful!

 

[wwilkins]

I towed a BMW 325 on one of those tow dollies and ended up scraping all kinds of things when it went over bumps. When the front goes up the back goes down. The repair bills were a lot more than the extra cost for the trailer would have been.

Bill

 

[*89x2*]

You could always have ONE tow YOU

 

[*89x2*]

Be careful w/ rental unit places... My personal experiences w/ U Haul prompt me to say - MAKE SURE they have the trailer in stock as they claimed to have one for me (even after a 350 dollar deposit) and whadda ya know - Friday night - no trailer
Had to go across town to get one and so on, so forth...
One nice feature about U haul tailers is, the drivers fender folds down and away to allow more door clearance
Good luck

 

[Paul Borowski]

I have used those U-Haul autotransports a few times and they are not bad, just very, very heavy. My open trailer is 1800lbs, those dinosaurs are like 3400lbs with the hitch lift/pulse brake set-up. Towed my '68 140mi on one with my '86 Ford Ranger(yes, I did say Ranger). Starting out was'nt a problem, braking was a much different story:crazy

 

[majortom75]

I just towed my '76 from Mass to NY with one of the UHaul auto transports. The car will definitely fit. I also recommend you are careful when you open the door of the car to avoid slamming into the transports wheel wells. My Blazer doesn't have the towing capacity to haul the transport & car so I rented a truck too. It worked out pretty well.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

It looks like...

...not all car haulers are created equal!

Be sure to specify that you want a trailer whose driver fender guard FOLDS DOWN.
Heidi

 

[MLTexas]

When I had mine towed the guy had a neat trick of a couple 2 x 12's nailed together (4 1/2 ft long) as you would make a step and after the front got on the trailer we put the steps in front of the rear wheels against the trailer so the rear would step up gradually along with the front so nothing scraped. Slick Trick!!! Gave a few extra inches of clearance.


Later,

Matt

 

[Dave L.]

Tweek - Whats up? Bringing another vette home to work on?

Dave

 

[Paul Borowski]

When I had mine towed the guy had a neat trick of a couple 2 x 12's nailed together (4 1/2 ft long) as you would make a step and after the front got on the trailer we put the steps in front of the rear wheels against the trailer so the rear would step up gradually along with the front so nothing scraped. Slick Trick!!! Gave a few extra inches of clearance.


Later,

Matt

Matt, you keep showing up with that pic:BOW
I know I've said it before, but I love that car with it's combo!!!

 

[Tweek]

Thanks agian for all the tips and tricks, this wiil be an adventure. I'm hoping this trailer isn't one of those heavy things, my half ton chevy will bog down on those mountains near Bedford Pa. Burglar, yup more work, has a nasty 350 in my father in law built, he always talked about it. I have yet to see the car, it was his, he passed away and gave it to my wife. I have seen pictures of his purple creation, I say that because he loved those customized Vettes from the sixties and seventies, and lots of loud horsepower. I'm going to have to build a larger garage

Ron

 

[Tweek]

I'm back, what a ride! I picked this 79 up and brought it home, just looking around, I found some interesting things. It has a dual cat system with headers, the tranny crossmember has 2 holes for the pipes to go through, and the car is a automatic, is this normal? My 80 does not have this, did someone change the crossmember? Are the interchangealbe? The motor is very strong in this car, It has the Edlebrock preformer RPM manifold, and matching carb, and a real lopey cam. Nice aftermarket Accel distributor/ ignition goodies, but need alot of work. The interior is shot, brakes barely work, and its been tinkered with just about everywhere I have looked. What do ya do with a car like this, the wife would love to fix it up because of her father, but it needs sooo much to be a good driver. Any suggestioons?

 

[tonyk72]

If the wife supports ya, then 1/2 the battles done!

Have some fun with it, take your time... You probably have run the #'s through your head already and know that it may not be economically wise to get this the way you'd like it...
But if you have the room to store it, ...work on it when you get the extra time or $$ to play with it...

 

[Grizzly]

U Haul car trailers

Do youself a favor and rent a truck with the trailer unless you have a "real" tow vehicle. The brakes are the problem. Had the same problem with trailer not being available. They usually only have one and if the last jerk doesn't return it on time, you're stuck.

Becareful of the fenders. Don't think Vettes are probem, but did some damage to my Impala when it bounced on the suspension.

 

[intex99]

Heah Tweek,
Kemah huh!!I'm just up the street in Houston. Used to go to Maribels along time ago with all the wharf rats.
Sounds like you got yourself alittle project there as I did with my 80.If you need some small parts and maybe some bigger parts there is a guy in Alvin who might be able to help you out.He used to deal with alot of C3s but think hes going into C4s now but give him a holler.His email is vetteparts2000@aol.com and his name is William.If he doesn't have the part he might be able to find it for ya easy enough.
Maybe I'll see ya cruizing down your way soon as thats a nice little Sunday drive down and eat some lunch next to the bridge!
Tim