Towing a C-5

[Barrier]

Does anybody know if a C-5 can be towed on a Two Wheel up Tow Dolly? This would be an automatic model.
I am pretty sure it cannot be towed with the rear wheels up due to front spoiler problems, but will the front wheels up Auto Trans in neutral be OK?
Barrier

 

[silver98]

Not asure, but if you can flatbed it you're safe

 

[jrose7004]

I always call for a rollback!

 

[DRTH VTR]

I did not think that you should tow an automatic placed in neutral. I do not know why, but I would think that there are still lots of moving parts in an automatic, even in neutral.

 

[Grizzly]

Always heard that any auto should be towed with rear wheels off the ground or flatbedded. Lots of things still turn in the transmission and there is no lubrication if the engine isn't running the front pump.

 

[lyle nelson]

From everything I've ever read, heard, etc., only flat bed a vette. And you have to be careful they know what they are doing. You know they have to die the car down. I've seen/heard stories about these guys find the a-arms on the front and rear suspension arms a nice place to wrap their chains/straps. And when they crank them down, they can actually bend those suspension points.

 

[Barrier]

I am actually looking for two uses. First to pick up a corvette if I find one in another state. Second to tow the Corvette behind my Motorhome.

How about two wheel dolly with the rear wheels on the dolly,front wheels on the ground? Don't know if the front spoilers will clear. Anybody have any experince with that?

 

[c4cruiser]

Raising the rear up on a two-wheel dolly will drop the nose to the point where it could scrape on the ground and the air dam would most likely drag on the pavement. Never tow a RWD automatic car with a dolly as the rear wheels will turn components in the tranny and if the (engine-driven) front pump is not working, the ATF will heat up and will quickly cause internal failures. Standard driveline RWD cars can be towed with the drive shaft disconnected, but that's not doable on a C5.

Even the smaller motorhomes should be easily capable of towing an open trailer with the car on it. Look for a 16' or 18' open trailer with dual 3500lb axles and brakes. Even a steel trailer and the car should not weigh much more than 5000lbs. A good Class 3 hitch and antisway bars on the trailer tongue will give you an easily towed platform.

You should be able to find new open trailers in the $2000 range. A local builder (Olympic Trailers in Olympia WA) has versions for $1990. Usually you can choose between a open deck or full deck trailer for that price. Open decks are good because with the car up on it and the trailer supported with jack stands you have a "lift" to work under the car. A full-deck trailer is good if you need to haul bulky items on occasion.

And never tie a car down on a trailer using only the frame or suspension components. Use straps that are designed to go over the tires. You can use these straps on the front tires and then use straps on the back that tie the frame to the opposite corners of the deck but only tight enough to keep the car from moving forward or backwards. Ideally, use tire straps at all four corners.

 

[firstgear]

I am actually looking for two uses. First to pick up a corvette if I find one in another state. Second to tow the Corvette behind my Motorhome.

How about two wheel dolly with the rear wheels on the dolly,front wheels on the ground? Don't know if the front spoilers will clear. Anybody have any experince with that?

you should buy yourself a nice aluminum 16' trailer....you can put the car up on it, out of the way and not worry about anything...could even get a winch added and then drag the car up the ramps...shop around and you can find one all decked out like this for about $5200...then you never have to worry....ramps also serve as a rock shield in the stow away position on the front of the trailer....trailer weighs 1,000 pounds