Towing?

[glazounov]

OK - I have a multi-part question for all of the experts out there:

I am moving 2000+ miles to Montana, and am wondering if I will have problems trailering my C-4 convertible and pulling it with my 93 Toyota Camry (1.6 liter 4-cylinder). I am planning on putting on a temporary trailer hitch and driving it the 2000 or so miles- will this overstress my old Camry (it has regular suspension, etc. and 175,000 miles - runs great, but has never towed ANYTHING), or is the C-4 light enough that I can get it over a few mountain passes?

Next part of the question: Where can I get the plastic sheet material that they use when shipping new cars? I’m talking about the stuff they use to cover the hood, trunk, etc. to protect from rock chips, bugs, and other road junk. I really don’t want to tow my C-4 with the standard car cover because I think that the flapping caused by the wind will damage the finish. ... or is there a better solution?

Any ideas? THANKS!

 

[74bigblock]

OK - I have a multi-part question for all of the experts out there:

I am moving 2000+ miles to Montana, and am wondering if I will have problems trailering my C-4 convertible and pulling it with my 93 Toyota Camry (1.6 liter 4-cylinder). I am planning on putting on a temporary trailer hitch and driving it the 2000 or so miles- will this overstress my old Camry (it has regular suspension, etc. and 175,000 miles - runs great, but has never towed ANYTHING), or is the C-4 light enough that I can get it over a few mountain passes?

Next part of the question: Where can I get the plastic sheet material that they use when shipping new cars? I’m talking about the stuff they use to cover the hood, trunk, etc. to protect from rock chips, bugs, and other road junk. I really don’t want to tow my C-4 with the standard car cover because I think that the flapping caused by the wind will damage the finish. ... or is there a better solution?

Any ideas? THANKS!

I would say that you should find an alternate method for getting your ride out to your new home. The motor isn't strong enough to pull a 5-6000lb load that far. Your brakes aren't strong enough to stop that load. The trailer will push your car into the person infront of you the first chance it gets. You really need something designed for towing to pull that much weight. If it was a 600lb jet ski... no prob, but this is a 3500lb vette, and a 2000lb trailer.


For the price of a temp hitch, and the trailer rental, you could pay 3/4 of the cost to professionally transport. I know the added expense sucks, but it's better than trashing both your cars to try and save an extra $300

There is always saran wrap for your other issue... should you tow it yourself... but I really stress you to not do so.

 

[c4cruiser]

This is a joke, right?? :confused

First, the weight of the Corvette and a suitable trailer will weigh (at the very least) a TON more than your Toyota! Going beyond what 74bigblock said, you would be lucky to tow the car on a trailer across town much less halfway across the country. You would probably be stopped by the state police before you got very far at all.

Second, driving over the Continental Divide will take you to about 7500-8000 feet in altitude and that will be a strain on the Toyota by itself espcially if the car is loaded with luggage and such.

For this type of trip, I would not consider anything less than a 3/4 ton pickup with a Class 4 hitch (10,000 lb towing capacity), anti-sway bars, fresh brakes and all new fluids, and a dual axle trailer (2-3500 lb capacity axles with brakes) to tow the car.

Check into rental places like U-Haul or Ryder to rent a truck and trailer. Be advised that some companies don't like renting open trailers for hauling Corvettes because of issues with low clearances when driving up the ramps. A one-way rental is typical but check prices before signing a rental agreement.

As far as protection for the nose, Saran Wrap works as good as anything. Just make sure that the front of the car is clean and dry before wrapping the nose up. Installing the car cover on is not a good idea as the cover will flap around from the wind generated by the speed. It would wear the paint down at any sharp corner or where the cover moves around.

 

[glazounov]

Thanks!

Thanks - that's exactly what I suspected ... which is why I asked!

 

[glazounov]

No Joke.

This is a joke, right?? :confused


No, it's NOT a joke. When I don't have all the info I need on a topic, I like to ask for help. Isn't that why the forum exists? ... but thanks for your answer anyway, I appreciate your help.

By the way, I have a Doctorate in MY particular field, but when someone asks ME an honest technical question, I don't ridicule them.

Thanks for your time!

 

[JoeMackin]

This is a joke, right?? :confused


No, it's NOT a joke. When I don't have all the info I need on a topic, I like to ask for help. Isn't that why the forum exists? ... but thanks for your answer anyway, I appreciate your help.

By the way, I have a Doctorate in MY particular field, but when someone asks ME an honest technical question, I don't ridicule them.

Thanks for your time!

I think that is kind of a touchy response, dont you...... doctor?

 

[c4cruiser]

I didn't mean to be sarcastic or funny in my post and if came off that way , I apologize, but the very idea of towing a 3200 lb Vette on a trailer that can weigh up to 1500 lbs behind a 2100 lb compact car is not what I consider to be a even remotely serious endeavor.

I don't have a Doctorate in any field (just a simple BA degree) , but I do have 30 plus years of Corvette ownership and a number of years experience in trailer towing and that level of experience and knowledge is enough to know that this avenue should not be seriously considered.

What you originally asked about doing was, IMHO, dangerous at the very least. I'm glad to see that you mentioned in your other post that you have decided on transporting your Vette.