OzyC4

I'm due to take possession of my 88 C4 this week and have started thinking about enjoying it this Summer. I plan on taking one of my vintage motorbikes to a couple of rallies this Summer, and as I usually trailer my bikes I'm wondering if anyone has fitted a towbar to their Corvette.
Is it possible and if so, how easy is it?

crowz

There are trailer hitches out there for the c4.

This one should handle what your wanting to do.

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1984-1996.html

OzyC4

I'm afraid i can't find one at that website....plenty of swaybars though.

crowz

Took me straight to the hitch when I clicked the link just now.

Corvette Trailer Hitch, Class 1, 1984-1996

Part #:

25-162451-1

$315.29 ea.


Fitment:

1984 thru 1996

c4cruiser

For whatever reason. when you copy/paste a specific webpage link from the Ecklers website you get the main page. It's a PITA to navigate thru their website! The hitch part number that I found is 25-162451-1 and lists for $315 plus shipping and handling.

I found another hitch here It's a Curt brand hitch and sells for around $224. Curt is a good hitch brand and is made in the US.

One caution about towing with a C4 (or any Corvette) is that there is no tow weight information provided by GM. The total cargo weight for a C4 is something like 450 lbs. which includes driver and passenger and any cargo that totals that weight. Do you know what the weight of your bike is? Weight of a trailer you may use?

You would need to carefully balance the trailer cargo so that there is no more than 100 lbs. of tongue weight. That's light enough that the trailer tongue won't lower the rear of the car too much. Also, plan on doing wiring for the trailer lights. Remove a left-hand and right-hand tail lamp assembly to access the wires and splice in a 4-pin flat wire harness. I recommend that the trailer brake/turn lamps be converted to LED bulbs. That will stop the "hyper-flash". The C4 turn signal flasher is not easy to access but you can use an electronic flasher as a replacement.

OzyC4

It must be me as I couldn't find it without copying and pasting the part number into the search bar. The Ecklers one looks to be what I'm after. I like the idea of the Curt brand one with just a small tongue showing, but as it only comes with a small 1.25 inch ball means that I can't use it. Here in Oz 2 inch towballs are standard and I reckon finding a 1.25 inch hitch would be impossible.
The other problem that C4cruiser has pointed out is carrying weight. My bike trailer probably weighs 400 lbs on it's own at a guess and I know that my Goldwing weighs 660 lbs, so we are looking at a total approaching half a ton.........probably not a good idea as it is a sports car after all.
Thanks for the advice.

crowz

Key thing with towing bikes would be tongue weight. As long as you match the tongue weight right your not likely to have issues pulling wise.

OzyC4

Yeah it seemed like a terrific idea that I could combine the use of 2 of my toys at the same time, but after giving it some more thought, maybe it's not a great idea.
It is a sports car after all and probably wasn't designed for towing. Sure the engine has the torque to pull the load, but the rear suspension and cooling system might not be up to it.

crowz

I personally wouldn't use my vette to tow. But then again I own large diesel trucks for that

But saying a vette cant do the job ok isn't fair either.

crowz

Heck even the old vette's can tow.

crowz

Heck if this can tow anything can

crowz

Its all about weight distribution.

If you don't exceed tongue weight your not going to hurt anything since the cars just going to spin tires if it can't pull it. Overheating pulling motorcycles isn't going to be a problem unless something wrong with your car to start with.

Now a c4 with an automatic transmission is another story. That can overheat from long hills and such with a large load but your bikes I doubt would be an issue. Add a trans temp gauge to be safe.