Towing a compact camper with a corvette.
05-07-2013, 05:41 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Towing a compact camper with a corvette.
I was curious guys, and yes I know in the manual it says not to tow anything with your c5 corvette, but we all know they figure if you can buy a corvette, you can buy a truck for your towing...
But for ***** (am I allowed to say that?) and kicks, I pulled my full size 150 horse bass boat and it pulled effortlessly. So I was thinking about getting an 18 ft compact trailer for journeying job to job.
With 450 rwhp and 440 rear wheel foot-lbs of torque, I don't understand why it would serve a problem. (And it generates over 300 ft-lbs of torque around 2000-2500 rpms) Also, the hydro-formed frame has as much torsional rigidity as some pickup trucks in the 90's no doubt. It's a stout frame indeed.
My hitch is also a class II hitch, if I were to increase rebound and compression on my rear shocks, shouldn't towing a 2500 lbs trailer with 250 lbs on the tongue be just fine? The bass boat didn't seem to sag it one bit and the ride was smooth and predictable. I'm just curious, don't flame me. I am more or less interested in knowing one truth, can it reliably be done without significant wear on the power train. Keep in mind my clutch is a LS7 Z06 427 clutch. If I have to go as far as installing an air to air transmission fluid cooler I will do that.
I don't believe the crap about no towing at all. I used to have a Mazda Miata and I had a small 4x6 compact trailer loaded with tires, wheels, and tools when I would drive to Birmingham for track days. Total weight was around 750 lbs trailer and all...
It never labored, broke down, or overheated...
But for ***** (am I allowed to say that?) and kicks, I pulled my full size 150 horse bass boat and it pulled effortlessly. So I was thinking about getting an 18 ft compact trailer for journeying job to job.
With 450 rwhp and 440 rear wheel foot-lbs of torque, I don't understand why it would serve a problem. (And it generates over 300 ft-lbs of torque around 2000-2500 rpms) Also, the hydro-formed frame has as much torsional rigidity as some pickup trucks in the 90's no doubt. It's a stout frame indeed.
My hitch is also a class II hitch, if I were to increase rebound and compression on my rear shocks, shouldn't towing a 2500 lbs trailer with 250 lbs on the tongue be just fine? The bass boat didn't seem to sag it one bit and the ride was smooth and predictable. I'm just curious, don't flame me. I am more or less interested in knowing one truth, can it reliably be done without significant wear on the power train. Keep in mind my clutch is a LS7 Z06 427 clutch. If I have to go as far as installing an air to air transmission fluid cooler I will do that.
I don't believe the crap about no towing at all. I used to have a Mazda Miata and I had a small 4x6 compact trailer loaded with tires, wheels, and tools when I would drive to Birmingham for track days. Total weight was around 750 lbs trailer and all...
It never labored, broke down, or overheated...
Last edited by Cody Strife; 05-07-2013 at 05:51 PM.
05-07-2013, 05:53 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
I have seen guys from Canada pulling small trailers color coded of course to Carlisle every year.there was one guy back in the 70's who went cross country pulling a U haul with an old 68 stingray
05-07-2013, 06:01 PM
#3
Melting Slicks
I know people have done it... I'm not sure the weight they have pulled but I have seen small watercraft, motorcycles and hobby trailers. That being said it's probably doable but a little
in my opinion. But again I have no need to tow anything with my C5, but if I did I might still give it a shot if it was light enough... 
05-07-2013, 06:43 PM
#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
When I was stationed in India, I seen two passenger taxi cabs built on Royal Enfield 350cc single cylinder motorcycles, though I never seen anyone question the logic behind it because it worked and because it was socially acceptable in that country.
I think the issue of towing a 2000 lbs trailer with a Corvette doesn't have anything to do with its mechanical limitation; rather, it has everything to do with a social taboo and unifying notion that you do not tow anything with a Corvette, period.
In America, you simply drive around in a corvette, look nice, and use it as a penile enhancement device when so required...
I think the issue of towing a 2000 lbs trailer with a Corvette doesn't have anything to do with its mechanical limitation; rather, it has everything to do with a social taboo and unifying notion that you do not tow anything with a Corvette, period.
In America, you simply drive around in a corvette, look nice, and use it as a penile enhancement device when so required...
05-07-2013, 06:47 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
When I was stationed in India, I seen two passenger taxi cabs built on Royal Enfield 350cc single cylinder motorcycles, though I never seen anyone question the logic behind it because it worked and because it was socially acceptable in that country.
I think the issue of towing a 2000 lbs trailer with a Corvette doesn't have anything to do with its mechanical limitation; rather, it has everything to do with a social taboo and unifying notion that you do not tow anything with a Corvette, period.
In America, you simply drive around in a corvette, look nice, and use it as a penile enhancement device when so required...
I think the issue of towing a 2000 lbs trailer with a Corvette doesn't have anything to do with its mechanical limitation; rather, it has everything to do with a social taboo and unifying notion that you do not tow anything with a Corvette, period.
In America, you simply drive around in a corvette, look nice, and use it as a penile enhancement device when so required...
05-07-2013, 08:28 PM
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
05-07-2013, 08:41 PM
#11
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05-07-2013, 08:48 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
Pulling is not the problem, stopping and handling could be though. Make sure you have brakes on the trailer and don't make sudden lane changes ect. If you have ever been pushed by a trailer or felt a trailer start to weave behind you will will know what I mean. Also be aware a short wheelbase car like the corvette with 18 foot of trailer behind it would be a nightmare in an emergency crash avoidance situation.
05-07-2013, 08:51 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
I don't see why not if you have a good set up. I used to pull a little tire trailer to autocross events with my C4. And then there's this rig - obviously some thought went into it:
05-07-2013, 09:53 PM
#14
Racer
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As said above, I would be worried about braking more than anything.....
I really think that this brings new light to the saying, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should".
Which leads to me ask, Why? Why not just buy a truck? (forgive me if you covered that in the opening thread)
I really think that this brings new light to the saying, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should".
Which leads to me ask, Why? Why not just buy a truck? (forgive me if you covered that in the opening thread)
05-07-2013, 10:19 PM
#15
Drifting
This has been discussed before, with basically more of the same responses we've seen so far.
There are a lot of people who say no don't ever do it, but there are also plenty of people who have done it with no ill effects.
Personally, I think it comes down to tongue weight. I'd feel uneasy about putting 200+ lbs on the rear axle, and would absolutely not put more than 300 lbs.
So, I think a 2000 pound trailer is fine, but I would be very weary about anything more than that.
There are a lot of people who say no don't ever do it, but there are also plenty of people who have done it with no ill effects.
Personally, I think it comes down to tongue weight. I'd feel uneasy about putting 200+ lbs on the rear axle, and would absolutely not put more than 300 lbs.
So, I think a 2000 pound trailer is fine, but I would be very weary about anything more than that.
05-07-2013, 10:27 PM
#16
Safety Car
Pulling is not the problem, stopping and handling could be though. Make sure you have brakes on the trailer and don't make sudden lane changes ect. If you have ever been pushed by a trailer or felt a trailer start to weave behind you will will know what I mean. Also be aware a short wheelbase car like the corvette with 18 foot of trailer behind it would be a nightmare in an emergency crash avoidance situation.
05-08-2013, 02:15 PM
#17
Instructor
Thread Starter
This has been discussed before, with basically more of the same responses we've seen so far.
There are a lot of people who say no don't ever do it, but there are also plenty of people who have done it with no ill effects.
Personally, I think it comes down to tongue weight. I'd feel uneasy about putting 200+ lbs on the rear axle, and would absolutely not put more than 300 lbs.
So, I think a 2000 pound trailer is fine, but I would be very weary about anything more than that.
There are a lot of people who say no don't ever do it, but there are also plenty of people who have done it with no ill effects.
Personally, I think it comes down to tongue weight. I'd feel uneasy about putting 200+ lbs on the rear axle, and would absolutely not put more than 300 lbs.
So, I think a 2000 pound trailer is fine, but I would be very weary about anything more than that.
I know for sure the 97-13 corvette chassis is stronger and stouter than a 97-03 f150 frame...
05-08-2013, 02:20 PM
#18
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I wouldn't pull an 18 foot camper with a vette. I have a 19 foot camper and no way in hell would I attempt it. Power enough yes, but there other things to consider.
Now with that said, they do make compact campers that are mainly for sleeping that you could get away with maybe. 18' NO
Now with that said, they do make compact campers that are mainly for sleeping that you could get away with maybe. 18' NO
