Trailering a c3
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
Trailering a c3
I'm headed out on a road trip to pick up my71 ls5 Tom and I'm renting a uhaul trailer. And driving from Kentucky to nj. Is there any thing I need to watch out for and any specifics on where to anchor the car to the trailer?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 26
From: Ocean County NJ
Hey Clay. Ive never used a U-Haul trailer, but do recall other CF members that have, posted a tips and tricks thread. Did you search for it? Couple of things I remember not related to tie downs was to be careful opening the door, as you can ding it on the raised deck which surrounds the trailers wheel well. Don't put a car cover or tarp over the car as the flapping material will damage the paint. That's all I got - but you probably already knew that. Where in NJ are you located?
1969/1971/2021 Coupes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 80
From: Port Huron MI
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Also remember to raise the front of the trailer to make the drive onto it as level as possible. I've always left the tounge hooked to the truck and used the trailer jack to lift it (for obvious reasons).
Terry
Terry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The fender on those trailers is removable. Saves a lot of door dings. I had to not only raise the tongue on the trailer, but also head to the local Home Depot where we used a speed bump to raise the ends of the ramps to further flatten things out. Once the car is on board things get easy. Pulled my '70 from Charlotte NC to Chicago behind my son's hemi ram pick up. Fun trip!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 2
From: Nixa Missouri
I didnt tow my 70 on a U-Haul but did tow my Z06 when I first bought it and the U-haul trailer and U-haul people where great and very helpfull.
Heres a thread when I bought the car with a few pictures of how I loaded it and tied it down with extra straps in the rear.
Hope this helps.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...z06-world.html
Heres a thread when I bought the car with a few pictures of how I loaded it and tied it down with extra straps in the rear.
Hope this helps.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...z06-world.html
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Streator Illinois
There should be chain holes at a few locations front and rear on the bottom of the frame which will load the suspension so it doesn't bounce around a lot. When I trailered mine home from MN to IL, I also used straps crossed in front around the lower A arms and in the rear around the 1/2 shafts.
Good idea to stop after the first 20-30 miles to check everything and then periodically after that. Good luck with the ride.
Terry
Good idea to stop after the first 20-30 miles to check everything and then periodically after that. Good luck with the ride.
Terry
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
Roger needing to raise the front of the trailer and/or lower the back. I dind't use a U-haul, but borrowed a standard 20 ft car hauler from a friend to bring the 81 I just purchased home. We had to find a dip in the driveway to get the back down so the ramps were as level as possible. Touch and go, with my friend watching to make sure we cleared going up the ramps while I drove it on. ALL of my hair was standing on end! Once on the trailer it was a piece of cake.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 281
From: Dyersburg TN
used a Uhaul when I bought mine (did not want to risk 8 hour drive). It worked great. Moveable fender is nice, don't forget that. And if raising the front does not give enough clearance for spoiler, take some lumber with you to help raise it. Make sure the straps and chains are on good. The design is good, but you never know when some idiot will cause you to have to brake or worse.
best of luck
best of luck
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
Call your insurance agent (for your regular vehicle) ahead to find out what your existing insurance will cover....in case of an accident. The insurance you puchase at U-Haul is astronomical! An added "rider" to your present coverage is not very expensive. But, you know that you will be protected in any event.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
When using the security chains for the front and rear, loop the chains around the chassis and secure the chain to itself. Don't just hook it on the chassis.
While the trailer was secured to the truck I cranked up the front jacking trailer wheel to allow more clearance for the rockers when the car was driven onto the trailer. Otherwise it would not have had enough clearance when driven up the ramps. USE WHEEL CHOCKS under tow vehicle front wheels and trailer wheels.
Be sure to leave enough clearance in the chains and wiring harness to make sharp turns and still have slack.
Don't back the car on. Keep the weight up front by driving the car on forward.
There are two U-Haul trailers. The orange colored ones are for cars that are 75" or less as measured from outside of wheel to outside of wheel. The silver colored ones are for wider cars like the Z06.
My insurrance policy covered the car but not the value of the trailer in case of accident. I purchased the trailer insurrance from U-Haul for $60. They value the trailer at $8,000.
I trailered mine from Michigan to Florida last winter. 1,400 miles with no issues. The C3 is still in Michigan. Maybe one day it will see Florida weather as well.
While the trailer was secured to the truck I cranked up the front jacking trailer wheel to allow more clearance for the rockers when the car was driven onto the trailer. Otherwise it would not have had enough clearance when driven up the ramps. USE WHEEL CHOCKS under tow vehicle front wheels and trailer wheels.
Be sure to leave enough clearance in the chains and wiring harness to make sharp turns and still have slack.
Don't back the car on. Keep the weight up front by driving the car on forward.
There are two U-Haul trailers. The orange colored ones are for cars that are 75" or less as measured from outside of wheel to outside of wheel. The silver colored ones are for wider cars like the Z06.
My insurrance policy covered the car but not the value of the trailer in case of accident. I purchased the trailer insurrance from U-Haul for $60. They value the trailer at $8,000.
I trailered mine from Michigan to Florida last winter. 1,400 miles with no issues. The C3 is still in Michigan. Maybe one day it will see Florida weather as well.
Last edited by 08vycpe; Feb 26, 2012 at 02:23 PM. Reason: added wheel chock comment
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 691
Likes: 25
From: Boynton Beach Florida
I've used U-Haul trailers several times and will be using one this Monday to pull the car back to the body shop. Make sure you lay the black wheel tie downs on the trailer so you drive over them then place them on the tires and into the winch. Sucks to forget this and drive the car on only to figure it out and have to back the car off again. Not saying I did this or anything 
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 232
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From: MA
It seems like many people have had a lot of luck with their uhauls. I, however, did not. I drove 2 hours to get my car and brought the uhaul with me. Go there, parked the trailer on a hill, and the car still wouldn't clear it onto the trailer. Had to drive two and a half hours back to borrow my buddy's trailer, then two and a half hours back to the car. (Long day to say the least, a lot of driving in a Ram 3500) It is a really low trailer that has a curved deck which made it extremely easy to load; didn't need a jack to lift up the trailer or park it on a hill. (Should have borrowed it in the first place) Unfortunately I was so excited about bringing the car home, that I didn't think of taking pictures. I used ratchet straps to attach the car to the trailer wraping it around the frame. I don't know if anyone else recommends this, but I socked down the car enough where the suspension compressed a little bit. I have always been taught to do it this way, and that is just so the car doesn't bounce around on the trailer. Tire straps may also work, never used them though. Good luck 
Last edited by CorvetteFirstTimer; Feb 25, 2012 at 11:10 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
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From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I towed mine from Washington D.C. to Port Clinton, Ohio and had no trouble. The trailer towed great. My car didn't run when I picked it up so I used a Come-a-long to pull it onto the trailer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
make sure the tongue is SECURELY tightened to the ball. i've moved three cars using a u-haul trailer, but the last time i didn't double check the attachment, and when i drove the car onto the ramps, the tongue lifted off the ball and then as the car moved forward(about 2 seconds start to finish) the trailer had moved forward and the tailgate on my truck suddenly had changed shape. luckily, the safety chain held and prevented additional damage. u-haul's insurance paid $3000 for that one. but i have to blame myself because i didn't check it myself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,240
Likes: 1,013
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
I am not a big fan of those wheel straps so check them often. Also, I haven't seen it mentioned yet, but put the transmission in neutral for the ride on the trailer. Good trip
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Have used the U Haul to move 2-1981 models and 1 -1980 model C3's.
Because of the lower front bumper, I had to add 2/6's under the front tires to elevate the front end enough so that the front air-dam would not hit the top of the trailer surround frame. Just that extra 1.5 inches in height was enough. Longest pull was from Cape Girardau,Missouir to south of Baton Rouge, La. ~ 9 hours.
Other than that, no trouble placing them on or off the trailer using flat ground . Don't forget that the drivers side trailer fenders fold out to allow you to open the drivers door of the Vette once you pull the car onto the trailer.
Stopping every 100 miles to make sure things look right is advisable.
I relied on the front tire straps 100% , not a problem. I also bought the ~$20/day insurance from U Haul. I will do it again with a U Haul in a heartbeat. Narry a problem.
Because of the lower front bumper, I had to add 2/6's under the front tires to elevate the front end enough so that the front air-dam would not hit the top of the trailer surround frame. Just that extra 1.5 inches in height was enough. Longest pull was from Cape Girardau,Missouir to south of Baton Rouge, La. ~ 9 hours.
Other than that, no trouble placing them on or off the trailer using flat ground . Don't forget that the drivers side trailer fenders fold out to allow you to open the drivers door of the Vette once you pull the car onto the trailer.
Stopping every 100 miles to make sure things look right is advisable.
I relied on the front tire straps 100% , not a problem. I also bought the ~$20/day insurance from U Haul. I will do it again with a U Haul in a heartbeat. Narry a problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,223
Likes: 666
From: Northeast
If you don't get a trailer that has the folding fenders, then you need to place some wood where each tire will rest so that it raises the car that extra inch to clear the fender when you open the door.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
Well after driving 26 hrs on a 28 hr trip. Mew made it home safely with the car. Thank you to everyone who gave me the helpfully hints. It was a looooong trip driving through the mountains of pennsylvania. Next time I'll pay to have it shipped. Thanks again. I'll be posting some pics soon.