Two wheel towing
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 2
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Two wheel towing
I need to haul a 79 corvette, but am having trouble finding a trailer.
Uhaul has no trailer available where I need it.
They have the 2 wheel kind, that you load the front wheels on and then the back wheels of the car are on the ground.
The back wheels are rolling. Will this damage the car?
It is an automatic.
Uhaul has no trailer available where I need it.
They have the 2 wheel kind, that you load the front wheels on and then the back wheels of the car are on the ground.
The back wheels are rolling. Will this damage the car?
It is an automatic.
Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,795
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From: So. Cal.
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Unless you take out your driveshaft it will cause damage. If the driveshaft is left in, the internal transmission parts will spin without the oil pump working
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Dallas TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'09,'22,'25
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 833
From: WI
Tranny in N is not enough, unless you're just going across town. It'll heat up the trans fluid and no way to pump it through the cooler. You need to remove the driveshaft at the rear diff. That's not difficult to do and you can (if possible) just wire it in place, off to the side (if there's room). But because it's a low-slung car, you'd have to bring a jack and jackstands to do it (vs a 4x4 truck you can just crawl under).
Did you check with Ryder or Penski in the off-chance they have trailers?
Did you check with Ryder or Penski in the off-chance they have trailers?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Regardless, if the trans is in neutral, the output shaft and other parts are still spinning with the driveshaft intact.
The transmission ATF circulation pump runs off of a running engine. No pumping, no lube.
Anytime a RWD automatic is being towed, the driveshaft must be disconnected.
The transmission ATF circulation pump runs off of a running engine. No pumping, no lube.
Anytime a RWD automatic is being towed, the driveshaft must be disconnected.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
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From: SW Florida.
penske will only rent a trailer on the back of their truck. uhaul is about the only option. that or buy a trailer and resell it after. uhaul dolly. if you are gonna do it. lie about the car you are putting on it. 2001 honda civic. does the car run? drive it an hour and run it 10 minutes. hell, idle it while driving. i did that with an old subaru i bought from copart 100 miles away from home. i idled it the whole way home.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
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From: Cool Northern Michigan
I would never pull a "Low Profile" vehicle on a low profile dolly. You will rip **** off like nobody's business.
And on the C3s, the driveshaft is so tightly packed in a tunnel it would be difficult if not impossible to tie-off the driveshaft to the side allowing the pinion yoke to spin.
So the only option there would be to completely remove the driveshaft. (not a fun job)
Then watch the ATF dribble out.
U-Haul car haulers have a surge brakes on both axles. Its operated off of the trailer hitch and not the tow vehicles wire harness. They pull really nice.
Well balanced, good lighting and safety chains.
U-Haul will usually bring a trailer to within 20 miles of your location with a proper reservation / deposit.
And on the C3s, the driveshaft is so tightly packed in a tunnel it would be difficult if not impossible to tie-off the driveshaft to the side allowing the pinion yoke to spin.
So the only option there would be to completely remove the driveshaft. (not a fun job)
Then watch the ATF dribble out.
U-Haul car haulers have a surge brakes on both axles. Its operated off of the trailer hitch and not the tow vehicles wire harness. They pull really nice.
Well balanced, good lighting and safety chains.
U-Haul will usually bring a trailer to within 20 miles of your location with a proper reservation / deposit.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 833
From: WI
You could get a cheap transmission tailshaft plug to slip in the tranny end after you pull out the driveshaft. Check to see if any parts stores have them in your area (or can get them overnight/next day). Oreilly around here can get a lot of items next-day w/o shipping (from their warehouse). Napa might have them too.
IDK how a Corvette works on a tow dolly, but my brother had a small dealer lot for 20 years and although he owns a nice tilt trailer (with a winch), he prefers to use his tow dolly most of the time. It's quicker and easier for one vehicle, and light-weight. Plus you don't have to worry about banging the doors on trailer fenders, or climb out the window. He's hauled a lot of VW Jettas on his tow dolly's and they're pretty low slung in the front.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/252309182040
IDK how a Corvette works on a tow dolly, but my brother had a small dealer lot for 20 years and although he owns a nice tilt trailer (with a winch), he prefers to use his tow dolly most of the time. It's quicker and easier for one vehicle, and light-weight. Plus you don't have to worry about banging the doors on trailer fenders, or climb out the window. He's hauled a lot of VW Jettas on his tow dolly's and they're pretty low slung in the front.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/252309182040
Last edited by Mark G; Apr 20, 2022 at 08:27 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
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From: Virginia
How far? If you own the car, AAA will tow it. AAA+ will give you 100 miles, perhaps far enough to find a U-Haul with a trailer.
And if you burn up the automatic, fix it with a third pedal!
And if you burn up the automatic, fix it with a third pedal!
