Trailers for Hauling C3's
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Tyler Texas
Trailers for Hauling C3's
Anyone have experience, comments or recommendations as to purchasing a trailer for hauling C3's?
Most of the trailer manufactures/dealers are recommending a 16 foot, tandum axle, 7000 lb GVWR, with 2" pine deck, 207/75-15 tires, teardrop fenders, 2" coupler, tie down pockets on side and front.
Most have 4 to 5 ft. drive on rear ramps---which may be too steep for a C-3. Anyone with C3 trailer experience speak up!
Most of the trailer manufactures/dealers are recommending a 16 foot, tandum axle, 7000 lb GVWR, with 2" pine deck, 207/75-15 tires, teardrop fenders, 2" coupler, tie down pockets on side and front.
Most have 4 to 5 ft. drive on rear ramps---which may be too steep for a C-3. Anyone with C3 trailer experience speak up!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
I investigated trailering options about a year ago. I found Featherlite Trailers. Specifically, the 'Model 3110 Drag Open Car Hauler' appeared to be well suited to trailering a C3. These trailers can be pricey given they are aluminum vs. painted steel
www.featherliteinc.com
The link for the 3110 Drag open Car Hauler (Streetside view):
http://www.featherliteinc.com/traile...cd2=1112046854
www.featherliteinc.com
The link for the 3110 Drag open Car Hauler (Streetside view):
http://www.featherliteinc.com/traile...cd2=1112046854
Last edited by TedH; Mar 28, 2005 at 04:57 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
For the C3, there are really three options to reduce the ramp angle:
1) Beaver-tail
2) Tilt trailer
3) Rollback
I personally like the rollback but it is the most expensive (which is why I don't have one yet). But here is a link:
www.texasroll-back.com
1) Beaver-tail
2) Tilt trailer
3) Rollback
I personally like the rollback but it is the most expensive (which is why I don't have one yet). But here is a link:
www.texasroll-back.com
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,454
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
I'll try to find out the brand we have it's iron (wasn't willing to pay $$$ for the featherlite) tand axel. My C3 and C4 fit with ZERO problems plus you could open the doors once on the trailer which is VERY for Vettes on trailers.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Abilene Tx
Originally Posted by TedH
I investigated trailering options about a year ago. I found Featherlite Trailers. Specifically, the 'Model 3110 Drag Open Car Hauler' appeared to be well suited to trailering a C3. These trailers can be pricey given they are aluminum vs. painted steel
www.featherliteinc.com
The link for the 3110 Drag open Car Hauler (Streetside view):
http://www.featherliteinc.com/traile...cd2=1112046854
www.featherliteinc.com
The link for the 3110 Drag open Car Hauler (Streetside view):
http://www.featherliteinc.com/traile...cd2=1112046854
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,342
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Area Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08
I bought a *** trailer and I had to build access ramps to the ramps for clearance. I just made them so they would slide in the side holes and they look like side accents for the trailer
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 1
From: Deep in the Heart of Dixie Alabama
I use a 16 Ft X 8 Ft with 4-5 Foot ramps. Loaded Corvettes hundreds of times with no problem.
Go ahead and pay a extra $125 and get the all steel trailer. The wood will need to be replaced in about three years. That way you want have to deal with it. You will be glad.
Go ahead and pay a extra $125 and get the all steel trailer. The wood will need to be replaced in about three years. That way you want have to deal with it. You will be glad.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 21
From: Somerset, NJ
I purchased a 16' Bri-Mar open center trailer a year ago January for $1900 brand new in PA. Its one heck of a nice trailer and would do the trick for what you want one for. It has a 4" channel main frame with 3500lb axles, 2 axle electric brakes,breakaway kit, F78/15c tires,pull out ramps,removable fenders. Actually to much here to list. Go to this link and see for yourself.
http://www.bri-mar.com/trailerdetail.php?modelsid=14
http://www.bri-mar.com/trailerdetail.php?modelsid=14
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
The only "problem" I would mention is the following, AND I don't know the proper terminology.
On my old trailer (16 foot bed open), I could easily haul C1's and C2's, and the doors would open over the trailer fenders.
When I hauled a C3, the doors wouldn't open without hitting the fenders. Had to crawl into the coupes and convertibles.
SO, I recently sold my old 1988 model trailer, and will probably buy a new one in the future. The door opening feature is the one feature I would look for.
I guess it would be the height from the trailer deck to the top of the fender.
Looking at BamaVette's trailer, looks like the doors would hit the fenders and not open over the top of them. Chuck
On my old trailer (16 foot bed open), I could easily haul C1's and C2's, and the doors would open over the trailer fenders.
When I hauled a C3, the doors wouldn't open without hitting the fenders. Had to crawl into the coupes and convertibles.
SO, I recently sold my old 1988 model trailer, and will probably buy a new one in the future. The door opening feature is the one feature I would look for.
I guess it would be the height from the trailer deck to the top of the fender.
Looking at BamaVette's trailer, looks like the doors would hit the fenders and not open over the top of them. Chuck
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Bought a brand new trailer from Emerson Trailers. Paid about $2k with extas.. Had the fenders made removable so that you can open the door(s). The trailer is a 16 foot trailer with a very low rear. Clearance is not an issue. Even though the trailer only has about 1350 lbs, it's a steel construction..
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,457
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Got my trailer in 1993 for $800. Was used two seasons to haul a '72 454 Monte Carlo drag car to the races. Previous owner bought it new in '88 for over $1,700. It weighs over 1680lbs. I mainly "cruise" my Corvettes as most people know, but for the long haul shows like Bloomington, Bowling Green, Carlisle, etc., I do like to trailer. It has electric brakes on the front axle, P205-75-15 tires with '74 Impala hubcaps installed by me. I've rewired it, re-tired it, re-braked it & twice repainted it. With any of my C3s on it, the doors can be "opened" with about an inch & a half "clearance" ABOVE the fenders. Yeah, I've probably have put over $700 into it, but seeing as I got it originally for $800, I thought I have done well. It's a super built trailer and I love it 
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge LA
go to www.hhtrailers.com and pick out a trailer. I can get you any trailer they have on their site and save you some money off their sale price. We buy direct from them and sell them here in MI. We have some tandem 16' right now for around $2200. Might need to get different ramps for the vette. I know they have car haulers. They have pictures of them loading a viper onto one of their car haulers.
I have this trailer for $2200:
http://www.hhtrailer.com/default.asp?page=speedloadermx
I have this trailer for $2200:
http://www.hhtrailer.com/default.asp?page=speedloadermx
Last edited by Custum73; Mar 30, 2005 at 10:12 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
On some trailers ramps the front air dam spoilers will hit--one trick is to build some little 4 or 5 inch ramps or blocks to run the rear wheels of the tow vehicle up on which will lower the back of the trailer plenty to clear the valance or dam spoiler.
SEMPER FI--1970 Dave
SEMPER FI--1970 Dave
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
One of the guys in our corvette club has an enclosed trailer. Same problem with the door clearance where the fenders for the tires are.
To fix the ramp issue he added an addittional folding peice about 3 feet long that hinged on the ramp. Bolted some 4"x4" wood on the back of the tailgate. The tailgate drops down and sits about 4" of the ground. then you hinge the extra 3 feet over to the ground and you can drive the vette straight onto the 8 foot ramp straight up into the back. Other alterative is to load it on some sloped ground (trailer at bottom of slope.)
I don't know the brand but U-Haul has a nice open trailer that a friend hired to move his vette down to Panama City.
Considering how much they cost is it worth just renting one from time to time?
Pete
To fix the ramp issue he added an addittional folding peice about 3 feet long that hinged on the ramp. Bolted some 4"x4" wood on the back of the tailgate. The tailgate drops down and sits about 4" of the ground. then you hinge the extra 3 feet over to the ground and you can drive the vette straight onto the 8 foot ramp straight up into the back. Other alterative is to load it on some sloped ground (trailer at bottom of slope.)
I don't know the brand but U-Haul has a nice open trailer that a friend hired to move his vette down to Panama City.
Considering how much they cost is it worth just renting one from time to time?
Pete
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 21
From: Somerset, NJ
The nice thing about the Bri-Mar open or closed trailers is that the Width is 82” Between the Fenders and 102” Overall giving you plenty of room to open the doors. The added plus are the removable fenders as shown in the link provided in my first thread. In order to loosen these fenders and set them down there are 4 rubber **** type bolts that are hand tightened holding the fenders on. If need be you can take either side fender off the trailer in minutes if you have a vehicle requiring you to do this in order to open the doors. I have yet to take a fender off of my trailer with any of my cars aboard. Here is the link again if you want to take a look. In this picture they show the driver side fender taken off the trailer as you can see.
http://www.bri-mar.com/trailerdetail.php?modelsid=14
http://www.bri-mar.com/trailerdetail.php?modelsid=14
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by bamavettes
I use a 16 Ft X 8 Ft with 4-5 Foot ramps. Loaded Corvettes hundreds of times with no problem.
Go ahead and pay a extra $125 and get the all steel trailer. The wood will need to be replaced in about three years. That way you want have to deal with it. You will be glad.
Go ahead and pay a extra $125 and get the all steel trailer. The wood will need to be replaced in about three years. That way you want have to deal with it. You will be glad.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
From: glace bay nova scotia
i have used the u-haul carrier with the drop down fenders, it worked flawlessly.i don't know the name brand of it ,but for 65.$ for the weekend, i will never buy one for as little as i use one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 1
From: Deep in the Heart of Dixie Alabama
The door does not hit the fender on Bamavettes trailer.
With one easy motion the trailer fender slides forward out of the way. Makes it real easy.
Good point. I would , also, reccommend this option.
With one easy motion the trailer fender slides forward out of the way. Makes it real easy.
Good point. I would , also, reccommend this option.