I'm looking forward to picking up my "new" 87 coupe in Radcliff, KY. I'm combining this with a sales trip so the car will be trailered home (much rather drive it , but it's not possible. )

I've trailered cars before, but I was wondering if any of you have any tie-down tips to be aware of from experience.

BTW, since I'm not that far from Bowling Green, I thought I'd try to make a stop. How long does the cruise-in event go?

 

go here for the how to of trailering (towing)

http://www.c4guru.com/articles/TowingJacking.pdf

 

When are you traveling through?

Events all weekend long.

cc

 

Just a little note: I once trailered an '88 Honda CRX Si from Pennsylvania to Colorado. It was a two day trip. When I backed the Honda off the trailer, I had to pump the brakes several times before they worked.

I was using one of those trailers where just the front wheels were off the ground, so you probably won't have this issue, but it wouldn't hurt to be extra cautious when you take the car off.

 

What kind of trailer will you be using? An open car trailer type or enclosed? The front of the car is pretty low to the ground and the front air dam is only about 3-4" off the ground.

If the trailer has a dovetail the drop should be a help but yo will need ramps that are a minimum of 6 feet long and it would help to have some blocks at the front of the ramps.

The pics in the link are good, but the rear tie-down points on the car are IMHO too far forward and above the suspension members to use. The straps will rub against them.

As far as straps, use 4 ratcheting straps that are 2" wide with a load rating of 10,000 lbs. These straps will have a safe working load limit of 3,3oo lbs (1/3 the ratings). In the front, you can attach the straps to the factory tie downs and run the straps forward to a ring on the trailer. At the rear, cross the straps in an "X". If you do use the factory tie-down points, use some rags or towls where the straps hit the suspension to keep the straps from fraying.

Place the car on th e traielr so that the trailer is level when it's hitched up. The tongue weight should be 10% of the total weight of the car and trailer.

What sort of tow vehicle are you using? At the minimum, a 1/2 ton pickup is needed.

 

I did the same thing when I bought my 92. I wanted to take it with rather than making another 300 mile round trip. I rented a U-Haul trailer and the only thing I had to do was put a piece of 2x6 under each front tire to get the front air dam to clear the rachets on the trailer. I used the U-Haul, over the tire, front straps and 2, 3inch tiedowns hooked to the C4 tiedown points, crossed in an x. I also had to put 2 pieces of 2x6 under the ramps so the airdam would clear. I had no problems other than that. This wasn't the way I wanted to do it, but U-Haul was the only place open that Saturday.
What I really wanted to rent was a Ryder flatbed trailer. Ryder has a aluminum flatbed that I've used before to move cars. It's better than the U-Haul.

 

Looks like I'm going to be too late. My wife & I with our 2 kids (son - 6 daughter 18 months) will be traveling down Tuesday, pick up the car Wednesday, then stop by the museum on Thursday a.m. before working our way back. I was hoping for a plant tour as well, till I read no children under 7 are allowed. I understand, though. Guess it will give us another reason to come down again...

 

let me know if you need anythink in radcliff.

 

Nice.... That's what I'm talkin' about! I was wondering if damage could occur using the suspension arms.

Thanks for the post!

 

Thanks for the tips. I'll be using an open trailer (although I'm not sure it's length) from a friend, pulled by a 2003 1/2 Silverado Z-71 equipped with the 5.3L V8.

Would you suggest leaving the trans in Park, or Neutral with parking brake applied?

 

Thanks, Mike! Will do. Ya know, this is one thing that has impressed me with you guys on this site. Everyone seems willing to go the extra mile to lend a helping hand if needed. It is much appreciated!

BTW, the guy I'm pick up the car from has lived there around 5 years, but just moved out of town. He has (soon had!) a white coupe with a brand new red interior. It is stock looking. Have you ever seen it around town?

Cem

 

Yes if it is the car i am think of it was always clean. what time are you pick the car up.

 

Cool... If you want to see what the car looks like, you can view it at this link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...romZR40QQfviZ1

I'm hoping to roll through town around 11:30 a.m.

 

Look great. pm send

 

Leave it in park with the parking brake applied if it is an auto, manual trans cars are the only ones you leave in neutral when trailering.