Towbar anyone?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 166
Likes: 9
From: Melbourne Australia
Towbar anyone?
I'm due to take possession of my 88 C4 this week and have started thinking about enjoying it this Summer. I plan on taking one of my vintage motorbikes to a couple of rallies this Summer, and as I usually trailer my bikes I'm wondering if anyone has fitted a towbar to their Corvette.
Is it possible and if so, how easy is it?
Is it possible and if so, how easy is it?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 127
From: Ashland Alabama
There are trailer hitches out there for the c4.
This one should handle what your wanting to do.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1984-1996.html
This one should handle what your wanting to do.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1984-1996.html
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 166
Likes: 9
From: Melbourne Australia
There are trailer hitches out there for the c4.
This one should handle what your wanting to do.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1984-1996.html
This one should handle what your wanting to do.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1984-1996.html
I'm afraid i can't find one at that website....plenty of swaybars though.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
For whatever reason. when you copy/paste a specific webpage link from the Ecklers website you get the main page. It's a PITA to navigate thru their website! The hitch part number that I found is 25-162451-1 and lists for $315 plus shipping and handling.
I found another hitch here It's a Curt brand hitch and sells for around $224. Curt is a good hitch brand and is made in the US.
One caution about towing with a C4 (or any Corvette) is that there is no tow weight information provided by GM. The total cargo weight for a C4 is something like 450 lbs. which includes driver and passenger and any cargo that totals that weight. Do you know what the weight of your bike is? Weight of a trailer you may use?
You would need to carefully balance the trailer cargo so that there is no more than 100 lbs. of tongue weight. That's light enough that the trailer tongue won't lower the rear of the car too much. Also, plan on doing wiring for the trailer lights. Remove a left-hand and right-hand tail lamp assembly to access the wires and splice in a 4-pin flat wire harness. I recommend that the trailer brake/turn lamps be converted to LED bulbs. That will stop the "hyper-flash". The C4 turn signal flasher is not easy to access but you can use an electronic flasher as a replacement.
I found another hitch here It's a Curt brand hitch and sells for around $224. Curt is a good hitch brand and is made in the US.
One caution about towing with a C4 (or any Corvette) is that there is no tow weight information provided by GM. The total cargo weight for a C4 is something like 450 lbs. which includes driver and passenger and any cargo that totals that weight. Do you know what the weight of your bike is? Weight of a trailer you may use?
You would need to carefully balance the trailer cargo so that there is no more than 100 lbs. of tongue weight. That's light enough that the trailer tongue won't lower the rear of the car too much. Also, plan on doing wiring for the trailer lights. Remove a left-hand and right-hand tail lamp assembly to access the wires and splice in a 4-pin flat wire harness. I recommend that the trailer brake/turn lamps be converted to LED bulbs. That will stop the "hyper-flash". The C4 turn signal flasher is not easy to access but you can use an electronic flasher as a replacement.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 166
Likes: 9
From: Melbourne Australia
It must be me as I couldn't find it without copying and pasting the part number into the search bar. The Ecklers one looks to be what I'm after. I like the idea of the Curt brand one with just a small tongue showing, but as it only comes with a small 1.25 inch ball means that I can't use it. Here in Oz 2 inch towballs are standard and I reckon finding a 1.25 inch hitch would be impossible.
The other problem that C4cruiser has pointed out is carrying weight. My bike trailer probably weighs 400 lbs on it's own at a guess and I know that my Goldwing weighs 660 lbs, so we are looking at a total approaching half a ton.........probably not a good idea as it is a sports car after all.
Thanks for the advice.
The other problem that C4cruiser has pointed out is carrying weight. My bike trailer probably weighs 400 lbs on it's own at a guess and I know that my Goldwing weighs 660 lbs, so we are looking at a total approaching half a ton.........probably not a good idea as it is a sports car after all.
Thanks for the advice.
Last edited by OzyC4; Jan 16, 2017 at 07:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 166
Likes: 9
From: Melbourne Australia
Yeah it seemed like a terrific idea that I could combine the use of 2 of my toys at the same time, but after giving it some more thought, maybe it's not a great idea.
It is a sports car after all and probably wasn't designed for towing. Sure the engine has the torque to pull the load, but the rear suspension and cooling system might not be up to it.
It is a sports car after all and probably wasn't designed for towing. Sure the engine has the torque to pull the load, but the rear suspension and cooling system might not be up to it.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 127
From: Ashland Alabama
Its all about weight distribution.
If you don't exceed tongue weight your not going to hurt anything since the cars just going to spin tires if it can't pull it. Overheating pulling motorcycles isn't going to be a problem unless something wrong with your car to start with.
Now a c4 with an automatic transmission is another story. That can overheat from long hills and such with a large load but your bikes I doubt would be an issue. Add a trans temp gauge to be safe.
If you don't exceed tongue weight your not going to hurt anything since the cars just going to spin tires if it can't pull it. Overheating pulling motorcycles isn't going to be a problem unless something wrong with your car to start with.
Now a c4 with an automatic transmission is another story. That can overheat from long hills and such with a large load but your bikes I doubt would be an issue. Add a trans temp gauge to be safe.