Trailering C4
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 452
Likes: 136
Trailering C4
We are selling our home in Ft. Lauderdale and moving to a new home in Ocala, Fl. While it is being built we are planning to spend 4~6 months with my wife's parents in the Dallas,TX area. While we are out there I want to have my C4 convertible with me but don't want to drive it 1800 miles from here to Dallas if I can tow it in a covered box trailer. We have a 2016 Yukon with the optional 8500# trailer towing package and I am looking to rent an enclosed trailer to tow the 'vette out to Dallas.
Any ideas on this? I don't really want to fool with an open trailer due to exposure. Who rents these trailers and does anyone have an idea on the cost?
Thanks
Any ideas on this? I don't really want to fool with an open trailer due to exposure. Who rents these trailers and does anyone have an idea on the cost?
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Your Yukon should be able to tow your car with an enclosed trailer. Does the Yukon have a trailer brake controller? If not, you will need to get one installed. It can be a DIY job as many controllers come with a wiring harness that is plug-and-play. Also if the tow rig has a Class III hitch, you may need a weight distribution hitch.
I use a 20' enclosed trailer for my '93 autocross coupe and the loaded weight comes to just under 7000 lbs. My trailer weighs just under 3000 lbs. empty. You also need to consider all of the weight that is going into the Yukon for the trip. The Owner's Manual should show the total loaded weight that includes the weight of the loaded trailer, all the cargo you put in the tow vehicle including all passengers.
Hard to say where you can rent an enclosed trailer, especially if it's for a one-way trip. Using an open trailer can work. They are lighter than a box trailer and you would not need a WD hitch. I think that the U-Haul open trailers use a surge brake system so a trailer brake controller would not be needed either. U-Haul and Penske would have rental places all over Dallas so it would make a one-way tow easier to do.
I use a 20' enclosed trailer for my '93 autocross coupe and the loaded weight comes to just under 7000 lbs. My trailer weighs just under 3000 lbs. empty. You also need to consider all of the weight that is going into the Yukon for the trip. The Owner's Manual should show the total loaded weight that includes the weight of the loaded trailer, all the cargo you put in the tow vehicle including all passengers.
Hard to say where you can rent an enclosed trailer, especially if it's for a one-way trip. Using an open trailer can work. They are lighter than a box trailer and you would not need a WD hitch. I think that the U-Haul open trailers use a surge brake system so a trailer brake controller would not be needed either. U-Haul and Penske would have rental places all over Dallas so it would make a one-way tow easier to do.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 452
Likes: 136
Your Yukon should be able to tow your car with an enclosed trailer. Does the Yukon have a trailer brake controller? If not, you will need to get one installed. It can be a DIY job as many controllers come with a wiring harness that is plug-and-play. Also if the tow rig has a Class III hitch, you may need a weight distribution hitch.
I use a 20' enclosed trailer for my '93 autocross coupe and the loaded weight comes to just under 7000 lbs. My trailer weighs just under 3000 lbs. empty. You also need to consider all of the weight that is going into the Yukon for the trip. The Owner's Manual should show the total loaded weight that includes the weight of the loaded trailer, all the cargo you put in the tow vehicle including all passengers.
Hard to say where you can rent an enclosed trailer, especially if it's for a one-way trip. Using an open trailer can work. They are lighter than a box trailer and you would not need a WD hitch. I think that the U-Haul open trailers use a surge brake system so a trailer brake controller would not be needed either. U-Haul and Penske would have rental places all over Dallas so it would make a one-way tow easier to do.
I use a 20' enclosed trailer for my '93 autocross coupe and the loaded weight comes to just under 7000 lbs. My trailer weighs just under 3000 lbs. empty. You also need to consider all of the weight that is going into the Yukon for the trip. The Owner's Manual should show the total loaded weight that includes the weight of the loaded trailer, all the cargo you put in the tow vehicle including all passengers.
Hard to say where you can rent an enclosed trailer, especially if it's for a one-way trip. Using an open trailer can work. They are lighter than a box trailer and you would not need a WD hitch. I think that the U-Haul open trailers use a surge brake system so a trailer brake controller would not be needed either. U-Haul and Penske would have rental places all over Dallas so it would make a one-way tow easier to do.
I checked with Penske and they don't rent their open carrier unless it is towed with their truck. U Haul rents theirs for towing behind personally owned vehicles but I'm a bit dubious about their equipment maintenance.
I am getting a few quotes from collector car carriers and it looks like they are in the $600~$800 range. This is worthy of consideration because it insures that it will be in a covered trailer and secure at all times.
In a perfect world...I will rent an enclosed trailer..one way and tow it myself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,090
Likes: 1,972
From: St. Charles MO
U Haul rents theirs for towing behind personally owned vehicles but I'm a bit dubious about their equipment maintenance.
I am getting a few quotes from collector car carriers and it looks like they are in the $600~$800 range. This is worthy of consideration because it insures that it will be in a covered trailer and secure at all times.
I am getting a few quotes from collector car carriers and it looks like they are in the $600~$800 range. This is worthy of consideration because it insures that it will be in a covered trailer and secure at all times.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 337
Likes: 26
From: San Antonio, TX
Do you want an enclosed trailer for the lockability/security, or for protection from the elements? You might see about buying an open trailer on craigslist, put a cloth comforter or blankets over the car, then put a great big tarp over than and hold it in place with some good ratchet straps. Blankets/comforter should keep the tarp material from scratching it, tarp keeps it protected from rain and sun. Heck, you could even do two tarps if you wanted in case one rips (if you're paranoid like me). If you don't want the tarp flying all over the place, you could run straps lengthwise and then down the center of the car as well. Haven't trailered my C$ myself, but used this when Irma came through and we had some pretty bad winds, tarp didn't budge an inch. You can also get open trailers with ramps that will fold up and can be locked in place with a heavy duty padlock or something. Then resell the trailer once your completely done with it, or keep it just-in-case
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I used a U-haul open trailer for mine.
I went from central IL to Phoenix (about 1700 miles) , then about 15 years later I did the return trip with the same trailer. No damage to the car at all. The only thing I did was to remove the front air dams so the car would load easier without marking them. Worked great.
Good luck.
I went from central IL to Phoenix (about 1700 miles) , then about 15 years later I did the return trip with the same trailer. No damage to the car at all. The only thing I did was to remove the front air dams so the car would load easier without marking them. Worked great.
Good luck.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 551
Likes: 42
From: "Exit 8" New Jersey
I don't know of any companies that rent enclosed trailers. U haul is going to be your cheapest solution but if you are set on an enclosed then purchase then sell when back home. The good news is that if you look on eBay and other online sources you will see that there are several manufacturers located in Georgia where you can buy the enclosed trailers directly from the factory for less than 5 grand. The other good news is that enclosed trailers hold their value fairly well. I am constantly looking for used trailers in my area (New Jersey) and when I find them they are usually not much cheaper than if I could go down to Georgia and pick up a new one. So as the guy above said...you could recoup most of your money.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 508
Likes: 89
From: Bowie MD
I hauled my C4 from NW PA to the DC area on an open U-Haul on a one-way rental. I used the stock hitch on an Avalanche and had no problems at all, even going through the mountains. It was all-stock, and no trailer brake.
Remember to watch the nose as you load the car on the trailer. For loading and unloading, I parked with the trailer pointed down-hill, so the ramps were almost level.
Best,
Jerry
Remember to watch the nose as you load the car on the trailer. For loading and unloading, I parked with the trailer pointed down-hill, so the ramps were almost level.
Best,
Jerry