I'll be moving to California next month, and the wife and I are on the do-it-yourself U-Haul plan. With a golden retriever, a couple chinchillas, and some fragile stuff that we don't want to load in the truck, it means that the wife will be driving her car and the Vette will have to go on a trailer behind the U-Haul.

I've never done this before, so saying I'm a bit nervous would be an understatement. What I'm looking for, basically, is any advice somebody might be able to lend who's done this before with regards to pulling a trailer, securing the car, etc., etc., etc. Many thanks in advance! :cheers:

 

It's not difficult. Rent a trailer, not something that fits under the two front wheels and you drag the rear wheels...rent a real trailer and drive your vette onto it. Chain the front and rear ends to the trailer. Apply emergency brake and if you can, put something on the front of the vette to prevent road rash e.g. a car bra.

 

I agree, get a flat bed and drive it on just make sure to secure with the axles not the body. get good straps and you should be alright

 

I don't know how much it would cost to rent that trailer, but I would think you could fined a friend or some one to drive the truck and get em back home for not a ton of money, and drive you're vette ;)

 

If you get under the car you will find a hook point, at least on mine its there. You can safely secure the front of the car there. On the back I would just look for the strongest point that will not bend break or otherwise.

a good idea may be to go to a towing company and find an experienced driver to show you how its done.


[Modified by Southern Comfort, 7:50 PM 5/24/2004]

 

Steve, that's an excellent idea. An ounce of prevention, etc., etc. I saw a 96 Polo Green Vette (with Michigan plates) on a U-haul trailer in our parking lot. It was really strapped down with nylon webs belts and wheel locks under the rear wheels. I remember thinking that the guy had an idea of what he was doing.

 

All good info.... saw one where the guy got 4x4's drilled the center and bolted to the trailer rails (front & back of the wheels) LF & RR to help support movement... thought that was a good idea...

 

I've seen trailers with a shield in front to protect the car being towed from the tow car.
In California its 55 mph when towing, thats a joke. The big rigs go 65 mph.

 

I highly recommend you inspect the trailer very closely. About two years ago I moved my son back home after college from Florida. We rented a moving truck and full car carrier. The first problem ocurred in Georgia. We had a slow air leak on an inner tire whick was bald. One of the rims was bent and wouldn't hold air. In South Carolina we got a flat. Each time we had to wait 3 hours for a repair truck to come out. In New Jersey I was getting off the highway for gas when I heard a strange noise coming from the back. After pulling into a gas station I looked at the trailer and the box beam attached to the hitch was hanging on by 1/4 inch of metal. The box beam was so rusted that I'm surprised I made it as far as sI did. After a few more hours of waiting a towing company came out. I called the rental company and told them that the trailed could not make it to Connecticut and I was leaving it with the towing company. My sone had to drive his car the rest of the way home and I drove the moving truck. The trailer ended up being scrapped. When I got back and dropped off the truck the company wanted to know where their trailer was. I told them if they wanted it they would have to drive to New Jersey and pick it up off the Garden State Parkway. They only wanted to give me $50.00 credit for not being able to use the trailer. After some threatening phone calls they finally gave me all my money back. FYI...the company was Budget. I wish you luck!

 

I don't know about Arizona. In Houston, U-Haul charges around $65 to rent a car trailer. Of course, this was local. Pulling one of theirs "ONE-WAY" would be a different charge. Some of their trailers have a winch cable, so that even if your car doesn't run, you can still winch it onto the trailer. Once the car is on the trailer, I would leave the winch cable attached to the car, and put on all of the straps that come with the trailer. (I know you don't want to see your car pass you on the road.)
As for using one of those 2-wheel contraptions to pull your vette;
You don't want all of those miles playing havoc on the two tires that stay on the ground.
Good luck!!! :thumbs:


[Modified by 1slyder1, 5:50 PM 5/25/2004]

 

Thanks everybody... Fortunately, we're going through U-Haul vs. Budget. I really appreciate all the advice. 55 through California sounds like a bunch of B.S., but then again, I wasn't imagining my piddly truck was gonna be able to go much faster than that, anyway. The trailer rental is $65 bucks, so I think it's definitely gonna be cheaper than having a buddy drive it (although the thought certainly crossed my mind!). With gas prices the way they are, I guess we'll just have to suck it up - it doesn't sound so bad...I guess I just need to really inspect the trailer well before departure, and maybe get some help securing the car from a pro.

Thanks again! :cheers:

 

There's tow hooks in front.. but I'm not sure about in rear. I just put the straps around the ends of the batwing.

Be sure after you get it on ramps... don't open the door all the way or you'll wack the trailer fenders.