Trailer question NO FLAMES PLEASE
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,024
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From: Warrenton VA
Trailer question NO FLAMES PLEASE
I am getting more and more into motorcycle racing and I want to pull a small trailer with the CE any one ever tried this before. No getting another beater is not an option.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: Trailer question NO FLAMES PLEASE (jstyle)
There are a number of people who pull (very) small trailers for hauling autocross tires and some tools to events or those small teardrop shaped trailers for extra gear when traveling. The key will be in the amount of weight you wil lbe pulling and the tongue weight.
I would think that a reasonable maximum trailer weight would be around 500lbs and a tongue weight of not over 100lbs. The rear crossmember is aluminum and it won't take the forces excerted by a heavier trailer. IF you look at the maximum weight carrying capacity for a Vette, it's pretty low, around 400lbs. That includes, driver, passenger and anything you put in the car so you would have to add tongue weight to that.
Another 100lbs. or so at the rear will efectively lower the rear of the car so you have to consider ground clearance too. Where wil you take your bike to race? Off-road? Will you have to travel any dirt roads to get there?
If you are towing a single bike on a very lightweight trailer, you may get by, you just have to calculate the figures and see what you come up with.
I would think that a reasonable maximum trailer weight would be around 500lbs and a tongue weight of not over 100lbs. The rear crossmember is aluminum and it won't take the forces excerted by a heavier trailer. IF you look at the maximum weight carrying capacity for a Vette, it's pretty low, around 400lbs. That includes, driver, passenger and anything you put in the car so you would have to add tongue weight to that.
Another 100lbs. or so at the rear will efectively lower the rear of the car so you have to consider ground clearance too. Where wil you take your bike to race? Off-road? Will you have to travel any dirt roads to get there?
If you are towing a single bike on a very lightweight trailer, you may get by, you just have to calculate the figures and see what you come up with.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Trailer question NO FLAMES PLEASE (jstyle)
The operating manual clearly states , "do not attach a trailer to your corvette". Aluminum has very poor fatique strength and the flexing it will undergo with a trailer will make it fail and one day your motorcycle will pass you up!
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
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Re: Trailer question NO FLAMES PLEASE (jfb)
The operating manual clearly states , "do not attach a trailer to your corvette". Aluminum has very poor fatique strength and the flexing it will undergo with a trailer will make it fail and one day your motorcycle will pass you up!
My advice would be, get a pick up truck.
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From: Almost all Skyline Cruises Vettes at Waterside 1-5
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Re: Trailer question NO FLAMES PLEASE (jfb)
The operating manual clearly states , "do not attach a trailer to your corvette". Aluminum has very poor fatique strength and the flexing it will undergo with a trailer will make it fail and one day your motorcycle will pass you up!
:seeya
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,010
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From: Somewhere nowhere
Re: Trailer question NO FLAMES PLEASE
there are 2 companies that make a hitch designed for the C4. I believe Reese and someone else. you certainly have enough power and braking to tow with.
I've seen guys tow at least 500 pounds on a regular basis
200 + in track tires.
200 + in tools and gear.
200 + in trailer weight.
it's doable
I've seen guys tow at least 500 pounds on a regular basis
200 + in track tires.
200 + in tools and gear.
200 + in trailer weight.
it's doable
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 183
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From: San Jose CA
Re: Trailer question NO FLAMES PLEASE (jstyle)
FYI I used to tow my MG Midget race car with my 86 Z-51 automatic (approx. 2500#) . You want to talk about looks on the freeway! The Vette tows great as long as the hitch is installed by a pro who attaches it to the steel rear frame cross brace. I still had use of my spare tire. :party:
