MAX. Towing Capacity???
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 523
Likes: 7
From: Austin,TX USA
Re: MAX. Towing Capacity??? (Steve02C5)
engine & trans would probably be up to it. However the car is too light, and too short. Definately not recommended. Not to mention difficult in mounting class III or higher hitch.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: South Lyon Michigan
Re: MAX. Towing Capacity??? (y5e06)
Please tell me your not going to attempt to pull a horse trailer with a 93 vette, the vette is much too light/small and you surely will be exceding the max towing capacity. 2.59 gears in a Dana 36 is not meant to tow. The max towing capacity should be about 2,000 pounds, if you look at the rear frame brackets they are all aluminum on the backhalf of the car and can't take too much pulling.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Re: MAX. Towing Capacity??? (jp2002ls1)
Based on various folks cooling problems, I dount that the stock cooling system could handle a bunch more low speed load either.
2,000 lb sounds easy with seme driving caution. 3,000 lb would be pushing it. 4,000 lb would be nuts.
You don't want to pull more than the towing vehicle weighs without some special provisions.
Dick
2,000 lb sounds easy with seme driving caution. 3,000 lb would be pushing it. 4,000 lb would be nuts.
You don't want to pull more than the towing vehicle weighs without some special provisions.
Dick
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 4
From: Middle River MD
Re: MAX. Towing Capacity??? (xs650)
Don't know if it was safe but my dad towed a 20 ft Cigarette with his 78 silver anny 25 yrs ago. I'd say the total rig weighed about 4000lbs! I was only 7 at the time but I remember the front end looking very light when he was trying to get it up the ramp. Yeah he's pretty crazy. :lol:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,816
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX
Re: MAX. Towing Capacity??? (Steve02C5)
Engine and drivetrain would probably hold up fine. Only problem is you'd leave the back quarter of the car on the ground with the trailer. C4's are unibody construction with relatively thin steel in the cage. There is no 'frame' like in c3's or c5's, so nothing substantial to bolt a good class 3 hitch to.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: MAX. Towing Capacity??? (Steve02C5)
The owner's manual states that you should not tow a trailer. Having read that and seen a number of C4's towing small trailers, I would think that towing something like 400-500 pounds would be about the limit. In fact, my 92 GVWR sticker states the total load capacity is no more than 400lbs!
The rear crossmember is aluminum so it would not take anywhere near the typical tongue weight of 10% of the loaded trailer weight. A class III hitch would not fit and you probably wouldn't find a reputable shop that would build and install one for you.
This is not a good idea at all. Think 3/4 to 1 ton pickup or full size SUV like a Suburban. Use Load Range E tires, HD brakes, HD radiator, auto trans with cooler, trailer brake system and anti-sway bars on the hitch.
The rear crossmember is aluminum so it would not take anywhere near the typical tongue weight of 10% of the loaded trailer weight. A class III hitch would not fit and you probably wouldn't find a reputable shop that would build and install one for you.
This is not a good idea at all. Think 3/4 to 1 ton pickup or full size SUV like a Suburban. Use Load Range E tires, HD brakes, HD radiator, auto trans with cooler, trailer brake system and anti-sway bars on the hitch.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 375
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From: Aurora Co
Re: MAX. Towing Capacity??? (Steve02C5)
Interesting comments on this thread! I bought my '86 coupe in Oct 2003 after I got back from a road trip to Mesquite, Nev (48 guys for 3 days of golf and gambling)! My friend and I took my Dakota PU, but I'm thinking about taking the Vette in Oct '04. I don't know if there will be enough room for 2 sets of clubs, luggage, etc and have thought about adding a hitch to tow a light 4'x6' trailer. Another friend has a '01 Gold Wing and had a small travel trailer built, color schemed to match his bike, so he and wife can pack some stuff. After 50 years of Corvettes, someone must know how to tow a trailer. Besides, if Jesse James can turn a Corvette into a mud bogger, can a Corvette SUV be far behind?!? Maybe, the "Corvette Paprika"?
Elite Torch Red Member
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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Re: MAX. Towing Capacity??? (RichD1986)
I knew a guy with an '86 who towed a 4 x 8 box trailer(I believe the box height was 6'). No idea of the weight, but he drove to FLA and back. I only know this because I passed him on I-95 in FLA and I saw him in there, but he didn't see me. I thought he was nuts, but he did it.
Honestly I wouldn't recommend it. If your talking horse and trailer, that's gonna weigh more than the car!
Honestly I wouldn't recommend it. If your talking horse and trailer, that's gonna weigh more than the car!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,594
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From: CALGARY ab
Re: MAX. Towing Capacity??? (Steve02C5)
for MY93 with auto and 2.59 gear???
Friend considering towing trailer w/ horse and is curious.
Thanks
Friend considering towing trailer w/ horse and is curious.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: MAX. Towing Capacity??? (RichD1986)
Interesting comments on this thread! I bought my '86 coupe in Oct 2003 after I got back from a road trip to Mesquite, Nev (48 guys for 3 days of golf and gambling)! My friend and I took my Dakota PU, but I'm thinking about taking the Vette in Oct '04. I don't know if there will be enough room for 2 sets of clubs, luggage, etc and have thought about adding a hitch to tow a light 4'x6' trailer. Another friend has a '01 Gold Wing and had a small travel trailer built, color schemed to match his bike, so he and wife can pack some stuff. After 50 years of Corvettes, someone must know how to tow a trailer. Besides, if Jesse James can turn a Corvette into a mud bogger, can a Corvette SUV be far behind?!? Maybe, the "Corvette Paprika"?
Reese makes a very light weight receiver-type hitch for C4's :
click here
The gross weight and tongue weights shown on that page are nowhere near what I would think the max load should be. 200-300 pounds and a tongue weight of around 50-75 lbs. would be about the most I would tow with. Some of the autocrossers here use those 4'x3' trailers from Harbor Freight to tow a set of race wheels and tires and a storage box for some support equipment.
[Modified by Mr Mojo, 9:36 PM 1/6/2004]
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From: HOME OF THE FREE. BECAUSE OF OUR BRAVE. Babylon NY
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '20
Re: MAX. Towing Capacity???
Better idea : Have the horse tow the Vette !
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 475
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From: cincinnati oh
Re: MAX. Towing Capacity??? (FrankUrbinati)
This is one of the funnest things I have ever read on this forum!!!! :lolg: Not to mention one of the stupidest! :crazy:
Come on, its a corvette not a blazer. If he is going to do things like this with the vette sell it dont be silly
Come on, its a corvette not a blazer. If he is going to do things like this with the vette sell it dont be silly
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 578
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From: Raleigh NC
Re: MAX. Towing Capacity??? (vettespd20)
I am gonna agree with everyone else, towing a horse trailer with a vette would not be in your best interest. I think they are right to suggest you get a real tow vehicle.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Renaissance Festival TAZ the Wolfdog (R.I.P.)
Re: MAX. Towing Capacity??? (jfb)
Thanks, I agree with you and others, a Vette shouldn't be used for towing. The friend I originally referenced was my girlfriend who I think was prodding me to get her a truck for hauling her horse around by threatening to use her Vette as a truck; so I appeased her by asking the question.
Again, thank you all for the responses, she tends to listen to others more than I - know what I mean??? :D
Again, thank you all for the responses, she tends to listen to others more than I - know what I mean??? :D