[Z06] Pulling trailer with Z06
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Pulling trailer with Z06
I've just finished my small tire trailer and mounted the draw-tite hitch this weekend. Last night I wanted to do a test run to see how things worked out an had something odd.
While parked in the driveway with the trailer attached and lights hooked up I noticed in the display on the dash the following:
Service Traction System
Service Active Handling
I thought great something has now just gone wrong even though it was fine 5 minutes before when I backed it up to the trailer. I drove the car about 2 miles on a test then took off the trailer and the messages now don't appear
I thought maybe there is something that sensed the weight on the hitch to the rear of the car so I stood on the hitch without the trailer and got no messages.
Anyone have an idea what's up here?
While parked in the driveway with the trailer attached and lights hooked up I noticed in the display on the dash the following:
Service Traction System
Service Active Handling
I thought great something has now just gone wrong even though it was fine 5 minutes before when I backed it up to the trailer. I drove the car about 2 miles on a test then took off the trailer and the messages now don't appear
I thought maybe there is something that sensed the weight on the hitch to the rear of the car so I stood on the hitch without the trailer and got no messages.
Anyone have an idea what's up here?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 5
From: Jupiter FL
Not a clue on what could have caused the codes, but... Where did you get your trailer and hitch?? I've been thinking about that as an option for a set of track wheels/tires. What kind of trailer? Did you do the wiring for the trailer yourself? If so, any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
From: Denver CO
If messages showed up after trailer lights were hooked up, it could be related to stop lamp circuit. The stability system reads brake switch input and does self diagnosictics based on feedback thru bulbs. If you added more bulbs for your trailer it could be sensing a feedback out of range. The same thing could possibly happen if you have the wrong bulbs, a bulb out, etc.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Sometimes if you overdraw the system it'll pop codes. However I've never had this happen and I didn't run a booster in the system, I simply tapped into the existing harness.
For those of you who say buy a truck why don't yo give me 20k?
It's far better to get a trailer w/ a box to carry your tools and slicks.
For those of you who say buy a truck why don't yo give me 20k?
It's far better to get a trailer w/ a box to carry your tools and slicks.
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 573
Likes: 6
From: Wichita KS
Dolfan,
Check all your wiring again. Maybe you have a short somewhere, including on the trailer. I just finished this setup and have had no problems so far. Despite what others say, there are lots of us pulling small tailers with the Z. Not all have pockets deep enough to buy a tow vehicle and trailer.
Dave G.
Check all your wiring again. Maybe you have a short somewhere, including on the trailer. I just finished this setup and have had no problems so far. Despite what others say, there are lots of us pulling small tailers with the Z. Not all have pockets deep enough to buy a tow vehicle and trailer.
Dave G.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 31
From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
If you're going to track the car, I see no problem with a light trailer for tires and tools. Someone on this forum has a pic in their My Corvette Photos. It isn't like someone's trying to pull a boat. In this case a trailer allows you to drive to the track and carry on with the Vette in the manner it was designed to.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,847
Likes: 10
From: Bartlett, IL
Cruise-In XI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by skeet
To me, pulling a trailer with a Z06 is like putting a snow plow on the front - I see no difference.
Its just a tire trailer (incase you didnt notice there isnt enough room to haul a couple sets of tires in the back of the car). If you have ever been to a HPDE you would see alot of cars with small light trailers for towing tires and tools. Short of buying a truck with a car trailer and towing the Vette and all of the extra tires/tools this is a great way to get yourself and your gear to the races.
Nothing like putting a snow plow on the front
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
I always hate posting questions like this cause I know the comments will come but at the end of the day this setup allows me to make sure my car is at driving events and being used to it's potential and not parked in a garage, or costing me another $10-$40K when you consider towing vehicle/trailer/storage & garage construction. I already have a 3 car garage and two corvettes, but there is a limit!
Thanks for the input from folks, I wonder is switching to LED type bulbs on the trailer might reduce draw and resolve the problem.
Thanks for the input from folks, I wonder is switching to LED type bulbs on the trailer might reduce draw and resolve the problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Here's my setup... f$ck the haterz yo! 
Yes this is just like putting a plow on the car... idiots. Oh and I've even towed my jetski with it
And no it didn't break. However I was just moving the ski, not launching it.
Yes this is just like putting a plow on the car... idiots. Oh and I've even towed my jetski with it
And no it didn't break. However I was just moving the ski, not launching it.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 6
From: Alamosa CO
Originally Posted by Cobra4B
Here's my setup... f$ck the haterz yo!
Yes this is just like putting a plow on the car... idiots. Oh and I've even towed my jetski with it And no it didn't break. However I was just moving the ski, not launching it.
Yes this is just like putting a plow on the car... idiots. Oh and I've even towed my jetski with it
And no it didn't break. However I was just moving the ski, not launching it.
Well said Brian! Pulling a tire/tool trailer to a DE is very common among Z06 owners, and doesn't hurt the car one bit!Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Originally Posted by G5x4Drag
I say buy a pos ranger and throw the shiZ in the back... You can buy a new 1 for like 9 Grand.. and a 2000 for like 3 grand.. 
Good luck man.. Sorry I was revin you 
Good luck man.. Sorry I was revin you
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 5
From: Jupiter FL
Originally Posted by Cobra4B
A POS ranger cannot tow a Z06 to the track... dude is wanting to tow tools/tires for HPDE use. This is very common for Z06 people who actually use their cars. He's not trying to pull a fricken uhaul.
http://www.uhaul.com/guide/?equipment=sporttrailer
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
well I just ordered a Modulite Lite module, like this ( http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/electrical/modulite.htm )to put in the Z06, this will totally remove any issue with the brake/light circuit. For just $30 it seem like the best choice.
As for the current wiring, I can't image a short as I just used the typcial wiring attach terminals on three wires at the plug to the rear lights, and put a terminal end on the ground mounted to the frame.
I do think the idea of maybe they being an issue on the trailer might be cause for more investigation. ALthough all the lights, wire, and trailer are brand new?????
As for the current wiring, I can't image a short as I just used the typcial wiring attach terminals on three wires at the plug to the rear lights, and put a terminal end on the ground mounted to the frame.
I do think the idea of maybe they being an issue on the trailer might be cause for more investigation. ALthough all the lights, wire, and trailer are brand new?????
