Towing your Vette
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Concord CA
Towing your Vette
I am moving from El Paso, Tx to Newport News, Va. Approx. 2000 miles. I'm renting a Full U-haul trailer, the mph on the trailer says 45. Has anyone ever towed their vettes this far on similar trailers? Any suggestions.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
that is a long way on a u-haul. U-hauls in most casses dont have brakes.
What is your tow vehical ?? and how much wright can you haul??
Fed-Ex ships cars, may be safer and not as expsive as you may first think.
Good Luck
Your going to like VA beach. May good vette guys there
What is your tow vehical ?? and how much wright can you haul??
Fed-Ex ships cars, may be safer and not as expsive as you may first think.
Good Luck
Your going to like VA beach. May good vette guys there
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I've never towed one - but I gotta believe that 45mph number is UHaul's suggested top speed for safety. My suggestion is make triple sure the car is tied down properly and securely. Make damn sure every time you stop for fuel or for the night - before you start off, that the tie downs are still tight. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 58,551
Likes: 95
From: The warm part of Anger Island
St. Jude Donor '09
With that amount of weight you should be O.K. I've seen people tow heavier boats with the same vehicle. But do like BlackSedan said and check the tie downs quite often.
I recently had a bad experience with U-Haul, though. They were over charging me for items and services I didn't use or request. Granted, the dispute was over a whopping $7.00 but, it's the principle of the issue that pizzed me off. If they get that much... what will they try next?
I recently had a bad experience with U-Haul, though. They were over charging me for items and services I didn't use or request. Granted, the dispute was over a whopping $7.00 but, it's the principle of the issue that pizzed me off. If they get that much... what will they try next?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
I've never towed one - but I gotta believe that 45mph number is UHaul's suggested top speed for safety. My suggestion is make triple sure the car is tied down properly and securely. Make damn sure every time you stop for fuel or for the night - before you start off, that the tie downs are still tight.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 785
Likes: 1
From: Middletown PA
Doesn't U-haul have regular car transporter trailers? I would think they would have hydraulic surge brakes on them. It would definitely be better to have a trailer with brakes on it, especially when you are going that far and will be hitting some mountains.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by rwsr50
Doesn't U-haul have regular car transporter trailers? I would think they would have hydraulic surge brakes on them. It would definitely be better to have a trailer with brakes on it, especially when you are going that far and will be hitting some mountains.
, Who has good rental trailers for a trip like this?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
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
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by combatvet
I'm towing with a 99 Durango 4x2, and the weight is the car and trailer only.
6 or 8 cylinder Durango??? what ever the Durango's towing capcity take 80% of that for saftey. does the Durango have a trannsmission cooler for towing???
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: Santa Monica CA
I would also look into getting some of those body tape / covers you see on the new cars being shipped around, lots of Japanese cars have them. I have also seen wheel covers, etc.
I am sure there is a company making that and you could buy a few rolls to cover the fenders and front from any rocks on that drive. Especially through the mountains getting to Va Beach.
I agree, you are going to love Va Bch, I was stations at Oceana for 4 years, best climate in the US I think...
I am sure there is a company making that and you could buy a few rolls to cover the fenders and front from any rocks on that drive. Especially through the mountains getting to Va Beach.
I agree, you are going to love Va Bch, I was stations at Oceana for 4 years, best climate in the US I think...
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,770
Likes: 0
From: in ur mirror, 'bout to pass.. CA
Funny you should say that... I towed my 00 Camaro SS from Hell Paso to Detroit, MI. Rent a car trailer ($440 one way) and use it to transport the vette. Granted, my tow vehicle (01 Yukon w/ tow package) was a little bigger, but you shouldn't have any problems motoring along at 70 mph. Above that, you'll get some sway in the trailer; I don't recommend it.
Not too many places down there to open the Vette up though.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
towing
I have used U-haul to tow my old Trans-Am twice. Once fron Marin, Ca. to Clermont, Fla., and a few years later back to Ca. 3000 miles one way. No trouble either time. Just make sure the guys check the trailer brakes, tires, and wheel bearings. The 45 mile speed limit is for their liability. I wouldn't recommend it but we ran over 75 most of the trip.