How much weight can a C5 pull (trailer)
11-26-2008, 11:10 AM
#42
Le Mans Master
I wouldn't "tow" anything; but for auto-x next year I will have a very small trailer with race tires and a small toolbox. With proper management of the tongue weight (< 200#) I can't see any issues at all. It's just engineering.
11-26-2008, 01:50 PM
#46
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I believe the owners manual says it is not recommended to tow with the C5. But I have seen posts here with pics of a C5 towing a couple of personal water crafts behind them. Not sure what they weigh, but the posters reported no problems.
Amen!
11-27-2008, 07:57 AM
#56
Lepus-temperamentalus
I'm sure the Corvette engineers also intended for their cars to be supercharged, slammed, springs replaced with coilovers, independent rears swapped for live axles etc. Heck 2 big enough people can exceed the GWVR pretty easily. The point is there's alot of stuff the car wasn't designed to do and the C5 tows alot better then any family sedan.
The hydroformed frame is extremely strong, even stronger then a C4's and certainly much stronger then a unibody. Ever hear of anybody's frame coming apart from towing?
The 'vette certainly is no truck, but for light loads its fine. That being said, from previous personal experience I wouldn't put more then 100 lbs of tongue weight on the hitch.
The hydroformed frame is extremely strong, even stronger then a C4's and certainly much stronger then a unibody. Ever hear of anybody's frame coming apart from towing?
The 'vette certainly is no truck, but for light loads its fine. That being said, from previous personal experience I wouldn't put more then 100 lbs of tongue weight on the hitch.
I agree that the hydroformed frame should be good for just about any load you can hang on it and the engine and transmission should be fine as well.
The area I'm concerned with is the rear suspension. That was NOT designed for towing. It was however, designed for serious loads during racing, so I'd think it would handle LIGHT loads in towing as long as it was driven at moderate speeds. My guess would be no more than about 500 lbs., including the trailer. Past that, I think you'd be playing with fire.
11-27-2008, 09:38 AM
#57
Race Director
I pull a 6x6 utility trailer with 8 track tires, a diamond plate tool box loaded with jack, and tools most weekends during the summer. No issues even at posted + speeds....
11-27-2008, 01:31 PM
#59
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