quick trailer loading question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: CT
quick trailer loading question
i am going to move my fathers car [c5 z06 / stock height]. i have never had mine on the trailer so this is going to be the first time loading a z06. the trailer has a slight down tail and sits ~ 14" off the ground in the rear.
A: this depicts the trailer deck and dove tail, thin line is pavement
B: this depicts the trailer and ramp extended
C: this depicts the ramp sitting ~ 3" higher on some 2" x 12" wood ramps. ~ 20" length between the 2 levels to ensure the tire gets up on the ramp before the front valance catches the next board
D: a 16 to 20' braced 2 x 12 sitting on the ramp 1/2 way up.
I personally think option C is the best best and will prevent any scraping. my father seems to think he'll need something more along the lines of option D. i'll be build option C tonight and wanted to get some feedback. things won't be smooth if we go to load his car [which is an hour from the house] and it looks like the valance will scrape.
excited to use my new vulcan pro-series straps...
A: this depicts the trailer deck and dove tail, thin line is pavement
B: this depicts the trailer and ramp extended
C: this depicts the ramp sitting ~ 3" higher on some 2" x 12" wood ramps. ~ 20" length between the 2 levels to ensure the tire gets up on the ramp before the front valance catches the next board
D: a 16 to 20' braced 2 x 12 sitting on the ramp 1/2 way up.
I personally think option C is the best best and will prevent any scraping. my father seems to think he'll need something more along the lines of option D. i'll be build option C tonight and wanted to get some feedback. things won't be smooth if we go to load his car [which is an hour from the house] and it looks like the valance will scrape.
excited to use my new vulcan pro-series straps...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,811
Likes: 31
From: Minnetonka MN
St. Jude Donor '06
if you lower the "jack" on the front of the trailer so it raises up the front end and lowers the rear end, i believe just using the ramps should be sufficient enough to get the car up on the trailer. So, that would be Option B. if the Z is at stock hieght, i doubt you will have any problems.
on the trailer i use, i do Option B with raising the jack in the front. my car is SLAMMED to the ground as well.
good luck!
Aj
on the trailer i use, i do Option B with raising the jack in the front. my car is SLAMMED to the ground as well.
good luck!
Aj
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge LA
I had a trailer just like that for my AC Cobra. To keep the back from lowering as the weight is put on it, I used to block up the back (where the ramps connect) and My old ZR-1 could climb on without any extra ramps. The rubber air dam did contact, but no damage was done. Because of the shorter overhang, the C5 should be OK. But whatever method you use, be sure to block the rear, or the angles move a great deal. Also, in my case, the wheel fenders would not let me open the doors (the Cobras doors were higher), so I had to plan an exit in advance.
Regards,
Regards,
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: CT
if you lower the "jack" on the front of the trailer so it raises up the front end and lowers the rear end, i believe just using the ramps should be sufficient enough to get the car up on the trailer. So, that would be Option B. if the Z is at stock hieght, i doubt you will have any problems.
on the trailer i use, i do Option B with raising the jack in the front. my car is SLAMMED to the ground as well.
good luck!
Aj
on the trailer i use, i do Option B with raising the jack in the front. my car is SLAMMED to the ground as well.
good luck!
Aj
I had a trailer just like that for my AC Cobra. To keep the back from lowering as the weight is put on it, I used to block up the back (where the ramps connect) and My old ZR-1 could climb on without any extra ramps. The rubber air dam did contact, but no damage was done. Because of the shorter overhang, the C5 should be OK. But whatever method you use, be sure to block the rear, or the angles move a great deal. Also, in my case, the wheel fenders would not let me open the doors (the Cobras doors were higher), so I had to plan an exit in advance.
Regards,
Regards,
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Frisco Texas
I just moved my ZO6 500 miles. I jacked the trailer jack down until the truck was nearly floating.That makes the trailer lay out nearly flat .To get out of the car (the door hits the fender) we used a floor jack to lift the rear on the drivers side,got out , and let it back down. Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 4
From: Belhaven North Carolina
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I store my Z06 in my enclosed trailer so I am pulling it in and out quite often. As stated in some of the previous posts, I raise the tongue height using the trailer jack and I and am able to pull in and out using just the beaver tail and ramp built into the trailer. I do drag the rubber air dam slightly when the car first starts up the ramp but it does no damage at all.
My doors will not clear the fenders but I have gotten quite good at entering and exiting the car through the window NASCAR style.
My doors will not clear the fenders but I have gotten quite good at entering and exiting the car through the window NASCAR style.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
I store my Z06 in my enclosed trailer so I am pulling it in and out quite often. As stated in some of the previous posts, I raise the tongue height using the trailer jack and I and am able to pull in and out using just the beaver tail and ramp built into the trailer. I do drag the rubber air dam slightly when the car first starts up the ramp but it does no damage at all.
My doors will not clear the fenders but I have gotten quite good at entering and exiting the car through the window NASCAR style.
My doors will not clear the fenders but I have gotten quite good at entering and exiting the car through the window NASCAR style.
Wow.....so clearly your not having a drink before you pull that baby back in.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge LA
Keep in mind that the ramp that forms the "duck-tail" per of the trailer will increase its angle when the tongue is elevated with the wheel jack, which is why I did not do that when I moved my ZR-1 on the AC Cobra trailer I described. It would not handle the increased angle, and counter to my intuition, it was better with the tongue down, not elevated.the doors not clearing is harder than loading the car.
I think you will find it pretty easy when you actually do it. Most important part is it seems from your description that the doors will clear. I know that everyone who has done it probably agrees that getting in and out with the doors shut is worse than loading the car.
Like wayneinvirginia, above, I always wanted a closed trailer. Seems like that is fantastic storage if you do not have garage space. But I just had the open trailer.
I think you will find it pretty easy when you actually do it. Most important part is it seems from your description that the doors will clear. I know that everyone who has done it probably agrees that getting in and out with the doors shut is worse than loading the car.
Like wayneinvirginia, above, I always wanted a closed trailer. Seems like that is fantastic storage if you do not have garage space. But I just had the open trailer.
Last edited by ZR1991; Jan 7, 2009 at 08:46 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: CT
Keep in mind that the ramp that forms the "duck-tail" per of the trailer will increase its angle when the tongue is elevated with the wheel jack, which is why I did not do that when I moved my ZR-1 on the AC Cobra trailer I described. It would not handle the increased angle, and counter to my intuition, it was better with the tongue down, not elevated.the doors not clearing is harder than loading the car.
I think you will find it pretty easy when you actually do it. Most important part is it seems from your description that the doors will clear. I know that everyone who has done it probably agrees that getting in and out with
I think you will find it pretty easy when you actually do it. Most important part is it seems from your description that the doors will clear. I know that everyone who has done it probably agrees that getting in and out with
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge LA
If someone doesn't jump on with the answer in a few minutes, I will walk over (to a parking garage), and measure mine for you. I used to climb out the rear hatch on the ZR-1, but it just occurred to me that you need to use the window like wayneinvirginia described because the ZO6 doesn't have a hatch. Funny as I think of it.. Remember i was doing all these gymnastics with an amputated left leg (below knee), and a prosthetic leg (think I took it off). You would be surprised how good I handle the 6 speeds with that.
I get it for you if someone doesn't in a few minutes.
I get it for you if someone doesn't in a few minutes.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: CT
If someone doesn't jump on with the answer in a few minutes, I will walk over (to a parking garage), and measure mine for you. I used to climb out the rear hatch on the ZR-1, but it just occurred to me that you need to use the window like wayneinvirginia described because the ZO6 doesn't have a hatch. Funny as I think of it.. Remember i was doing all these gymnastics with an amputated left leg (below knee), and a prosthetic leg (think I took it off). You would be surprised how good I handle the 6 speeds with that.
I get it for you if someone doesn't in a few minutes.
I get it for you if someone doesn't in a few minutes.
sorry to hear about your leg, though it is good to hear you didn't let it slow you down too much [jumping in and out of race cars w/ the doors closed].
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge LA
No problem, I was going out to see how dirty it was anyway. I just got back to Baton Rouge from Washington State to where my daughter and her family have recently moved. I got there during the pre Christmas storms, and apparently, it is even worse now.
You in the northwest somewhere?
I usually do not comment about the leg (lost in in 1995), but the trailer incident brought back memories. I think I took of the prosthetic, threw it out, and climbed out after it. Was funny in a perverse way.
The stock height to the bottom of the door is about 9 and a quarter inches. Obviously, that varies, but that is close.
Regards
You in the northwest somewhere?
I usually do not comment about the leg (lost in in 1995), but the trailer incident brought back memories. I think I took of the prosthetic, threw it out, and climbed out after it. Was funny in a perverse way.
The stock height to the bottom of the door is about 9 and a quarter inches. Obviously, that varies, but that is close.
Regards
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: CT
No problem, I was going out to see how dirty it was anyway. I just got back to Baton Rouge from Washington State to where my daughter and her family have recently moved. I got there during the pre Christmas storms, and apparently, it is even worse now.
You in the northwest somewhere?
I usually do not comment about the leg (lost in in 1995), but the trailer incident brought back memories. I think I took of the prosthetic, threw it out, and climbed out after it. Was funny in a perverse way.
The stock height to the bottom of the door is about 9 and a quarter inches. Obviously, that varies, but that is close.
Regards
You in the northwest somewhere?
I usually do not comment about the leg (lost in in 1995), but the trailer incident brought back memories. I think I took of the prosthetic, threw it out, and climbed out after it. Was funny in a perverse way.
The stock height to the bottom of the door is about 9 and a quarter inches. Obviously, that varies, but that is close.
Regards
appreciated, at least i know the door will open.
i am in fairfield connecticut. i wish my camera was charged. despite all the issues it causes the ice is beautiful... 
some of the thinner trees look like arches. the pines are all droopy and reflect the light nicely.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 120
From: Bennett CO
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'10
The last couple of times that I've had the car on the trailer, I back it on, with the short rear on the C-5 I was able to get back far enough that I could open the door to get out, and still keep the weight over the axles on the trailer, but it was a 18' straight deck trailer, and we jacked the front of the trailer up and used longer ramps.