Tow Bar
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 64
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From: Cortez Colorado
Tow Bar
So I saw a 03 Z06 today with a tow bar on it and have seen tow bars advertised in Vette catalogs.
My question: do any of you tow anything with your Vette?
I guess I would never have a desire to so but am curious.
My question: do any of you tow anything with your Vette?
I guess I would never have a desire to so but am curious.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 15
From: Richardson TX
'Bout to open a can of worms with this subject....
Do some searching and you'll find some threads on it.
The owner's manual specifically says that the C5 was not designed to tow anything, but then again there's a member on this forum that uses his C5 to tow and launch his 20' boat
Do some searching and you'll find some threads on it.
The owner's manual specifically says that the C5 was not designed to tow anything, but then again there's a member on this forum that uses his C5 to tow and launch his 20' boat
Last edited by PhysicsDude55; Oct 20, 2013 at 03:30 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 190
From: ALL governments are legalized mobsters, so doesn't matter where I live :(
A local club guy has a hitch on his z06 to tow his wheels to the track on a small utility trailer. I don't see anything wrong with this, but towing anything larger would be very odd to say the least!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 377
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From: Jasper Texas
St. Jude Donor '13
Vette has everything you need in a tow vehicle (HP, torque, large brakes and a steel chassis) except traction. Picture a vette trying to pull a boat up a wet boat-ramp. Also, these cars are temperamental enough, so put yourself on the fastrack for drivetrain and suspension repairs.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Anaheim CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2013
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From: Pueblo, CO
Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 568
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From: Dayton, Oregon
Oldtimer
A corvette has the power, traction control, excellent brakes, all it lacks is the structure to support the hitch and the load. The old adage applies "Just because you can doesn't mean you should".
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 470
From: Newark Delaware
A trailer hitch receiver can also be used for a bike rack. I don't have one on my 'Vette but there are times when I would like to take the 'Vette when going to a ride.
K9Leader
Red cars are faster. They did a study on it.
K9Leader
Red cars are faster. They did a study on it.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 377
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From: Jasper Texas
St. Jude Donor '13
I can't see the photo in the post above.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: Jasper Texas
St. Jude Donor '13
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 181
From: Pueblo, CO
But, as the 10th Corvette Commandment states, 'Each Corvette is an individual work of art; judge not and ye shall not be judged.'
Last edited by DanSavage; Oct 21, 2013 at 11:26 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 804
Likes: 4
Getting something rolling or puling it on a flat surface is one thing, stopping it or controlling it in maneuvers is another. The steel frame of C5 might be ok for light towing but the aluminium suspension components are not. All these things were designed to handle 3000 lbs vehicle and do it fine. If you add a 2000# boat & trailer and have to make a sudden stop, say something equivalent to 1/2G than the force is enough to overwhelm the designed capability of the tow vehicle. Car + trailer = 5000#, at 1/2g the suspension has to control 7,500# of force which is twice of the original vehicle weight. Bottom line anything more than a super light trailer is not a smart thing and potentially deadly for the tow operator or the people he shares the road with. Darwin has proven time after time that just because you can do something it don't mean you should