Traveling storage
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
From: Christiansburg Va
Traveling storage
I have settled on the C5, wife likes the HT and me,the convertible , we want to do some light 3-5 day trips so storage is an issue (especially for her)...which has more actual usable storage space? Do both have the hidden storage areas in the rear?, couldn't see one on the HT I looked at.
(being a UVa WaHoo I had to add this little guy....)
(being a UVa WaHoo I had to add this little guy....)
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 195
From: Boxford Massachusetts
I believe that the HT has a bit more usable storage. Bear in mind that the convertible top takes up some of the storage area when the top is down. If you drive with the top up, there storage is probably about the same as the HT.
For me, road noise is an issue. Oddly, the convertible is quieter than the HT, especially with the top down. The top muffles a lot of the sound that comes from the rear wheels.
There is a guy (not a forum sponsor) who sells a luggage rack that you can attach to the trunk lid of the convertible.
For me, road noise is an issue. Oddly, the convertible is quieter than the HT, especially with the top down. The top muffles a lot of the sound that comes from the rear wheels.
There is a guy (not a forum sponsor) who sells a luggage rack that you can attach to the trunk lid of the convertible.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 79
Likes: 3
From: NC
We have a 2004 A4 HT. We go on 3-5-7+10 day trips with no problems. We have 2 identical AT carry-on bags; 1 for her, 1 for me. Common items get packed around those. Hanging clothes get layed on top... The HT does have 3 small storage bins but I use those for tools and other mechanical supplies. The 12 disc changer is in the middle (larger) bin so limited space there. We used to travel on a motorcycle. Left bag mine, right bag hers, trunk for common items. Can't speculate on a vert, but would suspect less room there because of top storage space intruding on luggage space. Good luck with the resolution! Let us know what you decide!
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 5
From: Nebraska
I would love a link for the luggage rack. We too have vert and the added space would be nice and the fact that we can remove it is a bonus. Reminicent of the C-3s luggage rack??
Edit
Found it. $400. .... Pass.
Edit
Found it. $400. .... Pass.
Last edited by Drummingdad; Jun 15, 2015 at 10:03 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 146
Likes: 30
From: Perry OH
I have a C5 coupe- and some close friends have the C5 convertible. The Coupe has a lot of space- but it's only about 12" - 15" deep if you want to have vision out the back.
We took an 8900 mile trip to CA from OH via Route 66 in a Mustang coupe; the way we handled it was to lay a large suitcase, open, over the trunk floor- 1/2 hers, 1/2 mine. In this we had t-shirts, shorts, jeans etc.- then we each had our overnight duffle. Each night we took in the laptop, our duffles and the clothes for the morning, a separate bag of booze and that's it.
Hanging clothes were on a hanging rod- not possible in the Corvette. I don't think we really NEEDED any hanging clothes, though, in retrospect.
We tried to stay at motels where we could back up to the room door- so the car was a few steps from the room. Best Westerns come to mind. It all worked out fine.
We took an 8900 mile trip to CA from OH via Route 66 in a Mustang coupe; the way we handled it was to lay a large suitcase, open, over the trunk floor- 1/2 hers, 1/2 mine. In this we had t-shirts, shorts, jeans etc.- then we each had our overnight duffle. Each night we took in the laptop, our duffles and the clothes for the morning, a separate bag of booze and that's it.
Hanging clothes were on a hanging rod- not possible in the Corvette. I don't think we really NEEDED any hanging clothes, though, in retrospect.
We tried to stay at motels where we could back up to the room door- so the car was a few steps from the room. Best Westerns come to mind. It all worked out fine.
Last edited by MikeWyatt; Jun 15, 2015 at 09:31 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 27
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From: St. Louis MO
Can fit two suitcases in my convertible with the top down. But we don't take many trips via auto. So the thing important to me was being able to put two sets of golf clubs in the trunk with the top down and my 01 allows for that. Enjoy the trips.
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If you plan to drop the top, I would say the FRC has a bit more storage space in it. If you pack carefully, it should be enough.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,069
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From: Central Ma
One of the main reasons for not buying a C7 vert is the lack of space with the top down.
Traveling with the top down on our C5 vert gives us plenty of storage.
Two sets of golf clubs are awfully bulky and they fit.
Traveling with the top down on our C5 vert gives us plenty of storage.
Two sets of golf clubs are awfully bulky and they fit.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: South Central PA
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
I've done a few 3-5 day trips with my C5 vert. No issues if you plan ahead. Obviously you won't be able to take as much as you would in a larger car, but you'd be surprised how much you can fit in the trunk. I think I read somewhere the vert and coupe had comparable space when the top was up. Also, keep in mind, if you don't pack to the coupe's window (and lose all visibility out your rear window), you're no better off with the coupe. Duffle bags are nice since they can "squeeze" into places. The only negative was finding a place for our snacks and drinks. They would go in the backseat of our other cars. My trips have all included a lot of highway miles get there and back, so the top was up giving plenty of room. But once there, the top went down.
One piece of advice, the storage compartments under the rear floor are very close to the mufflers. Don't put anything there that could melt.
One piece of advice, the storage compartments under the rear floor are very close to the mufflers. Don't put anything there that could melt.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,103
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From: Newark Delaware
I have settled on the C5, wife likes the HT and me,the convertible , we want to do some light 3-5 day trips so storage is an issue (especially for her)...which has more actual usable storage space? Do both have the hidden storage areas in the rear?, couldn't see one on the HT I looked at.
(being a UVa WaHoo I had to add this little guy....)
(being a UVa WaHoo I had to add this little guy....)Hey, Buzz and Todd did it for what, three or four years? See the USA in your Chevrolet (with the top down).
K9Leader
Red cars are faster. They did a study.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 565
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From: Bedford VA
From a fellow Wahoo (Engr '77), I have had both. Both have the underfloor storage compartments. I have a divider between the trunk and top storage area in my vert and have never had a problem with storage for a few day trip, and my wife packs a lot more than we generally need. With the top up and divider down, there is almost as much storage in the vert as the coupe unless you have a tall or large box you need to carry. Love my vert, nothing like top down cruising. We don't take road trips at 70 mph or so with the top down though.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 257
Likes: 7
From: Shady Shores Texas
I have settled on the C5, wife likes the HT and me,the convertible , we want to do some light 3-5 day trips so storage is an issue (especially for her)...which has more actual usable storage space? Do both have the hidden storage areas in the rear?, couldn't see one on the HT I looked at.
(being a UVa WaHoo I had to add this little guy....)
(being a UVa WaHoo I had to add this little guy....)I'd say, keep the wife happy, limit your potential for nagging down the road (literally) and go with the HT.
Storage space? If you think you're going to change her mind on 2-4 cuft of storage space from the almost completely different look of a HT to a vert...then man you are a good salesman.
AND, if by HT you mean coupe, then hell, best of both worlds!
By the way, I just did a trip and took 2 duffle bags, 1 shoe bag, 1 gigantic purse
, 3 other little bags (one had 4 beach towels) and a guitar with a hard case and a bunch of misc cleaning supplies and a gallon of coolent and huge jumper cables in the (big) little compartment. All this with the targa sitting in the back.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 152
Likes: 2
From: Pine Brook NJ
It's amazing how much crap you can squeeze into a FRC. Last summer my 13 year old son and I took a 3 week coast-to-coast trip. Soft luggage is the way to go. We were hitting a bunch of national parks along the way so be brought our camping equipment and we even brought our ski gear (excluding skis and poles) so we could ski Mt. Hood. The C5 is an excellent road trip car. Can't wait to go again.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 197
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From: Lindstrom MN
St. Jude Donor '15, '17
We went down to the Museum in Bowling Green last year and took one carry on suite case, one duffle bag, two bag chairs, and a soft side cooler. I put my cleaning supplies in the storage compartment along with a jack, compressor, and tire repair kit. On the way home since we knew top would stay up, we added two cases of Yuengling long necks and a case of wine. You can pile a lot into one of these verts with a little planning.