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A roll back wrecker could be an option depending on the trailer it is being loaded on. The roll back can put the deck even with the trailer and pull the car on, then move a few feet and unload the corvette off his wrecker. But even most roll backs need some wood or ramps to load unload/load a corvette because the deck angle isn’t low enough. And if it doesn’t roll a good wrecker company will have skates- plastic wedges the go under the wheels that will allow the car to slide.
Call a few wrecker companies and ask around. They should just show up when you call them and won’t need to stand around. Most companies don’t want to waste a truck sitting. Talk to members of a local vette club if there is one. Chances are someone had their vette towed and will have some feed back on how the wrecker company handled their vette.
But it all depends on the trailer. I think a roll back is a safer option then a forklift plus the added knowledge of a tow truck operator on how to move a corvette. But Definitely find a good wrecker company. Vox=d&d or a voice guy?
Good Luck!
Those Co-part lots love their forklifts, I was looking at a Z06 a few months ago at one of the lots, it said on the window no engine no trans, but I could see the bell housing still in place so I ask if someone could look and see. They would rather pick it up with a fork lift than just quickly look underneath and see. They sent this picture🤪
Is the rocker panel below passenger side smashed in?
Maybe car slid into a curb, or got crunched being lifted by a forklift, hope it’s ok and just looks like it got damaged from picture.
Either way you can fix it up and have some fun!
I think it's more that the passenger fender is damaged and is sticking out, which makes it look smashed in.
Originally Posted by MertyEOD
A roll back wrecker could be an option depending on the trailer it is being loaded on. The roll back can put the deck even with the trailer and pull the car on, then move a few feet and unload the corvette off his wrecker. But even most roll backs need some wood or ramps to load unload/load a corvette because the deck angle isn’t low enough. And if it doesn’t roll a good wrecker company will have skates- plastic wedges the go under the wheels that will allow the car to slide.
Call a few wrecker companies and ask around. They should just show up when you call them and won’t need to stand around. Most companies don’t want to waste a truck sitting. Talk to members of a local vette club if there is one. Chances are someone had their vette towed and will have some feed back on how the wrecker company handled their vette.
But it all depends on the trailer. I think a roll back is a safer option then a forklift plus the added knowledge of a tow truck operator on how to move a corvette. But Definitely find a good wrecker company. Vox=d&d or a voice guy?
Good Luck!
Thanks! As soon as I get the contact info for the driver I'm going to reach out and come up with a plan for unloading it.
And it's DnD for sure lol. I've done a bit of voice stuff for fun with friends, but I've been playing TTRPGs since 3.5.
Originally Posted by z06801
Those Co-part lots love their forklifts, I was looking at a Z06 a few months ago at one of the lots, it said on the window no engine no trans, but I could see the bell housing still in place so I ask if someone could look and see. They would rather pick it up with a fork lift than just quickly look underneath and see. They sent this picture🤪
Yeah, I know they definitely aren't going to treat the car the way it should be treated. I'm just trying to make sure that I don't cause any damage myself when I unload it, especially because I can't rent a forklift with forks that long, so I'll have to go at it from the side.
Is the rocker panel below passenger side smashed in?
Maybe car slid into a curb, or got crunched being lifted by a forklift, hope it’s ok and just looks like it got damaged from picture.
Either way you can fix it up and have some fun!
Looks the passenger front got pushed over causing the the drivers side headlight it be pushed/buckled up. Hard to really tell from just a picture. Hopefully it’s just maybe a core support. All insurance companies have different thresholds for totaling a car. Car value vs cost to repair.
If the damage is obviously something minor that requires replacing a few parts that would be great. If you could get it running, you might want to take it to a body shop and have them measure everything up to make sure nothing is out of specs. -It doesn’t look that serious just something to keep in mind if you are trying to fit replacement parts and they don’t line up.
I’ve never bought a car from copart, so I don’t know how much info they give you on a car.
Maybe you could find a local yard with the right fork lift to unload then flat bed it from there, with a good operator I’m sure they could take it off without further damage.!
Looks the passenger front got pushed over causing the the drivers side headlight it be pushed/buckled up. Hard to really tell from just a picture. Hopefully it’s just maybe a core support. All insurance companies have different thresholds for totaling a car. Car value vs cost to repair.
If the damage is obviously something minor that requires replacing a few parts that would be great. If you could get it running, you might want to take it to a body shop and have them measure everything up to make sure nothing is out of specs. -It doesn’t look that serious just something to keep in mind if you are trying to fit replacement parts and they don’t line up.
I’ve never bought a car from copart, so I don’t know how much info they give you on a car.
I think it's actually the other way around. The impact looks like it was low on the driver corner and has pushed that corner back, causing the headlight to stick up. My guess is that either the fender got caught on something and that's why it's damaged, or the force from the impact pushed on it hard enough to crack it. I did finally manage to download another picture of the impact on the drivers side.
The rest of the body panels don't look too misaligned (if at all, of course it's hard to tell from just a pic taken a half mile away) so I'm hoping the impact missed the crash bar and just hit the lower radiator support. If the crash bar/frame rail is bent I have a good one ready to be welded in, and a body shop that owes me a few favors. My main concern was the front suspension collapsing and how uneven the car seems to be sitting. Not sure if something got jammed into the suspension in the crash or part of the leaf spring broke, but we'll see once it shows up.
Looks like You’re definitely right. From your comments seems like you gotta pretty good grip on things. Always good to have connection with a body shop. Nice project.
Last edited by MertyEOD; Aug 11, 2022 at 10:31 AM.
So I was able to talk to the shipping company today. Looks like I wont be needing a forklift to unload the car (which I kind of figured). Now I just have to figure out why on the trailer the rear end seems to be sitting so high, and the front so low.
I ran a CarFax and figured out what happened in the accident. Looks like the driver went off the road into a ditch, and then hit a "stationary object". From the front bumper damage it looks like the object was pretty low. Guess I won't really know more until it shows up on Monday/Tuesday.
So I was able to talk to the shipping company today. Looks like I wont be needing a forklift to unload the car (which I kind of figured). Now I just have to figure out why on the trailer the rear end seems to be sitting so high, and the front so low.
I ran a CarFax and figured out what happened in the accident. Looks like the driver went off the road into a ditch, and then hit a "stationary object". From the front bumper damage it looks like the object was pretty low. Guess I won't really know more until it shows up on Monday/Tuesday.
Could just be the way it got tied down, front was maybe cinched down first. Looks like a great project, good luck with it. I’m seriously looking for something similar right now, I have so many parts left over from my race build. looking for something that needs my parts. That I can turn into a DD.
Car was delivered yesterday! No drama unloading (other than the front suspension being totally collapsed). Car runs and "drives", though she does need a lot of work (more than i originally expected, but all fixable).
Frame looks completely untouched, most of the damage was up front and down low.
I'll start a separate thread detailing the car and its restoration. But thank you everyone for the advice and help! It's great to see some forums are still thriving!
Thanks for sharing your insights on handling a delicate situation like moving a Corvette. Your suggestion about using a roll back wrecker sounds like a thoughtful option, especially when dealing with trailers. And you're right; the expertise of a tow truck operator can make a significant difference in ensuring a safe transport.If anyone's looking for equipment like electric forklifts for sale to assist with such operations or other warehouse needs, Angus Lift Trucks has a variety of options. They might just have what you're looking for.Good luck to the OP with their Corvette situation, and kudos for reaching out to the community for advice. It's always great to have a support network for tricky situations like these!
Last edited by MaxDailies; Nov 4, 2023 at 10:18 PM.
Standard 48" forks won't work, and would end up cracking or punching through the flooring. At minimum you'd need a forklift with extended/72" forks. Even with that, the forklift operator will tend to tilt the car back to ensure it doesn't slide off the forks, in which case it could slide up against the metal guard and possibly damage the door or rear quarter panel. I'd certainly avoid using a forklift somehow, no matter what.
Naw! Naw! We wuz real careful wit dem cars. We had customized Towmotors with 12' forks.
Frame damage? We usually lifted them by the roof!. Da frame wuz fine!
