Towing Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Rockville Maryland
Towing Question
I'm having my car towed for the first time. Called Roadside Assistance and asked for a flatbed towing truck. Oh, the car is being towed to the dealer because it's completely dead.
1) What are the odds that it won't be a flatbedded towing truck?
2) Will the other kind be okay or do any harms to the Vette?
Thank you.
1) What are the odds that it won't be a flatbedded towing truck?
2) Will the other kind be okay or do any harms to the Vette?
Thank you.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by SSR
I'm having my car towed for the first time. Called Roadside Assistance and asked for a flatbed towing truck. Oh, the car is being towed to the dealer because it's completely dead.
1) What are the odds that it won't be a flatbedded towing truck?
2) Will the other kind be okay or do any harms to the Vette?
Thank you.
1) What are the odds that it won't be a flatbedded towing truck?
2) Will the other kind be okay or do any harms to the Vette?
Thank you.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Flatbed or no towing. If they lift the front the rear wheels will turn the transaxle and that is not a good thing. If they lift the rear the nose will not last grinding on the pavement. But if you called for a flatbed you should get one. Most towing companies out there have them now. Second though maybe the nose wouldn't hit. So If they get the rear off the ground you probably be OK. Others will chime in if there's a problem I am sure.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 850
Likes: 2
If the tow truck driver has a couple of boards, they will prevent your vette from dragging. Either way they pull it on, boards will be needed to save them from scuffing your nose. I'm sure you'll be fine...
I guess you decided not to replace the battery yourself?
I guess you decided not to replace the battery yourself?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 29,881
Likes: 4,538
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Flatbed only
Why not see if it's the battery first so that you can avoid towing. Otherwise I would suggest to only use a flatbed, there is no other way to safely transport a Corvette. And make sure that they are careful not to scrape under the nose or rocker panels when loading and unloading your Vette. Maybe a tip will help.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Rockville Maryland
Originally Posted by CE2004
If the tow truck driver has a couple of boards, they will prevent your vette from dragging. Either way they pull it on, boards will be needed to save them from scuffing your nose. I'm sure you'll be fine...
I guess you decided not to replace the battery yourself?
I guess you decided not to replace the battery yourself?
Thank you for all the responses. The flatbed showed up. And for some reason, was able to get my car started. For those that haven't read my other post. My car all of a sudden wouldn't start, tried to jump it a couple of times and it wouldn't turn over.
Anyhow, i'm thinking of taking my car to NTB to have them check the battery voltage and alternator. Then probably will take the car to the dealer and leave it there. The car is still under warranty, a 02 with about 28 thousands miles to it.
Now i'll have to go to the archives to read up on battery before leaving.
Thank you again for all the suggestions and thoughts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 850
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by SSR
Now i'll have to go to the archives to read up on battery before leaving.
Don't chase the problem around with these retail outlets while some slacker hooks up a load-tester to your car.
According to my battery catalog, it's a group 75 battery in your 2002 Corvette. Just go buy one at any local auto parts store, or even Walmart or Target. Put it in yourself, & crank it up. I hate to see you do without your car while it sits in the dealers lot when you haven't eliminated the dead battery. Since batteries are pro-rated, they will most likely charge you for a new one anyway.
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I would insist on the flatbed. This car sits way too low to tow it any other way.
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Race Director
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From: Chicago Burbs, IL
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Originally Posted by CE2004
There are -many- messages on this forum regarding battery problems. The 2004's got another different battery, to try to address the battery failures of prior model years. Since batteries are pro-rated, and your car is 2-3 years old, just spend the $60 for a new battery.
Don't chase the problem around with these retail outlets while some slacker hooks up a load-tester to your car.
According to my battery catalog, it's a group 75 battery in your 2002 Corvette. Just go buy one at any local auto parts store, or even Walmart or Target. Put it in yourself, & crank it up. I hate to see you do without your car while it sits in the dealers lot when you haven't eliminated the dead battery. Since batteries are pro-rated, they will most likely charge you for a new one anyway.
Don't chase the problem around with these retail outlets while some slacker hooks up a load-tester to your car.
According to my battery catalog, it's a group 75 battery in your 2002 Corvette. Just go buy one at any local auto parts store, or even Walmart or Target. Put it in yourself, & crank it up. I hate to see you do without your car while it sits in the dealers lot when you haven't eliminated the dead battery. Since batteries are pro-rated, they will most likely charge you for a new one anyway.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
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Originally Posted by CE2004
There are -many- messages on this forum regarding battery problems. The 2004's got another different battery, to try to address the battery failures of prior model years. Since batteries are pro-rated, and your car is 2-3 years old, just spend the $60 for a new battery.
Don't chase the problem around with these retail outlets while some slacker hooks up a load-tester to your car.
According to my battery catalog, it's a group 75 battery in your 2002 Corvette. Just go buy one at any local auto parts store, or even Walmart or Target. Put it in yourself, & crank it up. I hate to see you do without your car while it sits in the dealers lot when you haven't eliminated the dead battery. Since batteries are pro-rated, they will most likely charge you for a new one anyway.
Don't chase the problem around with these retail outlets while some slacker hooks up a load-tester to your car.
According to my battery catalog, it's a group 75 battery in your 2002 Corvette. Just go buy one at any local auto parts store, or even Walmart or Target. Put it in yourself, & crank it up. I hate to see you do without your car while it sits in the dealers lot when you haven't eliminated the dead battery. Since batteries are pro-rated, they will most likely charge you for a new one anyway.
Don't spend $60 - spend $100 at Costco or Pep Boys and get yourself an Optima Red Top 75/35 or a 34/78. I wouldn't let GM put another leaky Delco in my Vette !
Last edited by blacksedan87; Jul 19, 2004 at 05:52 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 850
Likes: 2
Good points.
Although millions of lead-acid batteries are powering millions of vehicles on our highways, and millions of them don't leak. There are certain operating conditions that would cause a lead-acid battery to leak. Those conditions can occur on -any- vehicle. However, you certainly bring up a good point about the electronics under the battery den. A gel cell battery would definitely help to protect those electronic components under the battery den. For the extra $40-$60 for a gel-cell, it's definitely worth the peace of mind...
I think we'll both agree - replace the battery yourself to possibly avoid the rollback ride, and any dealer service department delays. If I take my car in for service, I'm going to try to eliminate as many possibilities as I can, myself - before I turn it over to a service department.
Although millions of lead-acid batteries are powering millions of vehicles on our highways, and millions of them don't leak. There are certain operating conditions that would cause a lead-acid battery to leak. Those conditions can occur on -any- vehicle. However, you certainly bring up a good point about the electronics under the battery den. A gel cell battery would definitely help to protect those electronic components under the battery den. For the extra $40-$60 for a gel-cell, it's definitely worth the peace of mind...
I think we'll both agree - replace the battery yourself to possibly avoid the rollback ride, and any dealer service department delays. If I take my car in for service, I'm going to try to eliminate as many possibilities as I can, myself - before I turn it over to a service department.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
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Originally Posted by CE2004
Good points.
Although millions of lead-acid batteries are powering millions of vehicles on our highways, and millions of them don't leak. There are certain operating conditions that would cause a lead-acid battery to leak. Those conditions can occur on -any- vehicle. However, you certainly bring up a good point about the electronics under the battery den. A gel cell battery would definitely help to protect those electronic components under the battery den. For the extra $40-$60 for a gel-cell, it's definitely worth the peace of mind...
I think we'll both agree - replace the battery yourself to possibly avoid the rollback ride, and any dealer service department delays. If I take my car in for service, I'm going to try to eliminate as many possibilities as I can, myself - before I turn it over to a service department.
Although millions of lead-acid batteries are powering millions of vehicles on our highways, and millions of them don't leak. There are certain operating conditions that would cause a lead-acid battery to leak. Those conditions can occur on -any- vehicle. However, you certainly bring up a good point about the electronics under the battery den. A gel cell battery would definitely help to protect those electronic components under the battery den. For the extra $40-$60 for a gel-cell, it's definitely worth the peace of mind...
I think we'll both agree - replace the battery yourself to possibly avoid the rollback ride, and any dealer service department delays. If I take my car in for service, I'm going to try to eliminate as many possibilities as I can, myself - before I turn it over to a service department.
The point of avoiding the dealership and the tow - I agree 1000%! Only under the most serious situation where no other possibility exists - would I have my car worked on at the dealer, and towed in. In the case of the originator of this thread - I would have attempted to exhaust all of the possibilities before resorting to the dealer - and I have a GOOD relationship with the dealer's service department!
