Happy Holidays to all on this forum. I am headed out to pick up my new to me vette this weekend. I am planning on renting a Uhaul auto transport trailer. It is the kind of trailer that gets all four wheels off the ground. Have any of you used this particular one and if so what kind of special considerations were there, ie ground clearance. Thanks.

 

I hauled my C5 Z06 with one and the angle of the ramps was a bit steep. I tore off one of the air dams while backing it off. You might be able to jack up the tongue to level out the ramps enough to clear.

 

You didn't mention where you're transporting to and from but you might want to think of some protection for the car. This time of year in New England there is lots of sand and gravel on the road which could do a number on an open type trailer. Considering it's being hauled right behind the truck which is tossing that stuff you could be a very unhappy camper when you got home.

Just something to consider depending where you are hauling the car.

 

Before buying my own auto trailer I once tried using a U-Haul auto trailer and it was a PITA. My car, however, sat lower and had wider than stock wheels/tires. As mentioned, the ramp angle is severe for the C6. You might want to shim the ramps or park the trailer on an incline when loading/unloading. For me, my tires were literally scraping on metal 'rails' running along the bottom of the trailer. Clearance between the trailer fenders was extremely limited. Ironically, when you dropped the driver's side trailer fender down (so you could open the driver's door to exit the car) there was still a metal plate sticking-up. There was a tall, metal (flange) wheel stop in the front of the trailer that the nose of my car would hit so I had to try backing on the trailer. The U-Haul trailer was a pain compared to other auto trailers I had used...it wasn't critical to use that day so I just blew it off and returned it.

FWIW here are some notes I saved from an old post about using a U-Haul trailer...maybe they'll be helpful. Good luck!

- Find a good spot to load the car. This entails backing the rig up to a slight slope of some sort. The Uhaul place had a perfect spot for me. The ramps pulled straight out and the car drove right on.

- You can put the car on either way. Front first or rear first. I went rear first because of the low spoiler on the front of the car. If you want to load it front first (recommended), you will need a couple of 2x6s to put under the front tires so you clear to front of the trailer and the tires sit where they are supposed to for strapping. If you back the car on, the center of gravity of the car is actually more forward on the trailer because of the short rear end on the car. This causes there to be A LOT of weight on the tongue of the tow vehicle. Not a problem for me with the additional leaf springs.

- Once the car is on, get a moving blanket from Uhaul and wrap the forward facing end of the car with the blanket and secure with packing tape. Don't put tape on the car itself; instead just wrap it tight around the blanket. If you don't, the car will be caked with bugs and will also catch every rock your tow vehicle kicks up.

- FOLD THE SIDE MIRRORS UP. Wrap with a towel and tape.

- Ratchet strap the tires that are in the forward position on the trailer using supplied trailer ratchet strap system. CHECK AT EVERY STOP.

- Loop the safety chains over the suspension on the car FRONT AND REAR. Cut the end off of a couple old socks and put them over the chain where they make contact with your car's suspension if you want. I didn't and sustained no damage...just an idea.

- The vette is still too low to get out of the car through the doors even with the lowered splash guard on the trailer. Be prepared to remove your shoes and climb out the back hatch once it's on the trailer.

- Recheck all connections and ensure the hitch ball is securely latched before moving.

 

Thanks to all that have replied. This is definitely the place for advice. I will be moving the car from OK City to the Little Rock area. Only about 350 miles or so. I may just drive it back if it becomes too much of a pain with Uhaul and it sounds like it may be a pain.

 

driving it back is the answer! good roads and clear forecast for this weekend. enjoy the ride!

 

I agree driving it back or finding another type of trailer to rent would be better. If you look for another trailer make sure it has long ramps (10 ft) to avoid drive on issues. If door to fender clearance is an issue boards under the front and rear wheels on the drivers side can lift the door above the fender. I would not wrap anything around the car while towing. Stuff like that can abrade the paint. Use some painters tape to cover the car like the racers do. You can see the green autobody tape on the front of my Z in my profile picture to the left.

Bill

 

If you do tow the car and you are going to use some kind of cover/wrap to protect from bugs and sand etc., be sure the cover fits tight against the car with no room to flap. I have a friend who trailered a really nice 63 Impala with a cover on it and, the flapping of the cover burned a hole in the paint.

Good luck

 

I-40 is not too bad a drive. Most likely have less damage to the car driving it instead of trailering it. Just stay back 300 feet from the trucks.

 

Congrats on the Corvette purchase, get it home safe and sound then fill out your profile!!

 

Take a buddy with you and drive over. Then you have someone to admire you and your new car as you drive it back.
Heck you can practice the wave. Enjoy it!

 

Thanks again for the responses. I do not think I will survive the wait until Fri/Sat. I have wanted a vette since I was 7 when my uncle bought his C3. He let me drive it when I turned 16. I am now 36 and just finished my fourth tour overseas. Years of saving while deployed and patience has paid off!

 

You sound like a prospective member of The Central Arkansas Corvette Club. Info on CACC website. There are 3 or 4 forum regulars on here.
lebvette is a CACC director and can give you any info you need.
LJ