Trailering a C6
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 908
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Trailering a C6
The FAQ has a 3 post thread on this. Someone said use T hooks in the body slots, Ken said they ship the vette with tire tie-downs.
Does anyone have any difinitive instructions on how to trailer a C6?? Can you use straps on the suspension? How about some FAQ quality DIY instructions with pics if possible. If I rent an auto trailer, where and how do I tie it down to both the car and the trailer?
Does anyone have any difinitive instructions on how to trailer a C6?? Can you use straps on the suspension? How about some FAQ quality DIY instructions with pics if possible. If I rent an auto trailer, where and how do I tie it down to both the car and the trailer?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 78
From: Miami FL
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'17,'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
While you are waiting for the guys who REALLY know to reply, from a first-principles-of-physics approach, I would tie down to the shipping slots in the frame, to compress the suspension, and minimize the bouncing of the suspension that would go along with just wrapping tie-downs over the tires. You might get some weird resonances going between the trailer suspension and the C6 suspension.
That being said, I would also tie down the tires too, just as a safety precaution.
That being said, I would also tie down the tires too, just as a safety precaution.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
The FAQ has a 3 post thread on this. Someone said use T hooks in the body slots, Ken said they ship the vette with tire tie-downs.
Does anyone have any difinitive instructions on how to trailer a C6?? Can you use straps on the suspension? How about some FAQ quality DIY instructions with pics if possible. If I rent an auto trailer, where and how do I tie it down to both the car and the trailer?
Does anyone have any difinitive instructions on how to trailer a C6?? Can you use straps on the suspension? How about some FAQ quality DIY instructions with pics if possible. If I rent an auto trailer, where and how do I tie it down to both the car and the trailer?
Also order 4 (maybe 5 in case you lose 1) t-hooks from them too. They are in the accessory part and look like this
Starting with the front just clip the long end of the strap to t-hook and the short end to the trailer. With the strap all the way out toss the t-hook under your car to the opposite side of where it is hooked to the trailer. Reach underneath your car and slide the t-hook in. Do the same for the other side so that the straps cross each other.
Basically do the same for the back.
Its raining out otherwise I would load my car up on the trailer and take pictures as I am doing it.
BTW - what type of tow vehicle do you have because that might be your first question.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
t- hooks work the best, Wheel tie downs are fine too.
Suppension tie downs should not be used. Why? ppl tend to ratched down too tight and bend the A-arms ever so slightly
5000 lbs straps min
Suppension tie downs should not be used. Why? ppl tend to ratched down too tight and bend the A-arms ever so slightly
5000 lbs straps min
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,488
Likes: 27
From: Long Island NY
I noticed that Snappin' Turtle offers a few different T-hooks. The hook in the photo above is called a "Ford / Universal" hook... they also offer a "GM" hook that looks different. Wonder which fits best in the C6 frame holes?
Here's the "GM" hook:
Here's the "GM" hook:
Last edited by Vet; Apr 18, 2007 at 10:00 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 908
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Yeah, good question on the type of trailer. Were are moving later this fall and I don't know yet, but I plan on renting a uhaul or something equivilent with some sort of a flatbed that can be hitched up to the back of the uhaul truck.
Should the car be left in neutral with the parking brake off? It would seem logical, but I have no experience with this sort of thing.
Should the car be left in neutral with the parking brake off? It would seem logical, but I have no experience with this sort of thing.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
people recommend neutral and parking brake on, but I run in gear and parking brake on because I never really trusted the vette e-brake.
Now the bigger issue - without the right setup trailer, tow vehicle, brakes, hitch, etc I would not attempt to tow my vette. Towing a car is very dangerous and without the proper setup you can easily be in big problems before you have time to react. Even with the correct setup you should first drive with just the trailer then add the car later and stay local then after some practice attempt going further. This will at least give you a feel of what it is like before heading out.
In the long run it might be cheaper to have a transport company do the work for you.
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
As Wicked mentioned, What is your tow vehical ?? 1500 min, more like 1500HD min, better would be 2500, or 3500. Little SUVs are not going to make it. or not for long.
Vette is 3500, open trailer is 1500, junk you take with you 500 lbs That is 5500 lbs, not counting you and any passangers.
So your looking at 5500-6000 lbs towing capcisty. More like 7500lbs for safty, that is a 1500 V8 pick up truck. Then again going up and down those long TXs hill country and any mountains is not easy, nor with cross winds.
Brakes are the next issue. The trailer needs electric brakes on each axle. Then your tow vehical, Needs very good brakes,
Tow vehical also needs that towing package of oil and transmission coolers, heavery suppenions and better brakes.
Good luck and be safe out there.
Vette is 3500, open trailer is 1500, junk you take with you 500 lbs That is 5500 lbs, not counting you and any passangers.
So your looking at 5500-6000 lbs towing capcisty. More like 7500lbs for safty, that is a 1500 V8 pick up truck. Then again going up and down those long TXs hill country and any mountains is not easy, nor with cross winds.
Brakes are the next issue. The trailer needs electric brakes on each axle. Then your tow vehical, Needs very good brakes,
Tow vehical also needs that towing package of oil and transmission coolers, heavery suppenions and better brakes.
Good luck and be safe out there.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
a U-haul truck?? How far are you moving?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 2
From: Marengo Illinois
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
You can get the T hooks from Northern Tool and I bought my tie downs from Mac's Custom Tie-Downs. They're Ultra pack comes with
4-8' 10K # straps, 4 axle straps and a nylon bag for everything only
$150.00. Excellent quality, quick service, and less money than
snappinturtle.
4-8' 10K # straps, 4 axle straps and a nylon bag for everything only
$150.00. Excellent quality, quick service, and less money than
snappinturtle.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 908
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
I'm in the military. They will move everything for us. But having moved 3-4 times already by the military and getting stuff broken, we have decided to Uhaul a few special items (antiques, big screen tv, etc) when we move from Tx to UT. I hope to rent the appropriate rig to move a few items plus tow the vette on a trailer. I have seen this before while on the interstate.
Thanks for the comments on truck size and weight!!
Thanks for the comments on truck size and weight!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 812
Likes: 20
From: www.shockerracing.com
Buster, I am a Uhaul Dealer and if you are going to be moving just a few precious items you can probably go with the 10' Box truck which is now equipped to tow a uhaul Auto Transport. The Auto Transports will have the 2 front tire tie downs on them along with a safety chain centered in the front and back of the vehicle. I would wrap the safety chain up and through the suspension in the front and back and make sure it is pretty tight. If it were my car I would definitely set the E-brake and since mine is an '05 I would have to leave the car in reverse. Also, the Uhaul Auto Transports have the wheel well that folds down on the driver side to give you more clearance to open your driver door once you load the car up. Let me know if you have any other questions.
I took this pic one day for a uhaul display contest just for fun! No, I do not have a hitch on the back of my C6 nor would Uhaul allow anyone to pull an Auto Transport with a Corvette! But it was fun setting it up!
I took this pic one day for a uhaul display contest just for fun! No, I do not have a hitch on the back of my C6 nor would Uhaul allow anyone to pull an Auto Transport with a Corvette! But it was fun setting it up!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,488
Likes: 27
From: Long Island NY
Thanks guys.
Quick question:
When a C6 needs to be pulled up onto a flatbed using the flatbed's winch, what is the proper spot(s) on the car to hook the cable to?
Is it possible / proper to use t-hooks in the front-most frame slots and pull from one or both of them? If so, couldn't the cable then potentially damage the underside of the car / spoiler as it gets pulled taut against it?
To my knowledge there is no other spot on the C6 designated for towing / pulling the car itself.
Quick question:
When a C6 needs to be pulled up onto a flatbed using the flatbed's winch, what is the proper spot(s) on the car to hook the cable to?
Is it possible / proper to use t-hooks in the front-most frame slots and pull from one or both of them? If so, couldn't the cable then potentially damage the underside of the car / spoiler as it gets pulled taut against it?
To my knowledge there is no other spot on the C6 designated for towing / pulling the car itself.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 9
From: Crossville TN
I know this is pulling up an old thread... but I was wondering if some of you guys have bought from snappin turtle before? I bought a set of straps and hooks, got a confirmation number but nothing has ever came in. Its been 3 weeks since I ordered from them but I can't reach them by phone or email. Anyone ever had a problem with them before?
