Curious, how does one get a C6 onto a flatbed?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 395
From: Austin, TX
Curious, how does one get a C6 onto a flatbed?
All,
How does one get a C6 onto a flatbed the right way? Don't need to but I'm just curious just in case. Are the jacking points supposed to be used somehow or is the front cradle used? Neither seem very optimal. Why don't Vettes have removeable tow hooks from the factory like the 350Z/G35 etc?
How does one get a C6 onto a flatbed the right way? Don't need to but I'm just curious just in case. Are the jacking points supposed to be used somehow or is the front cradle used? Neither seem very optimal. Why don't Vettes have removeable tow hooks from the factory like the 350Z/G35 etc?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,488
Likes: 27
From: Long Island NY
No straps or hooks on control arms... not on this car. That's a no-no.
Use "T-hooks" in the frame slots (at the "puck" locations)... a lot of flatbeds will have assorted T-hooks on hand... don't let anyone grab your control arms. I carry extra T-hooks in my tool kit just in case... you can get `em online from various tool supply places.
The car can be secured to the flatbed using either the T-hooks or tire straps. Control arms should not be touched.
Use "T-hooks" in the frame slots (at the "puck" locations)... a lot of flatbeds will have assorted T-hooks on hand... don't let anyone grab your control arms. I carry extra T-hooks in my tool kit just in case... you can get `em online from various tool supply places.
The car can be secured to the flatbed using either the T-hooks or tire straps. Control arms should not be touched.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,064
Likes: 4
No straps or hooks on control arms... not on this car. That's a no-no.
Use "T-hooks" in the frame slots (at the "puck" locations)... a lot of flatbeds will have assorted T-hooks on hand... don't let anyone grab your control arms. I carry extra T-hooks in my tool kit just in case... you can get `em online from various tool supply places.
The car can be secured to the flatbed using either the T-hooks or tire straps. Control arms should not be touched.
Use "T-hooks" in the frame slots (at the "puck" locations)... a lot of flatbeds will have assorted T-hooks on hand... don't let anyone grab your control arms. I carry extra T-hooks in my tool kit just in case... you can get `em online from various tool supply places.
The car can be secured to the flatbed using either the T-hooks or tire straps. Control arms should not be touched.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 995
Likes: 2
From: Virginia Beach VA
Are you guys sure?
I believe the front grill has a small (4") section right of center that pulls out so you can attach the hook line to pull the car onto the flat bed. I have a RACEMESH grill so I can't go out & check, but I'm pretty sure that's the attach point for pulling the car from the front. If you went under the car as soon as you pull the cable taught it will crush the spoiler. From the rear I can't see any harm in attaching to he rear crossmember dead center. An easy way to secure the vehicle once on board is run the tie down straps through the spokes of the wheels, front pulled forward, rear go rear. Note I mention straps not chains. The 2 most important questions to ask & make sure of (or call someone else) is the have 2 x ___ boards to bridge the road surface to the flatbed & have pulldown straps (not chains) to secure the vehicle. I have had my Harley towed on flatbeds more times than I care to remember, the right driver & equipt truck is the key to not damaging your vehicle.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 723
From: panama city beach florida USA
St. Jude Donor '09
No straps or hooks on control arms... not on this car. That's a no-no.
Use "T-hooks" in the frame slots (at the "puck" locations)... a lot of flatbeds will have assorted T-hooks on hand... don't let anyone grab your control arms. I carry extra T-hooks in my tool kit just in case... you can get `em online from various tool supply places.
The car can be secured to the flatbed using either the T-hooks or tire straps. Control arms should not be touched.
Use "T-hooks" in the frame slots (at the "puck" locations)... a lot of flatbeds will have assorted T-hooks on hand... don't let anyone grab your control arms. I carry extra T-hooks in my tool kit just in case... you can get `em online from various tool supply places.
The car can be secured to the flatbed using either the T-hooks or tire straps. Control arms should not be touched.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
No straps or hooks on control arms... not on this car. That's a no-no.
Use "T-hooks" in the frame slots (at the "puck" locations)... a lot of flatbeds will have assorted T-hooks on hand... don't let anyone grab your control arms. I carry extra T-hooks in my tool kit just in case... you can get `em online from various tool supply places.
The car can be secured to the flatbed using either the T-hooks or tire straps. Control arms should not be touched.
Use "T-hooks" in the frame slots (at the "puck" locations)... a lot of flatbeds will have assorted T-hooks on hand... don't let anyone grab your control arms. I carry extra T-hooks in my tool kit just in case... you can get `em online from various tool supply places.
The car can be secured to the flatbed using either the T-hooks or tire straps. Control arms should not be touched.
I called the 1-800 number (this was on a Sunday morning) and within an hour my car was being taken to the local Cheby dealer
My car was towed and tied down by the jacking puck points (all four)
The driver used boards to change the approach angle of the car to the ramp to keep the nose from scrapping.
All in all a very neat and professional job.
Good luck
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Brett Foote
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 808
From: West coast CA
The control arms are strong enough to resist the reaction force of the brakes during a 1g stop, plus safety factor. Assuming 70% of that load is borne by the front end, that's the equivalent of towing up a 45-degree incline. Subtract a bit if you like for pulling on the lowers only, but it would still appear that overall they're more than strong enough.
It's possible the arms could be subject to local damage if loaded in the wrong place, but it seems unlikely that a thick-webbed strap wrapped around the inner ends of the arms would damage them.
It's possible the arms could be subject to local damage if loaded in the wrong place, but it seems unlikely that a thick-webbed strap wrapped around the inner ends of the arms would damage them.
ZO6 Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 979
Likes: 5
From: Richmond Texas
i,ve towed quite a few things in my 30 yrs in the wrecker service,it goes on my way or no way that way no damage.as far as using your towing tools :i know my equipment,i dont know yours.ive transported much more expensive cars than your chevy and not hurt them.the issue with listening to a person with no rigging experience is when it goes wrong they wont admit their fault.before we had towing shielded chain we would run chain through firehose then the lower controll arms,there is little resistance pulling up on bed,damage is done when its secured at the rear and its pulled tight,thats why we put them in gear with em. brake on and tire strap 2 wheels. unless you have been in the bush dont tell someone how to pulldown. submitted with respect
My best friend is a tow truck driver and we had to take mine in a few weeks ago. We actually found it easier to pull the rear of the car onto the bed first. We used boards once the front wheels were approaching the bed and it came up without even touching the front air dam. Biggest key is just to take your time and it will load pretty easily. Experienced drivers will have no issues. However, I've seen a rookie rip the front bumper off a C6.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 723
From: panama city beach florida USA
St. Jude Donor '09
My best friend is a tow truck driver and we had to take mine in a few weeks ago. We actually found it easier to pull the rear of the car onto the bed first. We used boards once the front wheels were approaching the bed and it came up without even touching the front air dam. Biggest key is just to take your time and it will load pretty easily. Experienced drivers will have no issues. However, I've seen a rookie rip the front bumper off a C6.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 723
From: panama city beach florida USA
St. Jude Donor '09
The control arms are strong enough to resist the reaction force of the brakes during a 1g stop, plus safety factor. Assuming 70% of that load is borne by the front end, that's the equivalent of towing up a 45-degree incline. Subtract a bit if you like for pulling on the lowers only, but it would still appear that overall they're more than strong enough.
It's possible the arms could be subject to local damage if loaded in the wrong place, but it seems unlikely that a thick-webbed strap wrapped around the inner ends of the arms would damage them.
It's possible the arms could be subject to local damage if loaded in the wrong place, but it seems unlikely that a thick-webbed strap wrapped around the inner ends of the arms would damage them.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 723
From: panama city beach florida USA
St. Jude Donor '09
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 873
From: Bay Area CA
No straps or hooks on control arms... not on this car. That's a no-no.
Use "T-hooks" in the frame slots (at the "puck" locations)... a lot of flatbeds will have assorted T-hooks on hand... don't let anyone grab your control arms. I carry extra T-hooks in my tool kit just in case... you can get `em online from various tool supply places.
The car can be secured to the flatbed using either the T-hooks or tire straps. Control arms should not be touched.
Use "T-hooks" in the frame slots (at the "puck" locations)... a lot of flatbeds will have assorted T-hooks on hand... don't let anyone grab your control arms. I carry extra T-hooks in my tool kit just in case... you can get `em online from various tool supply places.
The car can be secured to the flatbed using either the T-hooks or tire straps. Control arms should not be touched.
Never hook up on any suspension components !!! Use the frame slots with T-hooks !!!
