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I can't comment on the "drag going in" - every trailer is different. On most enclosed trailers the rear door drops down to create the loading ramp, and many owners will use some race ramps or such under the back edge of the door to create less of a slope.
My rear door opens up, and I pull out two ramps to load the car like most open trailers, and I have had no problems loading my C6 Z06, ZR1, or my new C7 Z06 (I brought it home to Daytona from Museum delivery in the trailer, as well as hauling it up and back to the VIR HPDE the end of June).
However, I can comment on the tie down procedure most of us use. You can see below that I use the most common tie down method of hooking straps into the frame:
The tie down points in the frame are the exact same oval holes that you use to put your jacking pucks into - there are two on each side. The best hooks are the "T-hooks" that you can get at Northern Tool or many other sources:
I assume that if you are considering tire bonnets that you have e-track rails in the floor of your trailer. If you have e-track rails then you have more options.
The tire bonnets hold the car in place, but it will still bounce on the suspension slightly. I like the T-hooks in the frame because they pull the frame down just a bit and hold the entire car tightly in the trailer. I've got about 10,000 miles pulling my Vettes in my current trailer with the T-hook and strap method with no problems at all.
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Last edited by Steve Garrett; Aug 3, 2016 at 07:32 PM.
Reason: No need to re-quote the OP, especially if you're the next person posting.
I trailered my new 09 Z06 from Ohio back to So. Cal when I bought it. I tied mine down similar to the first pic. Cross the straps in the back and secured to the D rings in the floor. The fronts were harder because of the low front spoiler but I crossed the straps and connected to the wheel spokes. My trailer was an enclosed 32 ft car hauler but it was still tight in there. I crawled out the back of the car to get out as there was zero room to get out the doors!
I would have preferred to use those hooks in the frame.
^^^ I hook the T-hooks into the holes before I ever drive the car (or I have a winch and sometimes winch it in) into the trailer. I attach the hooks and run the straps to the front and rear, and I have some clamps to clamp the straps to the front grill and the edge of the diffuser in the rear. Then I drive/winch the car into the trailer and just release the straps and thread them into the ratchets and tighten them down. VERY EASY!
And you can see the "Escape Door" I have on the left side of my trailer so I can easily just open the car's door to climb in/out of the car while it's in the trailer. I can also very easily reach the left side front and rear holes in the frame, so I really only need to attach/clamp the right side straps before loading the car.
I'd never get another enclosed trailer that didn't have an escape door on the left!
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Last edited by Steve Garrett; Aug 3, 2016 at 07:33 PM.
Reason: No need to re-quote the previous post, especially if you're the next person posting.
Thanks everyone I been looking at the frame hooks just wanted someone else's opinion to .havent hauled the vette in enclosed trailer yet that's why I asked if they drug when loading .do have tire bonnets but not sure about using
I hauled my 2015 Z51 from the Museum back to Atlanta in an enclosed trailer. I used the T-hooks from Northern Tool as well. Crossed the tie downs and the car rode beautifully the entire trip. My trailer had ramps to raise the car above the floor to make tie-down much easier.
The guys that don't have any dragging issues have low ride trailers with the ramp almost level with the ground. It will depend on your trailer, but my trailer has quite a bit of ground clearance. That means the ramp is at a relatively steep angle to the ground. It will scrape if you don't add some structure under the ramp to flatten the approach/descent angle.
I trailered my C7 to Carlisle, and had a difficult time getting the car in and out of the trailer....until I got some race ramps to put under the ramp. Made all the difference in the world. I would highly recommend getting a set. They even make them specifically for use as trailer ramps.
As far as strapping the car down, I concur that the T hooks are the way to go. Worked perfectly for me and the car never moved during 4000 miles round trip in the trailer.
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