burackc13

Hello! I am moving from VA to TX and do not plan on driving the car all that way. I do not own a closed trailer and was wondering everyones thoughts on an open trailer (specifically trying to avoid damage and if there is a cover anyone would recommend for towing or just how to do it in general as I have never done this before. All advice would be VERY appreciated. Thanks!

BELVIN20

You may have a reason for not driving all the way, but if it were me I would drive the car & then you are in control of the car & not someone else.

NSC5

As long as your tow vehicle or trailer tires aren't throwing rocks at the vehicle it is in less danger than it would be driving it since its own wheels aren't kicking stuff at it and your tow vehicle is going to take the hits from stuff thrown from other vehicle tires.

Some people have taped off parts of vehicle prior to protective film installation if you want to go that route but I think you are over thinking it.

papillion

A high end specialty hauler ie Reliable or InterCity will charge you $1 mile +/- for enclosed TLC transport. Contrast that with a one way trailer rental and see which hurts the least. Neighbor has a school teacher brother who spends every summer hauling cars around the country. GMC and a 20' box trailer. Books his jobs through U Ship. They are a bit of a dice roll of course. Depends on your threshold of pain. And risk tolerance.

Widgeon5

Avoid a car cover. No matter how tightly you cinch it there will be areas where it flaps in the wind and abrades your paint.

Bill Dearborn

There is no real issue using an open trailer. Just make sure there are sufficiently long ramps to permit loading of the car. U Haul's can be problematic since the front splitter can be damaged by the front of the trailer's tire channels.

I tow my car to tracks all over the east coast on an open trailer and don't have any issues with damage. However, you do get the same bird crap, dust and dirt that you would get if you drove the car.

Never put a car cover on a car that is being towed on an open trailer. The cover will flap in the wind and abrade the paint. You won't see the flapping from the tow vehicle but other drivers will see it. If the cover tears apart then it can really damage the car as it will go from flapping to whipping.

Bill

JoesC5

Several years ago, friends moved from here(Springfield, MO) to Sun City West. Phil's wife was not able to drive long distances, so I drove her car out there, and Phil paid for my one motel stay on the way out there and my Amtrak ticket(coach) back home.

At that time it cost him around $300 for my motel and train ticket.

ShadowGray19

Get an open trailer with a rock shield. Something like this: http://www.advantagetrailer.com/prod...-gravel-guard/ When I sold HD bikes we always recommended a closed trailer (best option) or an open trailer with a rock shield for our customers who planned to tow their bikes for long distances. If the only option they had was an open, unprotected trailer, then we recommended taping up the front of their bikes with painters tape. Bill Dearborn is right. You will be very sorry if you put a cover on a car and tow it on an open trailer for long distances. The wind action will cause the cover to wear away the paint on the sharp body edges right down to the primer. Ask me how I know this can happen.

Avanti

When I was racing all the time at Bonneville I(we) always used an open trailer with large tempory add-on flaps that install on the truck trailer-hitch. Never had a single issue with debris, etc.

vettefred

I remember your car from 1990 when I was out there visiting Jim Fueling. Worked for Olds then. Had a great time and loved your Avanti "Due Cento" ....what a great looking car! Do you still own it?
Apology to the OP.