Trailering tips?
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Trailering tips?
New C7 owner (‘14). Going to trailer it, need to learn from your mistakes please! I loaded it and test drove it yesterday, now to figure out how to tow it without having to leave my RKE in the car...thank you
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,030
Likes: 9,786
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Make sure there is sufficient tongue weight on the hitch. If you have seen people towing trailers that are swinging back and forth behind the tow vehicle that means the tongue weight is too low. Figure car weight at 3500 lbs (my 3LZ Z07 Z06 weighs 3565 lbs) then add the trailer weight. With a 1500 lb trailer that means the tongue weight needs to be between 500 to 750 lbs. 500 lbs probably means the trailer sways a little while 750 might reduce the weight on the tow vehicle front wheels causing it to steer poorly. I would shoot for 600 lbs.
Bill
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,923
Likes: 6,722
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
(Bubbletop, it's already loaded.) I suggest if you’ve never trailered before, and it sounds like you may not have, check air-pressure in the trailer tires before starting out. Check your trailer brake manual control and adjustment. Then, stop after the initial mile or two to check everything, even if all seems well. Assuming all is a “go” at that point, and it felt and pulled okay to there, head on down the road. But, stop again in about 15 to 20 miles. Again, if all checks out, go for it, but watch your speed! Just be careful on turns and watch where and how you park. If you aren't comfortable backing, take that into account everywhere you go. All the best. We all had to start somewhere! 
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 321
Likes: 22
From: Amarillo Texas
When I tow a car on a trailer, I like to secure it from the frame to the trailer. Then I like to secure it by pulling the body down to the trailer so the suspension is not active and bouncing on rough or dippy roads.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 118
I don't leave my fob in the car, just press the unlock button, no alarm goes off while towing. I secure to the frame with t-hooks: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/MTD-340003, and set the parking brake. Car never moves, straps never loosen, even over the worst bumps in the road. Use these straps: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/CMB-29-0012
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,030
Likes: 9,786
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I don't leave my fob in the car, just press the unlock button, no alarm goes off while towing. I secure to the frame with t-hooks: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/MTD-340003, and set the parking brake. Car never moves, straps never loosen, even over the worst bumps in the road. Use these straps: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/CMB-29-0012
Bill
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 118
No need to use unlock. Before closing the door after getting the car on the trailer just tap the security switch next to the hatch release. When the small light in the button is lit motion sensing is turned off. Close the door and the alarm won't sound when trailering. However, if you reopen the door then you have to reset the switch because you rearm motion sensing by opening the door.
Bill
Bill
Fortunately I have the key fob right next to me in the truck, so I hit unlock and the alarm stops...
Last edited by Scott_Wisconsin; Sep 7, 2020 at 04:56 PM. Reason: typo...
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Tauranga, New Zealand
I've towed race cars for 30+ years and also delivered lease cars all over the country, The car has suspension and shocks, why would you want to disable it?.
Why strap the car down like a "Jack in the Box" waiting to fire-off when a strap releases [they do come loose because of suspension still having some movement]
When you strap down by the wheels [or axle tubes on diffs] the only compliance is from tyre compression, so the straps have a better chance of staying tight.
Also cross strapping is a dangerous myth [if one strap breaks, they all come loose]
At least strapping through the wheels prevents these bad practices
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,049
Likes: 944
From: DFW TX
I don't leave my fob in the car, just press the unlock button, no alarm goes off while towing. I secure to the frame with t-hooks: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/MTD-340003, and set the parking brake. Car never moves, straps never loosen, even over the worst bumps in the road. Use these straps: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/CMB-29-0012
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Thanks all!
KeyFob issue was just as you suggested!
Tongue weight discussion was on point and nicely concise! Not new to trailering, just new to a car hauler…
Load securing thoughts were also appreciated. I decided to loop through the wheels with a towel to protect the finish and pulled straight line away from each wheel, not criss crossed. Seriously solid feeling and I’ve yet to have a strap loosened after about 100 hours of tow time now…
new issue though! Blew the motor in October, finally getting into the shop next week and I’m asking myself, do I pay a pro with a flatbed (and Corvette experience) $250 or do I put my car on my feather lite trailer with a winch? Trick is, I’ve never tried to connect a winch to a low slung car. Our car is a ‘14 C7, so it’s not extra low, but nothing jumps out at me “connect here”…
thoughts please!
KeyFob issue was just as you suggested!
Tongue weight discussion was on point and nicely concise! Not new to trailering, just new to a car hauler…
Load securing thoughts were also appreciated. I decided to loop through the wheels with a towel to protect the finish and pulled straight line away from each wheel, not criss crossed. Seriously solid feeling and I’ve yet to have a strap loosened after about 100 hours of tow time now…
new issue though! Blew the motor in October, finally getting into the shop next week and I’m asking myself, do I pay a pro with a flatbed (and Corvette experience) $250 or do I put my car on my feather lite trailer with a winch? Trick is, I’ve never tried to connect a winch to a low slung car. Our car is a ‘14 C7, so it’s not extra low, but nothing jumps out at me “connect here”…
thoughts please!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,030
Likes: 9,786
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Thanks all!
KeyFob issue was just as you suggested!
Tongue weight discussion was on point and nicely concise! Not new to trailering, just new to a car hauler…
Load securing thoughts were also appreciated. I decided to loop through the wheels with a towel to protect the finish and pulled straight line away from each wheel, not criss crossed. Seriously solid feeling and I’ve yet to have a strap loosened after about 100 hours of tow time now…
new issue though! Blew the motor in October, finally getting into the shop next week and I’m asking myself, do I pay a pro with a flatbed (and Corvette experience) $250 or do I put my car on my feather lite trailer with a winch? Trick is, I’ve never tried to connect a winch to a low slung car. Our car is a ‘14 C7, so it’s not extra low, but nothing jumps out at me “connect here”…
thoughts please!
KeyFob issue was just as you suggested!
Tongue weight discussion was on point and nicely concise! Not new to trailering, just new to a car hauler…
Load securing thoughts were also appreciated. I decided to loop through the wheels with a towel to protect the finish and pulled straight line away from each wheel, not criss crossed. Seriously solid feeling and I’ve yet to have a strap loosened after about 100 hours of tow time now…
new issue though! Blew the motor in October, finally getting into the shop next week and I’m asking myself, do I pay a pro with a flatbed (and Corvette experience) $250 or do I put my car on my feather lite trailer with a winch? Trick is, I’ve never tried to connect a winch to a low slung car. Our car is a ‘14 C7, so it’s not extra low, but nothing jumps out at me “connect here”…
thoughts please!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30274267284...kAAOSwrWVbIuEg
Lay the bridle on the ground with the center ring facing the winch, spread the T hook ends out and to their full length, push front of car over T hooks and stop when the T Hooks are able to be fastened to the shipping slots in the frame. Connect to frame and and hook winch to the center ring and winch onto the trailer. Works like a charm. Don't use a Tow Hook placed in the front Tow Hook slot behind the grille.
Bill
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 732
Likes: 138
From: Allen (DFW) Texas
Purchase a V Bridle and with some T Hooks to pull the car onto the trailer from the frame of the car.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30274267284...kAAOSwrWVbIuEg
Lay the bridle on the ground with the center ring facing the winch, spread the T hook ends out and to their full length, push front of car over T hooks and stop when the T Hooks are able to be fastened to the shipping slots in the frame. Connect to frame and and hook winch to the center ring and winch onto the trailer. Works like a charm. Don't use a Tow Hook placed in the front Tow Hook slot behind the grille.
Bill
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30274267284...kAAOSwrWVbIuEg
Lay the bridle on the ground with the center ring facing the winch, spread the T hook ends out and to their full length, push front of car over T hooks and stop when the T Hooks are able to be fastened to the shipping slots in the frame. Connect to frame and and hook winch to the center ring and winch onto the trailer. Works like a charm. Don't use a Tow Hook placed in the front Tow Hook slot behind the grille.
Bill
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Tauranga, New Zealand
Whereas those straps pull horizontally.
This is also a problem when the winch rope is horizontal and the car is on an angle going up trailer ramps
I have a similar situation with the bumper tow eye on my racecar when winching it onto a trailer [it tries to bend the frame brackets down]
So I sewed up a strap that wrapped around the front cross-member underneath
That V bridle is a good idea [ I will probably make one now]
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,030
Likes: 9,786
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
1. As the car is pulled onto the trailer the nose is pulled down unless the winch is standing at the same height as the tow hook. As the car approaches the winch the winch pulls the nose of the car further downward.
2. The position of the Tow Hook is off center so not only is the winch pulling the nose of the car down it is pulling the nose of the car sideways.
3. The winch cable tends to rotate the Tow Hook as the load increases and it always makes me a little nervous to see the tow hook unwinding from the block.
4. The angle and pressure on the Tow Hook Mounting block tend to loosen the block so the block and the Tow Hook move around some, which on the wide-body cars means the small grille crossbar just above the Tow Hook gets broken.
The V Bridle will permit pulling of the car onto the trailer with the winch line down low so the car pulls straight onto the trailer. My 66 inch long V Bridle will just miss the Stage 2/3 Front Splitter as the car starts to rotate onto the ramps. As the nose of the car comes up the ramp the splitter moves away from the bridle.
Bill
