I've figured out how to get the car into neutral and load it via winch into my enclosed trailer, then shut it down by reaching into the car through the open window and turning it off. Now how would I get it out? I don't have room to open the door to do the same method of putting the car in neutral. Only thing I can come up with is putting the removable roof in the trunk so I can climb into the car. At that point I could carefully drive it out. I could mount some mirrors so i could see the car between the wheel wells. That's about all I can come up with. Like to be able to do this by myself if possible.
Anybody have any solution to this? Wish I had side doors on my trailer lol.

 

This could be a bit risky. I tried to search some YouTube videos, and a lot of the enclosed trailers have doors or openings. I would call up some trailer rental or sales companies to see what they would advise from their experience.

Be careful. Hope you get it figured out.

 

Here is my suggestion on how I load and unload my cars. JCS III you are on the right path to load into a trailer, car must be in neutral and running {to steer}. You didn't mention you are winching but I'll take that assumption becuase you mentioned you have it in neutral. Another suggestion would raise the front of the trailer via tongue jack as car will winch with uphill with resistance, in addition it also assit on the front nose approach if you don't have front lift. Another suggestion is I position one of ratchet strap where I want my front wheel to stop, I also tape markers where my tires should line up in the trailer. Removing the top is your best option if you can't fit thru window and probably less intrusive. You will need to "hop" back in the car to shift into park, shut the car off and set the brake. Do NOT release winch cable leave attached! Pretty much the same process in backing the car out of the trailer, once again lift the front of the trailer or park the trailer in a down hill angle. Jump back in the car, start it, release parking brake and place in neutral. Depending on the the angle of the trailer once you get out of the car start winching the car out ,you may need to give a slight push to get past flat spot on the tires but it will walk out on its own once it start rolling and stay by the steering wheel for slight corrections. Another suggestion I recommend is a remote winch controller.

 

Yes I'm pulling the car with a 8000lb warn winch with a wireless remote, plenty of power. I do pre position my straps. My C7 Z06 was easy, just leave it in neutral. I don't see any other option but to leave the roof off. I'm 6'5", no way I'm slipping through the window.

I don't think people realize how difficult this car can be if you run out of gas etc. If the battery dies you're dead in the water. Its not going in neutral without a $600 tool that hooks onto the transmission to put it in neutral. Definitely way different than the C7.

 

Was just at the track this last weekend discussing all this with friends. I drove to and from the track, but am looking to get a trailer again and this cad is a PITA to load. I always winched my C5 racecar on and off and it’s super easy with a manual and no steering lock.

The only way is with the roof out or use a jack handle to press brake pedal while you reach in and try to start car… but that’s still tricky and then you still have to get it in neutral.

Other DCT cars have neutral switches under the center console trim for emergencies. This seems like a real engineering miss by Tremec/Chevy. The OEM neutral tool requires taking the trunk and airbox apart and someone has to hold it engaged while someone else pushes the car… that’s silly.

@mfain how did you unload?

 

Yeah the tool isn't even an option for me. Definitely a big hassle and you can't do it alone. I agree the absence of a emergency switch sucks. A friend and I were also discussing a switch, but doesn't seem like it's possible to rig one up.

 

Seems like with the C8 stingray being out for several years now, someone would of had a tread about this. Lots of people tracking these.

 

Forgive me if this a really dumb suggestion, but can you install/DIY a side door on your trailer? Or maybe trade/sell this trailer and buy a more suitable one to avoid these headaches and potential damage to the car?

 

The really good trailers with full side escape doors and removable inner fenders are $30,000+. Some of us want to tow with $10K wooden boxes In my old Freedom 24' the Corvette's door wouldn't clear the fender even with a driver side escape door. Then you get into adding wood do the trailer floor to raise it up etc. etc.

 

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-trailer.html

We discuss it often on the FB track groups, but in reality not that many people hardcore tracking these cars and those who do track drive them (me) or use open trailers. The answer is to have a really nice trailer w/ full side escape door or take the roof out.

 

Figures it would be another rabbit hole to mod both kinds to what you need. I’ve only ever driven to events, one day HPDEs etc, never a full weekend. I feel like I’ve seen both ends of the extremes, you either have OP trying to contort himself in and out of the trailer……..or people with monster full race trailers that you can pretty much just walk in and out of that have power everything etc. I’m sure those are quite pricey too say the least.

 

I haul mine in an enclosed trailer. I will have issues if it ever breaks down and I need to get it in the trailer. In that case I may be stuck with calling a flat bed, but for all other scenarios, I take the top off prior to loading and back it in. I then just step out over the door since the top is off. I can put the top back on in the trailer if I want or leave it off. I can easily reach through the window to turn car on or off and roll windows up to a certain degree to where I can still reach on/off button.

 

Trailer is worthless with these cars w/o a good REAL winch and tow skids. Whole point is a safety net to get home w/o a huge hassle if something messes up.

 

I have a 2vyear old 36foot trailer that I got for an unbelievable price. Selling it a buying a trailer with side doors isn't realistic.

 

Roof out, big winch well-mounted and some tow-skids for if there are ever issues (or a big jug of dawn).

 

I winch the car in with someone in the car with the motor running and in neutral. That person then exits through the side escape door. To unload, I get in the car through the escape door and just back it out while someone watches from the front to make sure I am straight. The side clearances are too tight to risk backing out without a spotter. If I didn't have the escape door, I would use the Futura open trailer, especially since I don't ever plan on tracking in the rain. It is 81" wide (86" at the back with the flared deck). The aggravation of trying to crawl in and out of the car without a side door would be more than I can bear. Luckily I already had a good, wide trailer with a side door that I had used for other cars when I bought the C8Z. It was not quite as expensive to purchase seven years ago, and with all the use it has been a good, long-term investment. Another expense worth mentioning is storage of a big trailer. I keep mine in an enclosed RV bay, but there is cost associated with that.


Trailer fender lifts out for car door clearance.


Wide enough for the C8Z