Question on Corvette trailers
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Guelph Ontario
Question on Corvette trailers
I just bought a corvette in NY and am in the process of bringing it back to Ontario. I don't want to drive it back. I'm getting quotes from the professional haulers but was wondering which car trailers are suitable for a C5Z, that I can rent or even buy. I have a 3/4 ton truck for towing. I live in the Guelph and would appreciate any advice. Thx
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Kingsville Ontario Canada
I just bought a corvette in NY and am in the process of bringing it back to Ontario. I don't want to drive it back. I'm getting quotes from the professional haulers but was wondering which car trailers are suitable for a C5Z, that I can rent or even buy. I have a 3/4 ton truck for towing. I live in the Guelph and would appreciate any advice. Thx
Just do a Dukes of Hazard style entrance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Where CUPCAYKE lives Ontario
The uhaul trailers are ok - and with the newer aluminum ones, the fenders fold down to make it easy to get in and out.
Before I bought my trailer used a couple time to run to the track.
There are a couple of places that both sell and rent trailers in better condition than uhaul and I think just as reasonable for pricing as well.
Just can't remember their business names right now...
1BDRSK (Greg) hopefully will chime in because he knows...I will tag him via BBM and mention this thread.
lauri
Before I bought my trailer used a couple time to run to the track.
There are a couple of places that both sell and rent trailers in better condition than uhaul and I think just as reasonable for pricing as well.
Just can't remember their business names right now...
1BDRSK (Greg) hopefully will chime in because he knows...I will tag him via BBM and mention this thread.
lauri
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Kingsville Ontario Canada
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From: Guelph Ontario
Thanks for all the help. Im looking into an enclosed rental but may end up going with a commercial hauler on this one because of my work schedule. Damn ebay, I had no intention of buying now but couldn"t pass it by without putting in a bid. Its a 2004 Z CE with only 3200 miles. First car I bought sight unseen (pictures notwithstanding). I'll post pics when I get it home.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Guelph Ontario
Well I'm back to either trailering or driving. TFX was very helpfull, unfortunately they won't get to the seller's place before he leaves for Florida. I went to Service Ontario and they do not provide temporary plates/permits to allow me to drive it back. They told me I had to go through NY Dept of Motor Vehicles. Anyone have experience with getting a permit to drive back? I've also looked into trailering and it appears the C5 can be secured with a T hook in the lift puck holes (don't know what else to call them). Any suggestions on how to strap a C5Z down and trailer rentals are appreciated. PMs being sent to those who provided earlier advise. Thanks
Melting Slicks
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From: Where CUPCAYKE lives Ontario
Racer
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remember when you are driving home that car that's tailgating you is yours LoL , when i picked up mine a few yrs ago i was coming home admittedly i was tired , i looked in the mirror and saw this vette 6 inches of my bumper scared the crap out of me
get all your paperwork together in one folder it will make life easier at the border
get all your paperwork together in one folder it will make life easier at the border
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From: Guelph Ontario
Thanks for all the help and encouragement. I feel a lot more confident now I've got the truck, trailer and understanding of how I'm going to load and tie down the car. I stopped by Dasilva Motorsports yesterday and Manny used a C5Z on the lift to show me the best place on the frame to tie to. (ie the frame cradle front & rear). Looks pretty solid to me. I've got a good trailer - beavertail with long ramps. Got all my paperwork, RIV recall clearnace, and 72 hr US Custom notification. While I'm looking forward to the trip, I have to say I'll feel a lot more relaxed when I have her home and in the garage.
Race Director
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From: South Western Ontario
I'm not sure of your tie-down plans but I personally wouldn't hook the tie hooks onto the edges of the AL cradle. Not sure if it would, but I'd hate to see you break a chunk out of the cradle.
Make sure you cross the straps or the car could shift sideways into the trailer fender. I've seen shifting happen to people a few times and each time the car got close enough to the fender it rubbed as it bounced on the suspension.
Also, make sure the car weight is forward of the axles so you don't bounce the back of the truck off the ground and crash. I'm thinking you want at least 10% of the car weight on the tongue, or about 400lbs + 10% of the trailer weight (maybe another 100lbs or so).
Good luck on the trip and congrats on the new car.
Make sure you cross the straps or the car could shift sideways into the trailer fender. I've seen shifting happen to people a few times and each time the car got close enough to the fender it rubbed as it bounced on the suspension.
Also, make sure the car weight is forward of the axles so you don't bounce the back of the truck off the ground and crash. I'm thinking you want at least 10% of the car weight on the tongue, or about 400lbs + 10% of the trailer weight (maybe another 100lbs or so).
Good luck on the trip and congrats on the new car.
Last edited by lionelhutz; Apr 18, 2013 at 09:51 PM.
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From: Guelph Ontario
I will use axle straps around the cradle, and hook the strap to the rings on the axle straps. The other options are to tie throught the wheels front and back, or use a T hook in the jack puck holes. Thanks for the heads up about side to side movement. I appreciate all opinions. I will be stopping often to check how secure the car is.
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From: South Western Ontario
I'd personally attempt to hook to the 4 tie downs with T-hooks and then run past the opposite side wheel to a tie-down point. For example, T-hook into the tie down hole behind the drivers side front wheel and hook the other end to the front passenger side of the trailer.
Wrapping the straps around parts of the car can work too. I'm not sure what you mean by hooking the strap into the loop on the strap. The only ends on tie straps I've seen were hooks formed from bar stock. But, you can loop the strap over the car and bring both ends out to the trailer and hook them there. I'm thinking that's what you actually mean.
You want the straps to lay flat and even wherever they are placed. You don't want them bunched up or pulling on one edge. They can fail when the whole width of the strap isn't evenly taking the load.
Tying through the wheels can work but if the column lock was disabled the front wheels could turn and allow the front of the car to shift.
Wrapping the straps around parts of the car can work too. I'm not sure what you mean by hooking the strap into the loop on the strap. The only ends on tie straps I've seen were hooks formed from bar stock. But, you can loop the strap over the car and bring both ends out to the trailer and hook them there. I'm thinking that's what you actually mean.
You want the straps to lay flat and even wherever they are placed. You don't want them bunched up or pulling on one edge. They can fail when the whole width of the strap isn't evenly taking the load.
Tying through the wheels can work but if the column lock was disabled the front wheels could turn and allow the front of the car to shift.
Last edited by lionelhutz; Apr 19, 2013 at 10:09 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Guelph Ontario
Do you know where I can buy T hooks? I've called some truck & trailer places with no luck. As you can tell I'm new to trailering cars. The strap I referred to as an axle strap is 4 " wide and appox 3 feet long with D rings on both ends. I plan to wrap this around the cradle, then attach the rachet strap (also 4" wide) hook to the both D rings on the axle strap, then tighten the rachet strap. I would also use T hooks and additional straps if I can find them. I definitely want to avoid the car moving side to side and will cross the straps. Appreciate the advice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Kitchener Ontario
You're not driving that far so you're fine to just cross the rears straps. For the front, put the axel strap through the wheel spokes and tie down to the d ring in front of the wheel. Check the straps after 30 mins, then you'll be fine for the rest of the drive. Don't worry about extra straps or t-hooks, 4 will do.