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I have a tilting Aluma trailer which I've been driving onto with mixed results. It's not easy feathering the clutch and gas on a 20 degree slope to get positioned. In fact it feels kind of dangerous and more importantly, I'm gradually destroying the clutch.
Installing a winch on the trailer is easy enough but I'm stuck on the best way to pull the car up. Ideally I just want to hook the winch to something and haul it up.
I've looked at the front end a bit and the place where the bumperettes attach looks to be a fairly sturdy place to put an adapter plate with a tow ring. Looks like I could have four bolts on that crossmember and I wouldn't unduly strain the radiator, which would be my chief concern. I'm thinking I may be able to get the ring to protrude behind the license plate, which would minimize any torque on the crossmember.
Has anybody here installed anything along these lines and what specifically did you do?
I'm in the same boat. I'm looking a little more toward the rear and making a tab to bolt to the frame closer to the cross member where the frame is a bit more sturdy. My thought is that pulling on a corner is not good. Unless you want a diamond shape frame.
I'm in the same boat. I'm looking a little more toward the rear and making a tab to bolt to the frame closer to the cross member where the frame is a bit more sturdy. My thought is that pulling on a corner is not good. Unless you want a diamond shape frame.
You're right, I think there would be some uneven stress on the welds by pulling on a corner. Backing a high HP vette onto a trailer would be even scarier. Plus it would just look wrong in the rear view mirror. Right now my car follows me all the way home.
In loading the car, I put a couple of flags up on the corners of the trailer to sort of see where I'm going, as I can't really see over the hood (your hood actually!).
If I do fab something, are you interested in a copy?
If I do fab something, are you interested in a copy?
I am. I can't seem to get home long enough anymore to get much done. It took me almost 3 years to get the new motor back together and running. I was gone for 8 months last year.
How about attaching a dedicated strap across from one lower A-arm to the other.....then connect the winch cable hook to the center of the strap.
The cable will be much lower which will clear the spoiler, and you can't bend a thing on A-arms!
I've had that thought especially since I have tubular A-arms. But these days I am all about not having to crawl under the car, especially when it's flat on the ground. It's not that bad hooking up the restraints when the car is up on the trailer but that's it. I'm willing to do some work to make autoX days a bit easier.
Are you thinking of something like this, which is two pieces?
The bracket attaches to solid structure and the red tow ring in detachable.
It looks like it could mount directly under the front license plate.
I've had that thought especially since I have tubular A-arms. But these days I am all about not having to crawl under the car, especially when it's flat on the ground. It's not that bad hooking up the restraints when the car is up on the trailer but that's it. I'm willing to do some work to make autoX days a bit easier.
Owing an Escalade for 11 years I keep forgetting how low a Vette sits since my project still is not complete.
The attachment Wendell posted looks promising....it could be permanently attached/the winch hook could be attached using a pole similar to a broom handle which would save you from having to crawl under the front to attach it to the "eye".
I have a tilting Aluma trailer which I've been driving onto with mixed results. It's not easy feathering the clutch and gas on a 20 degree slope to get positioned. In fact it feels kind of dangerous and more importantly, I'm gradually destroying the clutch.
Installing a winch on the trailer is easy enough but I'm stuck on the best way to pull the car up. Ideally I just want to hook the winch to something and haul it up.
I've looked at the front end a bit and the place where the bumperettes attach looks to be a fairly sturdy place to put an adapter plate with a tow ring. Looks like I could have four bolts on that crossmember and I wouldn't unduly strain the radiator, which would be my chief concern. I'm thinking I may be able to get the ring to protrude behind the license plate, which would minimize any torque on the crossmember.
Has anybody here installed anything along these lines and what specifically did you do?
I use two straps, one around each lower control arm, and hook to the tow cable hook. Works well. I don't drive cars onto the trailer, I winch them.
Best regards,
David
The attachment Wendell posted looks promising....it could be permanently attached/the winch hook could be attached using a pole similar to a broom handle which would save you from having to crawl under the front to attach it to the "eye".
Well I am hoping to see if anybody else has solved this problem and what they did.
I hate to drill holes or weld to my frame if I can find another way. I was thinking maybe I could attach a piece of plate steel to the four bolts in in my cross member that right now hold the angle brackets to the bumperettes. Then have something that reaches up behind the license plate to hold a a tow ring/eye. Maybe hinge the license plate somehow to get access.
Searching on "tow eye" gets me lots of interesting imagery something like Wendell shows.
Thanks for sharing this. That looks to be a considerably later model and structurally different than my 69. I am hopeful that I can hide this behind my license plate. There is a gap through that area to the crossmember with a flap and the grill removed.
Pulling the car up a 20 degree ramp should be about a 1000 # load on that member. It doesn't seem unreasonable.
08-28-2017, 04:01 PM
Front-end winch attachment?
Owing an Escalade for 11 years I keep forgetting how low a Vette sits since my project still is not complete.
