I need to trailer my 1964 Coupe a couple thousand miles across the States and would like some advice on the best locations to tie it down and the best type of hooks to use that will not damage the car along the way. Its also an open trailer so I'll have a lot of cleaning to do when I get home. I'm very much afraid to use any type of cover that may flap in the wind and damage the paint. Any hints for protecting it while on the road will be welcomed but my main concern is damaging the frame from tie down hooks. Where did the truck and train transports tie them down when they left the factory?
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Re: C2- Trailer tie down
There have been several discussions on this subject. I think I recall someone listing a web site which described the proper method of trailering the c-2. Check the archives. There are slots on the rear frame used by the factory for hold downs.
As far as protecting the car while it is on an open trailer. A friend of mine got a roll of the stretch plastic wrap used in warehouses on palets of boxes. He wrapped it around his car. It did a great job with no damage to the paint. -
Re: C2- Trailer tie down
If you wish to use "hooks", towing supply companys sell the "R" hook for GM vehicles that will fit in the factory frame shipping holes. Send me your e-mail address and I will send you pics of the hook and pics of the hook installed in the front and rear frame holes of my '66.
Another option is tire "baskets" or straps. I have them for my '59 and used them for the first time about a week ago. They work very well.
There is quite a bit of info about trailering Corvettes in the archives.
PatComment
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Re: C2- Trailer tie down
Whatever way you tie it down, get some bubble wrap (the big bubble kind) and tape at least 2 layers of it over your windshield, otherwise you risk having debris thrown up and breaking your windshield. Of course you have stone guards behind the wheels of your tow vehicle?Comment
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Re: C2- Trailer tie down
If Pat can't get the pictures to you, send me your email addy and I'll send you some.
I am looking for pictures of the tire net tie downs with tracks on the floor of the trailer. I have pictures of a U-haul tire net, I am looking for one with the tracks. I also need to find the tie-down positions for C1s, if there were any. I am working on a story on this subject for The Restorer.TerryComment
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Re: C2- Trailer tie down
Terry As you know I like the wheel bonnets and use D-Rings and rollers mounted to the floor. As I recall the wheel base on Corvettes are about the same but never had a C-1 in the hauler. I could provide the centerlines for the mounting of the hardware for 63-82 range and some pictures. LyleLyle
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Re: C2- Trailer tie down
Terry
After your previous messages to me earlier on this tie down subject, I went with the e-track tie down system and the wheel nets. These work perfect and are reasonably easy to hook up. I'll see if I can get some photos to you for your article.Comment
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Re: C2- Trailer tie down
Terry, I went the tire basket and E-Track setup for my '59 because I have yet to find the C1 rear anchor points. The C1 front factory anchor points are blocked by the licence plate/bumperette support arms. This setup works great and the E Track lets you adjust the tie down points for whatever car you have on the trailer. Pat G.Comment
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Re: C2- Trailer tie down
Steve - I recently went through this exercise (searching and reading all archived posts, here and elesewhere) and I will tell you what I found and what I did, and how it worked. What I found: you are about to enter into one of those areas of classic debate where great minds differ, and fall into two camps: to tie down the frame (and restrict the ability of the suspension of the car to operate), or to tie down the wheels (with a net or otherwise) or a component nearby that is "downstream of the suspension. I needed to choose sides just so I could then accomplish the task, and I went with tie the frame down. No, I do not wish to engage in heated debate on that topic
I used a UHaul Auto transport trailer, i.e. all four wheels off the ground, not enclosed. Good supply of D rings where I needed them on both of the units I encountered (cheaper for me to rent one way both ways).
Other helpful posters here mention, if you are going the tie the frame route, the existance of the slots in the frame both front and rear that were used when these cars were originally shipped - these slots are reinforced. I was guided most helpfully by a post here as to the location of these on a C2 / C3 frame - they are located on the sides of the frame up front, and on the bottom of the frame in the rear, if I recall. There are plenty of ways to tie into these "slots", J hooks, T hooks, S hooks, other letters of the alphabet too - I used these T hooks and they worked great, had to manuever them a bit to get them in, but that meant to me that they would not easily slip out on a bump if one of the straps loosened up: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...roductId=43572
Okay, so then what? Let me save you the reading, many posts warn of using wimpy ratcheting straps (Having motorcycles and a truck I have plenty of those around) so I bought some nice, heavy duty 10,000 lb "race car" ratcheting tow straps that have a hook with spring loaded retainer on each end. Something like this (note, I did not actually get mine from Northern tool, this is just a reference): http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...roductId=21925
and then there are the posts that instruct on how to strap it down to the trailer - diagonally in towards the center, in essence, (this results in the straps in the front and the rear crossing over each other) such that the strap coming from the left rear frame point, for example, attaches to the trailer at a point both forward of this spot on the frame as well as underneath the right side of the car - in this fashion this strap will prevent the car from travelling forward, or bouncing,jiggling out to the left any further.
You will also want to check your straps for tightness after the first 15 minutes or so, invariably one or more needs to be snugged up, if only for peace of mind. I of course checked them all every time I stopped for gas or one of the numerous potty breaks for the wife and kids that were with me.
Oh, and I left the trailered car in neutral, no parking brake. The straps and T hooks did their job perfectly. I do like the bubble wrap the windshiled idea, since mine is origianl and I would hate to loose it to a thrown rock.65 MM Convertible, L76 (365 hp)Comment
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Re: C2- Trailer tie down - typo edit
Typo edit: when I said "in this fashion this strap will prevent the car from travelling forward, or bouncing,jiggling out to the left any further." I meant to say that, in this fashion, that strap to the left rear will prevent the car from moving any further BACKWARD.65 MM Convertible, L76 (365 hp)Comment
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tie down story
I'm not trying to hijack the thread here, but I would appreciate some tire net, or tire basket tie down photos. Doesn't matter the car on the trailer, but I think most Restorer readers would prefer a Corvette in the photos. A bonus would be showing the track system as well.
I used the R-hooks for my trip to Windsor (only 300 miles) using a borrowed trailer. Since the trailer wasn't mine, and did not have a track system installed, R-hooks were the way to go. They worked just fine.
Please send photos to my email address listed in The Restorer, or on disk or paper to the street address listed there.TerryComment
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Re: tie down story
want a picture of four cases of the beast restraining a trailer queen? regards, mikeComment
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Re: tie down story
Sure Mike. We all need comic relief now and then, not to mention liquid relief. LOLTerryComment
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Re: C2- Trailer tie down
Thanks TO EVERYBODY for all the good information! I'll be lookng for the bubble wrap to protect the original w/shield. I'm kicking myself for not ordering the optional front shield made for the trailer.
With your help I was able to find what look to be a great set of tie downs. They have a selection of anchor hooks mounted on a large ring. I will be using the "R" hook in the frame slots as instructed here. The ratchet straps are about 4 " wide and have a large handle to crank up. The trailer end has a chain with a hook to secure to "D" rings on the trailer. These are actually from a vender that supplies equipment to a salvage yard near me so they are designed for hard use.
Okay ...I guess I left myself open for the trailer queen comment, But I've been working on my 68L coupe for two years now and I'm not ready to drive that yet so I bought a stable mate for it. The 64 Coupe is mostly original and drives very nice but I don't want to add to the 50,604 miles hammering on the interstate from the Mississippi river to Saratoga Springs NY
Everyone has been so helpful maybe I should consider joining a local chapter.Comment
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Re: C2- Trailer tie down
By all means join a local chapter. It allows members to interact on a local basis. Not all members can or want to go to a Regional or a National. Chapters vary in what their preferred activities are. Some meet for camaradie, some road tour, host tech sessions, judging schools, judging events, etc. Some do all.
The friends you make and the good times that can be had make memories for tommorrow.Dick WhittingtonComment
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