C2 Trailering and Tie down

[Jim V.]

I am currently researching trailers and tie down options for a c2. Given the budget and space issues I feel smaller and lighter is better. My tow vehicle is a 1996 Ford E150 Van with a 5.8L and tow package.

I have heard some negatives of using suspension a-frames and rear strut rods as tie down points on the corvetteforum C5 roadrace forum.

Anybody familiar or currently use a trailer by ATC (Aluminum Trailer Co.) out of Indiana? How about Trailex or deep pocket featherlite?

Thanks again!
JimV

[Terry M.]

Re: C2 Trailering and Tie down

"have heard some negatives of using suspension a-frames and rear strut rods as tie down points on the corvetteforum C5 roadrace forum."

Jim,
There are several threads on this subject in the archives.
Some folks like to use the factory tie down points (me), others like tire nets, and others use various suspension points. I think it is fair to say that everyone made their rational for their favorite method in those threads.

[John M.]

Re: C2 Trailering and Tie down

There are lots of ways but I've been putting the front ones thru the lower a-arms and the rear ones either in the frame pocket or the hole for the seat belt cable in the corner bracket in front of the kickup in an x pattern. I've also put the rears around the half shafts without any problems.

[Jim V.]

Thanks Terry

Read the tons of stuff in archives. Are you still using Northern Tools straps/rachets and then the CE8171-1 cluster hook (R hook) from the elgin co.?

BTW...as a fellow Chicagoan...do you know of anybody who would be willing to rent/sell their small trailer. I am considering picking up a C2 about 500 miles away.

Thanks
JimV

[Terry M.]

Re: Thanks Terry

Yes Jim, I am still using that equipment. I don't own a trailer. I mooch one when the need arises. There is just no place to store one where I live -- at least no reasonable place. I find one of the advantages of membership in the Illinois Chapter of NCRS (or wherever your local chapter is) is that it gives me contacts to rent/borrow such items as a trailer or special tools.

[Dave S.]

Re: C2 Trailering and Tie down

Jim,
I've trailered my cars from Massachusetts to Florida to Ontairo and Quebec and places in between on several occasions. I've got a Trailex enclosed unit and tow it with a Jeep V8 Grand Cherokee. I went with the Trailex to save purchasing a special tow vechicle. It works a bit hard on steep hills but otherwise it tows beautifully. I use 36" straps looped around the control arms at the front and looped around the lower shock mounts on the rear. Each point has a rachet strap to pull things together. The majority of the time I tow a C3 but C2's should be similiar.

[Jim V.]

Thanks

I am interested in the trailex for the same reasons. Small and light makes sense to me. I did read the light trailers, expecially featherlites, bounce alot when unloaded. Is that your experience with the enclosed trailex? What model trailex are you using? Did you shop others as well?

Thanks
JimV

[John H.]

Re: Thanks

Pay attention to trailer axle capacities if you look at any enclosed trailer - many of the less expensive enclosed trailers have standard-equipment axles that aren't rated to carry the weight of the trailer and a 3500# car.

[Dave S.]

Re: Thanks

Jim,
The decision was easy for me. With my tow vehicle situation and looking at the quality/balance etc. of the Trailex it was a no brainer. If you already have a large SUV you could consider a lesser cost trailer but I felt the larger $ investment in the trailer more than offset the cost and occasional use of a large tow vehicle. I took my 71 on a 200 mile trip last weekend to the chapter meet and averaged 12.5 MPG. The only drawback to Trailex that I found was the price but I'm convinced that will more than solve itself at resale time.

[mike cobine]

Re: C2 Trailering and Tie down

If you are planning on having the trailer for a long time, then buy. If you are simply going to pick up a car, rent or borrow.

Your Ford van should tow most trailers you get.

If you are planning to buy to use a very short time and then sell, buy used. Even though prices seem to stay up there on trailers recently, you will lose a fair amount on a new one used one time.

If you are simply having a car picked up to bring home, and have no other use for it, consider the transporting services. At $3 a gallon, and you will be probably 8 - 10 mpg with an enclosed trailer, you are looking at a minimum of 100 gallons of gas or $300. Then you have registration, time for going there and back, and so on. You can probably get it transported for $600 or less for such a short distance.

If you are in the Chicago area, how far are you from the various conversion van manufacturers in Indiana? Many of those deadhead back from dropping off their vans, so they pick up cars and such to pay the trip back. Frequently very good deals. They will pick them up at the door, but drop off at their lot, so you would have to actually drive the car home.

[Jim V.]

Thanks Mike....very helpful, sage advice nm *NM*