trailering a 71 convertible s/b

[Ralph Harvey]

I recently purchased a 24' Haulmark "Thrifty Hauler" trailer and plan on attending the Florida Regional in Jan. 08 with our 71 enclosed. I need to park the 71 front end in so there will be 10-15% on the tongue. Without any additional weight in the front of the trailer how far in from the rear door do I have to park the 71 to achieve the proper distribution? I'm sure someone has done this in the past. Any help appreciated.
Thx
Ralph Harvey #28843

[Dave P.]

Re: trailering a 71 convertible s/b

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[Dave P.]

Re: trailering a 71 convertible s/b

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[Harmon C.]

Re: trailering a 71 convertible s/b

Ralph

In your Haulmark trailor the rear wheels on your Corvette will need to be just in front of where the flat floor starts. This will be a good starting point. Load all the extra things in the front as the weight adds up fast. RV sites should show how to check tongue weights with a bathroom scales and a couple boards so it reads half the tongue weight.

Lyle

[Harmon C.]

Re: trailering a 71 convertible s/b

Ralph

In your Haulmark trailor the rear wheels on your Corvette will need to be just in front of where the flat floor starts. This will be a good starting point. Load all the extra things in the front as the weight adds up fast. RV sites should show how to check tongue weights with a bathroom scales and a couple boards so it reads half the tongue weight.

Lyle

[Bob R.]

Re: trailering a 71 convertible s/b

I noticed a suggestion on not using the rear spring as an attachment point, you might also note don't use the rear half shafts as an attachment point either. It pulled the shims out of my friends 65 trailing arms. Use the factory hold down holes in the rear cross member.

[Bob R.]

Re: trailering a 71 convertible s/b

I noticed a suggestion on not using the rear spring as an attachment point, you might also note don't use the rear half shafts as an attachment point either. It pulled the shims out of my friends 65 trailing arms. Use the factory hold down holes in the rear cross member.

[Stephen L.]

Re: trailering a 71 convertible s/b

Ralph, I own a 24 Haulmark that I trailer my 67 BB coupe in, so the dimensions you ask for should be similiar. I pull it with a Ram Diesel 2500. It pulls well with no sway etc.
Dimensions:
Trailer:
From tongue ball centerline to centerline between the tandem wheels 17'10"
Corvette front tire centerline to foward trailer bulkhead 9'.

Here are some suggestions for tiedown.....
I installed a winch in the trailer for those times when you may need to bring home a non-running vehicle. The cost was about the same as an escape door. Many escape doors are too high and the corvette drivers door won't open over it, so I went with the winch. The winch came in handy for transporting the body on a dolly. I always winch the car into and out of the trailer....
This allows me to preset the length of the rear tiedown straps after I've adjusted them the first time for optimum towing location. You don't need to readjust the length each time you load the car. Just hook and go.....
I can then hook up the rear straps to the frame anchor points (see photo) while the car is on the the ramp and just pull it in with the winch, until the straps are tight. I also cross the straps to minimize side movement. The straps are fairly long and horizontal so the possibility of movement is minimized as the car suspension flexs. I use the "J" hooks on the rear frame (ahead of the tire) points with rubber hose on them to prevent marring the frame paint.
Now all you need to do is tie down the front points. I tie the front down using a sling around the lower ball joint area.

Rear tie down hook
Rear frame anchor point
Rear crossed straps
Front lower A arm tie down point
Front tie downs
Winch pull point
Winch mounting
Transporting body

[Stephen L.]

Re: trailering a 71 convertible s/b

Ralph, I own a 24 Haulmark that I trailer my 67 BB coupe in, so the dimensions you ask for should be similiar. I pull it with a Ram Diesel 2500. It pulls well with no sway etc.
Dimensions:
Trailer:
From tongue ball centerline to centerline between the tandem wheels 17'10"
Corvette front tire centerline to foward trailer bulkhead 9'.

Here are some suggestions for tiedown.....
I installed a winch in the trailer for those times when you may need to bring home a non-running vehicle. The cost was about the same as an escape door. Many escape doors are too high and the corvette drivers door won't open over it, so I went with the winch. The winch came in handy for transporting the body on a dolly. I always winch the car into and out of the trailer....
This allows me to preset the length of the rear tiedown straps after I've adjusted them the first time for optimum towing location. You don't need to readjust the length each time you load the car. Just hook and go.....
I can then hook up the rear straps to the frame anchor points (see photo) while the car is on the the ramp and just pull it in with the winch, until the straps are tight. I also cross the straps to minimize side movement. The straps are fairly long and horizontal so the possibility of movement is minimized as the car suspension flexs. I use the "J" hooks on the rear frame (ahead of the tire) points with rubber hose on them to prevent marring the frame paint.
Now all you need to do is tie down the front points. I tie the front down using a sling around the lower ball joint area.

Rear tie down hook
Rear frame anchor point
Rear crossed straps
Front lower A arm tie down point
Front tie downs
Winch pull point
Winch mounting
Transporting body

[Ralph Harvey]

Re: trailering a 71 convertible s/b

Thank you to all that responded to my request. This is one more reason to belong to the NCRS family. Great response and support. We'll see you in Kissimmee in January.
Thx Ralph Harvey #28843

[Ralph Harvey]

Re: trailering a 71 convertible s/b

Thank you to all that responded to my request. This is one more reason to belong to the NCRS family. Great response and support. We'll see you in Kissimmee in January.
Thx Ralph Harvey #28843

[Joseph T.]

Re: trailering a 71 convertible s/b

Invest in a weight distribution hitch and anti sway bars.. make sure you properly inflate your tires, when you stop for gas check to make sure your car is secure in the trailer...and straps are tight. Make sure you have a spare tire and wheel. It can be a bonus to have a heavy duty jack and wood block if you need to change a tire.

Check with your car insurance Co. about trailer insurance and ask what type of roadside assistance if any applies to the trailer.

I cross my tie down straps to prevent the car from moving sideways in the trailer..which I had happen when not crossing the straps. Others may have another way.

Make your self a check list before leaving. Take your loaded car for a test drive with the trailer.

Enjoy a safe trip to Florida.

Joe

[Joseph T.]

Re: trailering a 71 convertible s/b

Invest in a weight distribution hitch and anti sway bars.. make sure you properly inflate your tires, when you stop for gas check to make sure your car is secure in the trailer...and straps are tight. Make sure you have a spare tire and wheel. It can be a bonus to have a heavy duty jack and wood block if you need to change a tire.

Check with your car insurance Co. about trailer insurance and ask what type of roadside assistance if any applies to the trailer.

I cross my tie down straps to prevent the car from moving sideways in the trailer..which I had happen when not crossing the straps. Others may have another way.

Make your self a check list before leaving. Take your loaded car for a test drive with the trailer.

Enjoy a safe trip to Florida.

Joe

[Don S.]

Re: trailering a 71 convertible s/b

Steve-- Those were awesome pictures and a very good post. . I am wondering why you do not cross the front tie downs as well. You should also drive a little more smoothly--You are shaking the doors right off your vette. I have seen trailer set ups with a couple of pieces of 2X10 (tapered at the end) on each sideof the car on the floor which raises the car so that the car doors clear the opening on the side of the trailer.

[Don S.]

Re: trailering a 71 convertible s/b

Steve-- Those were awesome pictures and a very good post. . I am wondering why you do not cross the front tie downs as well. You should also drive a little more smoothly--You are shaking the doors right off your vette. I have seen trailer set ups with a couple of pieces of 2X10 (tapered at the end) on each sideof the car on the floor which raises the car so that the car doors clear the opening on the side of the trailer.