Trailor hook ups, 63 Corvette

[Tom A.]

I have an open car hauler. On differential cars I have all ways attached axel straps to rear differential housing. What do I attach I attach them to on rear of 63? I have no problem with the front, but all suggestions are most welcome. Thank you very much. Tom

[Bob R.]

Re: Trailor hook ups, 63 Corvette

The factory provided slot holes on the frame cross member just in front of the rear wheels for tie downs. The factory used an r shaped hook on the straps. Someone posted a photo of them a couple of days ago. That is the best way to tie the car at the rear.

[Stephen L.]

Re: Trailor hook ups, 63 Corvette

I tie down my 67 rear on the frame ahead of the rear wheels in the frame gusset openings using hooks covered with rubber hose to protect the paint. Cross the straps to minimize side slip.
In the front I tie short straps over/thru the lower "A" arms.
These locations allow the suspension to function and places no strain on parts.

The cable in front,with the yellow tag, is for the winch which I use to load the car, eliminating the requirement for a left side access door. It also works well when my friend's car isn't running and he needs some help to get home

Works great for me.

[Alan D.]

Re: Trailor hook ups, 63 Corvette

Tom,
I've been using the half shafts - use a loop strap then tie directly back. Have friends who have done that for 15 years without any problems.

The front I do as Stephen but cross those. Always felt that steering could let car move a little in front.

Main reason I opted not to use frame was warning about 45 year old frames may not being as good as day one.

Not an expert and open to change.

[Art A.]

Re: Trailor hook ups, 63 Corvette

"Main reason I opted not to use frame was warning about 45 year old frames may not being as good as day one."

If you look closely at the GM tie down locations, stick a pinkie in the holes in the rear cross member, and you will see that they have a reinforcement plate welded inside the CM. If you don't trust you cars frame then maybe it should become a garage queen.......

For the life of me I can't figure out why anyone would NOT use the GM tie down locations.......they are very fast to hook and unhook and will NOT hurt the vehicles suspension. The "R" hooks are designed to NOT come out until they are turned 90 degrees, so they can't just fall out.

JMHO

[John F.]

Re: Trailor hook ups, 63 Corvette

Just went about 2800 miles round trip with my 62 on an open trailer. I cross-tied the front thru the A-arms and frame and cross-tied the rear over the axle on both sides of the differential. Then for good measure/overkill added two more straps in the front A-arms to the side and into the holes on the rear cross member to each side. No problems.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Trailor hook ups, 63 Corvette

For the life of me I can't figure out why anyone would NOT use the GM tie down locations.......they are very fast to hook and unhook and will NOT hurt the vehicles suspension. The "R" hooks are designed to NOT come out until they are turned 90 degrees, so they can't just fall out.

JMHO

I'll say this -

Most people don't use them because they don't know they exist or how to use them. Other than occasional references on this board, how is a Corvette owner ever to know that they are built into the car? You can't find the info in a Service Manual or an owner's manual.

Someone else finally posted a picture today of where the front holes are on a C2 frame. I still do not know "exactly" where the rear holes are located even though I've seen it written on this board. I'm a "gotta see it" kinda guy.

So, I think it's relatively obvious why most people don't use them. They don't know about them or how to use them. And, they see so many cars being trailered with the "more common" criss-cross strap arrangement that it's assumed to be correct.

Patrick

[Terry M.]

Re: Trailor hook ups, 63 Corvette

Next time we are at a meet together, remind me, and I'll show you, Patrick. The rear ones are the same C2 or C3.

As others have said, the other tie down points seem to work for most people and we are a bunch of imitators. I tend to side with Art though. While some of the "engineering features" of our cars downright befuddle me (thinking the variants of TCS, CEC systems in the 1970-1972 range) it seems to me there is no good reason not to use the engineered tie-down locations for trailering.

[Dick W.]

Re: Trailor hook ups, 63 Corvette

The easiest way I have found to attach the rear "R" hooks is to pull the front of the car in the trailer, have someone attach the rear hooks and place the rear straps inside the rear tires. That way, when you drive on in, the straps are trailing the car and you do not have to be a contortionist to attach them. Or if you are like me, too d****d fat to get under the car

[Art A.]

Re: Trailor hook ups, 63 Corvette

Dick, you don't have to get your...............or my, fat a** under the car to attach the rears. After the car is in the trailer, slide (toss) the strap, I use the cross method on the rears, under the car so that the "R" hook ends up towards the front of the rear tire, then from the side of the car, in front of the rear tire, grab the hook and the cm slot can be reached from the side.

[Terry M.]

Re: Trailor hook ups, 63 Corvette

You think the rears on the C2/C3 are tough to get to in the trailer? I will confess we hauled the Z06 from the Museum home -- I beg forgiveness and almost two years later it has right at 20K on it, so have atoned for my sins. Anyway, I was just astounded when the guy who owns the tow rig proceeded to say "Put it in the box." I did, and he tossed the tie-downs under the car -- crossed both ends -- and from the side of the car hooked the R-hooks into each hole by brail. Of course they are much closer to the outboard than on the C2/C3 and he is more slightly built than most of us, but that car is right down on the ground and it is wide enough to leave little clearance on the sides. You could have knocked me over when I saw what he did. Afterwards he told me it was not his first Z06 tie-down, but I was still impressed.

[Bob R.]

Re: Trailor hook ups, 63 Corvette

A friend of mine used the half shafts to hold down his 65 and upon arival at our destination (Carlisle) we found shims on the deck of the trailer. The movement of the car pulled them out of the trailing arms. I think I would stick to the designers locations. There is a reason for them.

[David R.]

Re: Trailor hook ups, 63 Corvette

Picture of rear hole on C3 ('78), note circled hole with downturned lip for the extra reinforcement.

[Dick W.]

Re: Trailor hook ups, 63 Corvette

Dick, you don't have to get your...............or my, fat a** under the car to attach the rears. After the car is in the trailer, slide (toss) the strap, I use the cross method on the rears, under the car so that the "R" hook ends up towards the front of the rear tire, then from the side of the car, in front of the rear tire, grab the hook and the cm slot can be reached from the side.

Art, in the last trailer I had, the rear tie downs managed to work out right in the middle of the trailer wheel boxes. My fat azz would not even begin to get down in there

[Michael H.]

Re: Trailor hook ups, 63 Corvette

And a word to the wise, as long as we're on the subject of trailering cars. Be sure to apply the parking brake to prevent ANY fore/aft rocking/movement of the car. Very important that the wheels do not rotate back/forth, even a tiny bit. This movement can ruin a wheel/spindle bearing. Very common problem.

You would think that if the car is secured well with straps or chain binders that there would be no movement, but there is.