How do you tiedown a 1970 Vette to trailer it?

[Jim F.]

I have never trailered my 1970 Vette. How do you tie it down on a trailer? I don't see where you can connect the tiedown straps. Should you leave it in gear or neutral, using emergency brake? If I ever broke down and had to call a wrecker, how would they get it on a flatbed w/o damaging something? Would appreciate your help. My email address is fox2x2@aol.com

Thanks,
Jim Fox
Baton Rouge, LA

[Bob B.]

Re: How do you tiedown a 1970 Vette to trailer it?

Jim,

Most frames have slots in them that were used to tie down the car when it was shipped. Most tie-down chains or straps have 3-4 different "keys" on the end and one will usually go right in and fit snugly. Or you can just use the nylon straps, wrap them around whatever is convenient and tighten. I suspect that most reputable tow trucks have a variety of whatever is necessary to properly secure a car.

Bob

[Terry M.]

Re: How do you tiedown a 1970 Vette to trailer it?

There has been ad nausium discussions of these issues in the past. When I page down to the bottom of the page with these posts on it there are four "similar posts" listed. Two of those deal with trailering C2 Corvettes. I would bet the same issues are discussed there.

I know I have posted the early C3 tie-down locations in at least two threads on the subject, and others have posted the same information in other threads. The rear tie down slots are in the same place on both C2 and early C3 frames. The front locations are different for C2 and C3.

The hooks you need are called T-hooks and are available from suppliers to the towing and recovery industry. R-hooks will also work, but are not the ones designed for GM vehicles. Google is you friend.

[Jim F.]

Re: How do you tiedown a 1970 Vette to trailer it?

Where are the front tiedown slots on a C3 and should you trailer it in gear or in neutral?

[Terry M.]

Re: How do you tiedown a 1970 Vette to trailer it?

1) Inboard of the lower control arm mounting position.

2) There are advocates of each.

[John D.]

Re: How do you tiedown a 1970 Vette to trailer it?

Where are the front tiedown slots on a C3 and should you trailer it in gear or in neutral?

Neutral for sure Jim. Otherwise you may chip or break a tooth off,etc and damage the tranny.
Front: Throw a strap around the aframe. The strap has two closed loops on the ends. Then use typical tie downs available from all the trailer suppliers. Criss-cross the front for sure. Use your D hooks on the floor and just ratchet the straps tight.

Rear: For my 63 I throw a strap around the ends of the springs. I do not criss-cross the rear as there is a chance the straps could travel up the spring. So for the read I use a strap then a typical ratchet tie downs to trailer floor for each side. Make sure all four straps are tight. Stop once in a while and check them. I also like to use the big rubber blocks for the tires. Some say you should cross the front and the rear. Lots of opinions on this.
But don't put the car is gear for sure. Hard on the equipment. John

[Terry M.]

Re: How do you tiedown a 1970 Vette to trailer it?

John -- When I was chasing all the awards I towed my 1970 all over the country in gear with the P brake on -- No problems. I know a lot of others who tow with the car in gear, and many like you who wouldn’t do it on a bet. That is why I advised Jim there are all kinds of opinions on the issue. BTW: Ever meet anyone who chipped a transmission tooth while towing without having a accident to cause it? I haven't.

In an early C3 to leave the trans in neutral you will have to leave the key in the ignition if the interlock is working. The only way the key comes out, if the car works as it should, is with the transmission in reverse -- or park if an M40. That is more than a little different than your lwc. It may be no issue to leave the key in the ignition if you have a battery disconnect and an enclosed trailer, but most of my towing was on an open trailer and leaving the key in the car didn’t seem like a wise move even though I had another key and could lock the doors. I chose to take the key out and lock the doors.

Our cars were delivered with the transmission in reverse and tied down to the reinforced chassis locations designed for that purpose. If it was good enough for Chevrolet to deliver it that way, it is good enough for me.

[John D.]

Re: How do you tiedown a 1970 Vette to trailer it?

Terrry, I have been going to car shows since 1965 with various cars. Anyhow I always had the car in gear forever and a day. Well recently I was informed by a punch of old racers and gear heads that I should not have the car in gear because of what I said before. I said well this is news to me but I will go along with the knowledge as what the do I know??? That's how this info came about. To further expand the story the Seven Springs event was the first time in my life that I towed without having the tranny in gear. Truthfully while pulling up the steep mountains of Seven Springs with the metal to the pedal I said to myself. Said I hope Barry is correct on the not in gear thing.
I was waiting for someone to pick up on the no gear thing and appreciate your reply.
Now if Clem is looking in (which I know he is) please chirp in as the no gear thing came from your buddies . John D.

[Stuart F.]

Re: How do you tiedown a 1970 Vette to trailer it?

There may be rare occasions when you might want to grab a hold of the car and move it out of harms way by hand. I can't imagine a circumstance on a trailer like that, but I never leave my Vette in a garage in gear (or on jack stands for that matter). This comes from living in houses with attached garages, I guess. I want to be able to yank that sucker out by hand, specially in case of a fire. Granted on a trailer it is usually tied down so the point may be moot, but I guess it is just a stigma of mine. The same may be true on the consideration for the gear box, etc. There are those who wouldn't think of parking on the street in gear for fear of drive line damage if it got run into, or like in the old days with bumpers, your buddy sneeks up behind you and tries to give you a shove when your making out with your girl friend, Ha!

Stu Fox

[Terry M.]

Re: How do you tiedown a 1970 Vette to trailer it?

I frequently leave the car in neutral in the garage. Having the key in the ignition helps me find it, and security is not an issue in the garage.

As to neutral or in gear on the trailer -- after reading four to six of these threads over the years on a couple of different forums I really don't think it makes a lick of difference. Do whatever makes you comfortable.

Edit add: Twice I have seen Corvettes roll off the trailer when the front tie-downs were loosened. If you decide to trailer your Corvette in neutral be sure the car is restrained somehow before you loosen the tie-downs.

I do feel strongly about the tie-down points, but we can all do what we want with our cars.

[John D.]

Re: How do you tiedown a 1970 Vette to trailer it?

Terry, I have been thinking about this most of the evening and have decided next time my LWC is on the trailer it will be in gear. If it hurts something then you will have that. When I was removing the front tie downs I said to myself. What if the car starts moving backwards as you mentioned. So I retract my statement. John

[Art A.]

Re: How do you tiedown a 1970 Vette to trailer it?

Terry, I think you will find that the GM hook is the R hook, not the T hook. And I totally agree with you....................use the da*n tie down locations DESIGNED by GM.

There has been ad nausium discussions of these issues in the past. When I page down to the bottom of the page with these posts on it there are four "similar posts" listed. Two of those deal with trailering C2 Corvettes. I would bet the same issues are discussed there.

I know I have posted the early C3 tie-down locations in at least two threads on the subject, and others have posted the same information in other threads. The rear tie down slots are in the same place on both C2 and early C3 frames. The front locations are different for C2 and C3.

The hooks you need are called T-hooks and are available from suppliers to the towing and recovery industry. R-hooks will also work, but are not the ones designed for GM vehicles. Google is you friend.

[Terry M.]

Re: How do you tiedown a 1970 Vette to trailer it?

I have a ring with three hooks on it, and I use the one that is shaped like a bent T -- that's why I thought it was called the T hook, but maybe that is wrong. Am I using the wrong nomenclature, or the wrong hook?

[Art A.]

Re: How do you tiedown a 1970 Vette to trailer it?

Terry this is the R hook designed to fit GM vehicles............is that what you are using?

http://www.truckntow.com/pc-11281-147164-r-hook.aspx

I have a ring with three hooks on it, and I use the one that is shaped like a bent T -- that's why I thought it was called the T hook, but maybe that is wrong. Am I using the wrong nomenclature, or the wrong hook?

[Terry M.]

Re: How do you tiedown a 1970 Vette to trailer it?

No Art. This is the one I was using. Looks like I was using the wrong one, but it seems to fit the hole fine. This one seemed to work for both the 1970 and the 2008 Z06.

http://www.truckntow.com/pc-11282-147164-t-hook.aspx