Trailering a 1960

[Valeria H.]

Re: Trailering a 1960

Thank you all for your posts and pictures. I will reference this thread again. My husband just had a chemo treatment scheduled for that Friday so we will be staying local.
I really need to know how to trailer a car at some point in the future.
Also, thanks to Dick W for the CPCC reference. I hope they still have classes on the mechanics of old cars. I'll check it out.

Oh lord, I almost bought my third corvette off of ebay this week. Unfortunately it did not have an engine! My husband will kick me and my cars out on the street if I buy another.

[Stephen B.]

Re: Trailering a 1960

John,

You're brave mentioning that you drive a Toyota Tundra. I put a thread on here about a possible Corvette towing application because I was thinking about buying a Tundra. I got some good info, but got burned at the stake in the process!

Valeria,

Here's the thread, maybe it will help you:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?t=73679&uid=1008

P.S. Don't tell any of the members here, but I did buy the 5.7 L Tundra and am very happy with it. I think I will get the supercharger though, it has trouble getting up to speed quick enough on a very short entrance ramp. It will tow close to 11,000 pounds even without the supercharger.

Joe

Joe it's not to late to trade the Jap truck for a Silverado. Quick before the frame rusts out right under you take the money you are going to spend on the supercharger trade up to a new CHEVY. You'll never be sorry. By the way the general makes a diesel thats second to none for towing.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73

[Joe R.]

Re: Trailering a 1960

Joe it's not to late to trade the Jap truck for a Silverado. Quick before the frame rusts out right under you take the money you are going to spend on the supercharger trade up to a new CHEVY. You'll never be sorry. By the way the general makes a diesel thats second to none for towing.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73

Stephen,

You're a funny man, I can just tell. If I was towing I would certainly consider a GM diesel. But I have no immediate need to tow. But I do have an immediate need for speed. I suspect that 500 horses of rice burnin' power is more temptation than I can stand!

Joe

[Matt L.]

Re: Trailering a 1960

i currently have a 1/2 ton 09 gmc with the 6.2. 403hp. it has the tow package on it and when in trailer mode, as you tap the brakes, it downshifts kinda like a jake brake. i love my gmc. and joe...with a supercharger on my truck i can expect 550 hp! i just cant spend that money yet. my 64 is eating up all my fun money.lol.
i would definetly suggest at least a half ton. just be careful. take your time and overstrap your car. i always use at least 4 if i am going any kind of distance. i use the 4 inch wide ratchet style.

[Jim L.]

Re: Trailering a 1960

My husband just had a chemo treatment scheduled for that Friday so we will be staying local.

Ugh. Chemo is rough.... on both the patient and the spouse. Been there, done that (as spouse). Good luck to you both.

I really need to know how to trailer a car at some point in the future.

Others have pointed out the need for a competent tow rig, and I certainly concur. The difference between towing with a weenie, underpowered vehicle and one with the torque to see the job through to the end is dramatic.

However, my suggestion is a little different: If you have never towed before, learn using an open trailer before you graduate to a closed trailer.

The advantage is that the open trailer lets you more easily see and visualize what's going on behind you, particularly when backing up. It's also more maneuverable if you find yourself in a tight spot. You'll develop some feel for how much the presence of a trailer increases your braking distance as well as how it affects your ability to accelerate.

Think of it as a tow rig with training wheels.

Good luck!

Jim

[Gary C.]

Re: Trailering a 1960

Valeria,

Maybe someone in your Chapter will give you some towing turning, backup lessons with an open trailer and pickup. There are lots of things to learn about towing. Instructions by someone who's done it for a while are very helpful moving up the learning curve.

Tip - when going to enclosed structures such as tunnels or bridges with overhead railing - manage your space from the left mirror. If you control the left mirror space, the right side should be OK. Also, mirror extensions are a must.

Just a thought.

Gary
....

[Dick W.]

Re: Trailering a 1960

. i use the 4 inch wide ratchet style.

Matt, do you mean the 2" straps? The 4" that I have seen would be a little awkward to tie a car down with

[Matt L.]

Re: Trailering a 1960

hi dick,
yes,the 4 inch straps. my friends always give me grief on the overkill. they kid me telling me i have enough straps to tie down a caterpillar dozer.

valeria,
my prayers are with you and your husband on his treatments. i pray he has a speedy recovery and is able to enjoy your passion of cars together again very soon.
take care,
matt

[William L.]

Re: Trailering a 1960

Valeria
All good advice from Dick, Jim and Gary. Trailering is Serious business and if not done right with the right equipment you can end up in BIG trouble.
Here is a picture of a guy that trailered over 50,000 miles a year bought a new trailer ever 2 years and still got bit. A spring shackle broke while he was going down the highway. Tire starting rubbing on the upper fender caught the wood panelling on fire and you can see the the results.
Buy the best equipment you can afford, have someone show the right way to tie your car down with 4 tie downs. There is no over kill in safety. and always have a back up. If you ever get in trouble you will be glad you did it right way.Just my 2 cents worth. I did it on the cheep once when I was young and fearless and it almost cost me BIG.
Bill

[Russ S.]

Re: Trailering a 1960

If you do use an open trailer be sure you have some provision for the control of rocks and other debris so you don't end up with paint chips.

[William L.]

Re: Trailering a 1960

This trailer had a solid floor and we built the air damn. It keep the car almost as clean as the enclosed trailer.

[Dick W.]

Re: Trailering a 1960

hi dick,
yes,the 4 inch straps. my friends always give me grief on the overkill. they kid me telling me i have enough straps to tie down a caterpillar dozer.

valeria,
my prayers are with you and your husband on his treatments. i pray he has a speedy recovery and is able to enjoy your passion of cars together again very soon.
take care,
matt

The 2" straps that I use are rated for 4,700# per strap, with a breaking strenth of over 17,000#. I guarantee that the tiedown point in the floor will rip out or break before the straps will.

I use 4" straps on my flat trailers, hauling machinery and equipment that weights 3-5 times what a Corvette weights