Trailer Towing followup question

[Jeff396]

Had a heck of a time trying to figure out where I was going to hook on to the Corvette with the straps. There is no place where you can get axle straps around the frame that won't cause some sort of problem. I did notice some oval holes in the frame in the front and back. I went to Northern Tools and bought some 5/16 inch Grade 7 T hooks that fit in these slots quite nicely. My question is are these strong enough to handle strapping the car down with. I believe it's what they are meant for but I sure would feel a lot better if there was a working load rating on them. I'm thinking of having some sort of backup holding the car but I'm not sure where the heck I would attach it.

Jeff

 

[RobertN]

Check the Vette and Racing forums; they must be out there. I'm sure those guys trailer to shows and races. You might check locally for anyone who fabricates stock cars or sprint cars too.

Also, ask one of the tow truck places that uses flatbed trucks. They should be able to give you some hints.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

The T hooks to the frame will work fine if it's just a car to be hauled.

But it's been my experience that the best way to secure a car that you care about on a trailer for hauling is to attach at the wheels or at points so the body works as it should on unbound suspension.

There is the potential for harm to come to the suspension components if you bind down the frame or body so that it's in compression. Using slings designed for hauling valuable cars that secure just the wheels and tires is a great way I'd consider if I was you. Another option would be to attach to the rear end itself and to the front A arms.

I have some friends who transport cars. It always makes my skin get scare bumps when I see them bind them down by the frames and putting the suspension componets in severe compression.

 

[Jeff396]

It would be my preference to use the over the tire restraint net. However, being that this trailer is a rental there is no point for attachment of that system. I've been searching all over the net trying to find the best way to bind the car. It seems there are just as many opinions one way as the other. I even found one group who loop the straps through openings in their wheels for transport. I would think that attaching to the suspension or wheels could be hard on the cars alignment. The Corvette is kinda unique in that it doesn't have a rear axle like typical cars. To hook up to the rear suspension I would have to wrap my axle straps around the half shafts which scares me. The half shaft also serves double duty as an upper suspension componant. In the front, the A arms are much less substantial than my T-birds. I'm thinking that I will be okay with the frame mount as the angle of the straps going away from the car will be pretty low. I will just be taking the bounce out of the suspension while keeping the car from moving for or aft. I have also read that it's best to cross the straps in both the front and rear to eliminate any side to side movement. My main concern now is that all of the hardware and ratchet straps are up to the task.

Jeff

 

[RobertN]

Here's some handy hints from an antique tractor page.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ytmag.com/articles/artint134.htm>http://www.ytmag.com/articles/artint134.htm</A>

 

[njrqs]

<font color=blue>My main concern now is that all of the hardware and ratchet straps are up to the task</font color=blue>

I broke one of my EXPENSIVE and STRONG webbing straps transporting my tractor. The webbing was rubbing on a en exposed piece of metal on the wheel and it rebbued right through after only 10-20km.

So check where you run the straps.

Broke a CHEAPY on my boat but that was a real crappy one.

Cheers

 

[Jeff396]

Now that I only have to go to Knoxville, TN (250 miles) as opposed to Ohio (700 miles) I will have all day Tuesday to diddle around with strapping the car down and test driving the trailer loaded to get the feel of it. I don't think there is any danger of rubbing on metal but you never know until you actually try it. Believe me, I will be careful and will be stopping often to make sure nothing has come loose./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I called my insurance co to make sure that the trailer, the vette and my truck were all covered for this excursion. Now I know he was just trying to reassure me that everything was covered but I didn't need to hear "Yep, if you roll the entire rig you are covered." comment.

Jeff

 

[Steven]

This company "AWDIRECT" specializes in towing an transport equipment. you should be able to use the slots in the frame that is what they are there for. this is a link to there t hooks.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.awdirect.com/awdirect/catalog.cfm?dest=dir&linkid=110&linkon=subsection>http://www.awdirect.com/awdirect/catalog.cfm?dest=dir&linkid=110&linkon=subsection</A>

have them send you a free catalog it has all kinds of neat stuff.

 

[Jeff396]

Thanks, those look just like what I got from Northern Tool except for the color. Theirs are rated at 3900 lbs working load limit which is slightly more than my ratchet straps and axle straps. Looks like everything should be up to the task! I'm making the trip on Wednesday....I'll yet y'all know how it goes. Thanks again!!!

Have I mentioned how great it is to actually live near a Northern Tool store? Just like a kid in a candy shop!!!!

Jeff

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Jeff,

A little off topic but what is the year of your square bird?

About twenty five years ago at a swap meet in southern California I paid five dollars for a large box of large toys. In that box was some Tonka trucks I've never seen anywhere else. Also there were four square bird models. AMT factory models like you'd see at the dealer. If you turn them over on the bottom were features like lifetime muffler etc. I have them in a friends display case. He used to president of a local square bird club. If I recall correctly it was like a 61, a 62, and two 63's.