What are the specifics, I've heard that using a 2 wheel trailer is a really bad Idea, but why?
What companies have people worked with to get their C3 transported?
How much for say 400 miles?
Does anyone have a trailer they'd loan me so I can get my car home cheap?

Scot

Towing it that far with the rear wheels on the ground will damage the transmission. It will damage automatic quicker than a manual, but manuals can be damaged as well. Many people will tell you that the manual won't be hurt. Not true. The output shaft in in line and part of the main shaft. With everything in neutral the input and counter shaft don't turn, unless the engine is running. The main shaft does not sit in oil. The counter shaft does, but it's not turning. So no oil to spinning parts. Bye Bye trans.

If you put the rear wheels on a dolly and leave the front on the ground you can tow it as long as you like. I brought mine home 500 miles this way. Rented a U-Haul dolly and borrowed my sister's Blazer.

kstyer said: ... If you put the rear wheels on a dolly and leave the front on the ground you can tow it as long as you like. ...

Just be mindful of the angle that the nose is pointed towards the ground. You wouldn't want to rip the front air dam off on an irregularity in the road surface.

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Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Brought mine from Ms. to Tx. using a Uhaul car transport trailer, full length with all wheels off the ground. Also rented the truck to pull it for $350 total.

the only problem with a tow dolly is you will have to drive it on,or in your case back it on.if it does'nt run, you will have to push it on backwards.

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C3VR Lifetime Member #93

I think I'd go for the U Haul trailer for that distance, just for the peace of mind! The only restraint on a dolly is a cloth strap, no redundancy, on a trailer you can ratchet the car down 9 ways from Sunday, 4 tires on a trailer, 2 on a dolly.

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Ron 78 said: the only problem with a tow dolly is you will have to drive it on,or in your case back it on.if it does'nt run, you will have to push it on backwards.

i wouldnt trust a vette on a dolly.. maybe a POS i didnt care much about..

and pushing it up is risky too.. to get it up you have to use quite a bit of force on fiberglass panels..

get some ratchet straps... which youll want to hold it down (10000 lb strap is about 25$ each)

then with a car carrier trailer..

this is tricky

put the car up on 2 jack stands as far back as you can get with the car lifted up in the front

connect a ratchet strap (or come along) through the frame in front and to the trailer (keeps it from shooting out when you set the front tires down on it..

tighten the strap so there is some tension.. then slide the trailer under the front end..

set the car down on the trailer in front and still on ground in rear.. then use the ratchet strap (or a come along) to pull the rear of the car up the ramps and one person rolling each wheel also..

you cannot do this with the car level as the cable or strap need to be above the flat surface of the trailer..

i have found this is the best way to get a dead vette on a trailer without damaging the fiberglass.

either that.. or use a hill.. but you have to get it right the first time with a hill and have good parking brakes..\

ive done both way too many times and its not as hard as it sounds

and be sure to take a floor jack with you... makes it much easier changing the tire on the trailer if there is a flat..

|UPDATED|6/2/2004 2:36:52 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I just used a come along and a chain, hook to the frame, and pulled the rear wheel up on the dolly. No damage, very easy.

I would suggest not only locking the steering wheel, but tie the wheel in place just in case the column lock does not hold. Attaching a strap to steering wheel and to the brake pedal works well.

kstyer said: I just used a come along and a chain, hook to the frame, and pulled the rear wheel up on the dolly. No damage, very easy. I would suggest not only locking the steering wheel, but tie the wheel in place just in case the column lock does not hold. Attaching a strap to steering wheel and to the brake pedal works well.

ive always avoided dollys..

when i was growing up my parents moved and we dollyed a 63 impala from MN to florida.. had a blowout on the impala front passenger side.. it smacked a guard rail before my father could get it stopped..

ill never use one on anything i respect..

flatbed trailers for me all the way..

I think I have access to a flatbed, but KNOW I have access to a dolly. I've still got my fingers crossed that I'll just have a working Vette to DRIVE home like it was INTENDED. Realistially though...I'm sad.

Scot

Thanks for the info guys, and more is definitely appreciated.

If I may make some suggestions. You can find a transporter on this website. www.movecars.com. They are all certified and insured and you'd be surprised how cheap they can deliver a car . it will be on an open air transporter unless you use a specialized transportation service. The speciality guys use mostly enclosed.

I have shipped dozens of specialized cars for our company. I have two that we use that are cheap, insured and deliver ontime and give excellent service. You pay a little more, but they really take care of the cargo. They actually sleep with the car on long runs to keep it secure. Keep in mind if your not in a hurry and can fit their haul schedule so they don't have to make a special run it will save you a bunch. Thats how the big transport companies get it done so cheap.

executive transport: Ask for John. Cell 580-445-5617
Steve Duram Transport: Steve will answer Cell 270-887-1022.

I have also used Road Scholar Transport www.roadscholar.com, 570-348-1155

Reliable Carriers: They have different offices depending on your location. O.E.'s use them alot for their special events. Not the cheapest.

There are others. I would make some calls. i would hate to see you do the tow yourself and damage your vette. You also have to take into consideration the hassle factor.

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After Shark said: If I may make some suggestions. You can find a transporter on this website. www.movecars.com. They are all certified and insured and you'd be surprised how cheap they can deliver a car . it will be on an open air transporter unless you use a specialized transportation service. The speciality guys use mostly enclosed.

every transporter ive ever dealt with has insisted that the car run..

his is currently "DED"

cthulhu said:...every transporter ive ever dealt with has insisted that the car run..his is currently "DED"

I used a transporter to get my "DED" car that had been in storage for 18 years from MD to PA to be restored. I'm still trying to find the name of the place, but I'm pretty sure it was InnerCity Transport. It was a double deck enclosed trailer and they just used a winch to pull it in. I told them from the beginning the car didn't start so they were prepared. Total cost was less than $500. The couple that own the truck transport cars all over the country and I would highly recommend them.

I'll keep looking for the number and update it here if I can find it.

That said, Scot - I think you're Vette is going to get fixed so you can drive it and all this will be great info to have just in case something comes up in the future!

|UPDATED|6/3/2004 9:03:46 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Eric76 said: That said, Scot - I think you're Vette is going to get fixed so you can drive it and all this will be great info to have just in case something comes up in the future!

I think that if something else goes wrong I'm going to walk to "Chick's" house, borrow her glock, walk back to wherever this beast died and kill it for good.

Scot
Frustration Anyone?

|UPDATED|6/3/2004 10:18:02 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Oh no, did I break the forums....looks really "wrong" here...

Scot...
wow...just...wow

Oh Hooray, I fixed it.

Thanks Eric.

Paragon75Ray said: I think that if something else goes wrong I'm going to walk to "Chick's" house, borrow her glock, walk back to wherever this beast died and kill it for good. Scot Frustration Anyone?

Can I borrow the gun when you are done????

I can relate to the ''frustration''!!

|UPDATED|6/6/2004 4:36:18 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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STW!!
Debbie AKA Rose
NCM Charter Member #3445
My Corvette

New question, same theme...is it a bad idea (for the car) to push a Corvette such as mine with an Automatic transmission? I'm looking at a oneway roadtrip to the mid-west at some point this year in my Vette. I'll have a "chase" car and the Vette will be staying out west for a restoration. Basically the thought occurs because if the Vette breaks down half-way there I'm not going to fix it, just call InterCity Lines or some other enclosed transport and have it hauled the rest of the way but the scheduling on those is a few days adv notice. I've no issues with hoteling for a few while I wait for the Encl. Trans. but obviously can't leave it on the side of the interstate, and would rather push a few miles than pay for ANOTHER tow...

Scot
Besides, I'm curious how the whole Auto-trans/tow thing works

Pushing is a bad idea. Its very hard on the bumpers and body work. Its almost assured you will do some damage. As for any distance, the same problem with transmission damage is present as if towing with the rear wheels on the ground.

You could keep a good tow strap with you and pull it slowly until its off the road, and in a safe spot.

|UPDATED|7/5/2004 6:21:59 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Thought so...will just have to cross the ole middle/pointer fingers and hope for luck!

ypu have to knwo someone with a car trailer that you can borrow. or cont act a local trailer store and see if they will rent you one. I have a roll-back at work that i use when i need to move my car. always the best bet.

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RJG