Towing a C3

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.

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.

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.

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.