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I picked up a 2020 GTC for some work to be done in Rockport
A 2500 + miles roundtrip. Transport in progress right now.
It will be a while before I can get started on it and it depends on the owners wishes if I will share any findings here.
I need to get it back first (some time tomorrow- I'm still on the road now ) and do my fact finding, discuss them with the owner and see if he wants any info to be published or not.
Ctr caps are there I removed them as the (1) security lug nut tool could not be found when I picked it up,
Well loaded, the center of gravity of the load, near over the trailer axles.
Question to all:
Why have car trailers in the USA the axle(s) so far back? Why not in the middle?
What is the maximum vertical load (on coupling of the towing vehicle)?
Thanks
Best regards
Stenzel
Last edited by Stenzel-Germany; Dec 7, 2021 at 03:45 PM.
"Well loaded, the center of gravity of the load, near over the trailer axles".
I have found this rig to be the absolute best to make these long but quick trips - (with an eye on the right weather conditions)
We'll be back home in Rockport by 13:00 hrs today, with the setup as it is the rig can easily move at "Autobahn" speeds of 130-150KM per hour, inside the cab you don't even feel there's anything behind you, a safe and solid feel with the driver in control at all the time.
Lots of thumbs up from other drivers on the road and rest stops (including curious police officers - that want to see the car) while pulling this one.
Well loaded, the center of gravity of the load, near over the trailer axles.
Question to all:
Why have car trailers in the USA the axle(s) so far back? Why not in the middle?
What is the maximum vertical load (on coupling of the towing vehicle)?
Thanks
Best regards
Stenzel
Axle placement on trailers is calculated for proper tongue weight.
If you placed the trailer axles on the centerline of the deck you could have a situation of not sufficient tongue weight. This is more critical when the trailer is empty.
About 15% of the trailer gross weight should rest on the hitch.
Last edited by canucklehead; Dec 8, 2021 at 10:20 AM.
Axle placement on trailers is calculated for proper tongue weight.
If you placed the trailer axles on the centerline of the deck you could have a situation of not sufficient tongue weight. This is more critical when the trailer is empty.
About 15% of the trailer gross weight should rest on the hitch.
Hi,
Thanks.
Here the axes are always in the middle.
The permitted load on the hitch is 110lbs or 165lbs, depending on the vehicle.
Vans up to 330lbs. Regardless of the trailer total weight. (up to 7700lbs)
Maximum permitted speed with trailer 50 or 62mls/h. (Germany)
Drive often with a trailer. Always try to exceed 110lbs. Its a safe way to drive.
Here the axes are always in the middle.
The permitted load on the hitch is 110lbs or 165lbs, depending on the vehicle.
Vans up to 330lbs. Regardless of the trailer total weight. (up to 7700lbs)
Maximum permitted speed with trailer 50 or 62mls/h. (Germany)
Drive often with a trailer. Always try to exceed 110lbs. Its a safe way to drive.
Best regards
Stenzel
German Car Trailer (High deck)
Yeah, that is a baby trailer. LOL.
I would not want to tow anything with that light of tongue weight. Especially through hills or mountains. 400-500 lbs on the tongue.
I have towed with 1/2 tons trucks which I don't like to do when over 3000lbs + trailer weight; despite the ridiculous tow ratings of new vehicles.
I prefer my 3/4 ton Duramax. Even towing 9000lbs through the mountains I have to sometime look back to see if my trailer is still there.
120km/h no problem.
Last edited by canucklehead; Dec 8, 2021 at 01:59 PM.
2025 Lucid Air Grand Touring, 2022 F-150, 1926 Rolls-Royce SSG roadster
When I was involved in equestrian sports I would haul my horses in a 20 or 24 foot trailer with a gooseneck into the hitch ball in the bed. The trucks were 4x4 dually diesels. If I was hauling anything these days I'd want that set up as it is the most stable and controllable.
In England, with its narrow roads, goosenecks were very rare, but here in the U.S. with our wide roads and long drives I don't know why people use "bumper pulls."
As I have found that most people are not aware that our cars can not be rolled/pushed around at all if the engine can not be started, hereby some picture of how I have modified the rear (R) PS of my trailer in order to place a wheel idler when needed. By placing an idler on one of the rear wheels either side L or R the car can now be moved. I have elected to do this on the R side.
Best H L & R comparison R modification area Before the idler gets placed on the hub Idler ready to go on Idler on hub Wheel sticking out with idler in place ready to remove tail light and place ramps Mission accomplished
I'd like to put something like this together for the Corvette C8 BC there are already a number of horror stories about stalls on roads where the trans is locked and the car cannot start. Tow truck services are usually not equipped with dollies, etc. But if owners carry one of these...
Hereby a picture with information on the idler, with this idler on you can roll/push the car over bumps etc
Hi Hendrik,
I am looking more and more at this for the C8 world. It looks simple enough to fabricate.
Two pieces turned on a lathe (looks like low carbon steel, but could it be aluminum) with a threaded axle and a single (probably tapered) bearing? Then just drill/thread the two sets of holes with an indexing plate (@ 72*).
Does that sound about right?
Thanks for your help,
All the Best!
I've taken the simplest approach first, but anything I might be missing?
I am looking more and more at this for the C8 world. It looks simple enough to fabricate.
Hi,
That was my thought too. Especially since you need 2. For me, the trolley solution is the simpler one.
But if I would build myself, would follow the following path first. A idea.
Take original front wheel bearings with an adapter. Here one could perhaps rework simple spacer plates. Might work.
The front GT wheel bearings have the following part numbers:
A222 334 00 00
But are quite expensive. Costs around 330 USD each. Couldn't find any in the aftermarket in a hurry. Well, you would have suitable spare parts at the same time if required. :-)
An almost identical alternative would be the front wheel bearings of the 205 C class. The wheel mount is identical. The rear attachment has to be adapted anyway. The part number:
A205 334 02 00
The MB price is also around 240.- USD. But these are in the aftermarket (often the same manufacturers that supply MB) from 65.- USD.
Here is a picture of the 205 front wheel bearings (GT look the same).
Don't have the wheel bearing in front of me. But don't think it will be wider than the adapter above.
130.- USD, a set of cheap MB spacerplates, a lathe and a little luck. Maybe its work. :-)
The C8 is experiencing moderate DCT failures as well as other electronics issues that can debilitate the car at the most inconvenient times such as at a stoplight. There have been stories already about owners stuck in intersections or on the roadway, when the engine shuts down and cannot do a restart, the trans becomes locked in park with no way to release. Tow trucks arrive without dollies and the car has to be dragged onto the tow truck.
I thought if an owner carries one of these they might have an alternative to dragging the car stuck in park.
You might still be driving or unavailable. I am anxious to hear what is ailing this GT, but also a couple of questions:
Did this car suffer a complete failure, unable to start?
Did you have battery power when you picked up the car?
If so, were electronics responding, such as, could you turn on accessories, or put the car electronically in start mode?
If no on the above, was the car stuck with the parking brake on and, if so, how did you release it so the freewheel could work to roll the vehicle?
Thanks Hendrik, hope all is well and you are safe, or made it back safely.
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