Hauling my car, your suggestion needed....

Loadmaster · #1 (**permalink**) 04-10-2004, 05:00 PM

OK, here goes. I'm in the Air Force and being assigned to Charleston SC. I will be traveling from Altus OK. I have an 18' open car hauler trailer. Can not afford to purchase a closed trailer. I do not have a hard/soft top.

1. Do I haul my Cobra without any protection from the elements?

2. Do I have a tonneau made and trailer the Cobra with it installed?

3. Do I attempt to shrink wrap the car like a boat from the factory?

Kind of running out of options at this point. Any suggestions or lessons learned will be great.

This site rocks........

Excaliber · #2 (**permalink**) 04-10-2004, 05:13 PM

NO soft top or toneau cover as they will flap in the wind and leave marks on the car for sure. Inclement weather? Uh,,,,,,,pull over and wait it out?

Not sure what you had in mind about shrink wrap but consider this:

Anything that can "flop" around in the wind will mark the car in a bad way. Seat belts or loose objects in the cockpit included.

Ernie

Ron61 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-10-2004, 06:09 PM

Ernie is correct about not using a cover or anything that can be moved by the wind. I have seen two paint jobs really messed up by car covers that were pulled down as tight as they could be. Just the slight movement of the covers left the top of the hood and trunk looking as if they had been lightly sanded. One possible option if your trailer permits would be get some aluminum rails and mount them so you could stretch a canvass over them to cover the cat but not have it close enough anywhere to touch the car. We did that once and it worked but was a real pain and I would hire a closed hauler before doing it again.

Ron

white rose · #4 (**permalink**) 04-11-2004, 05:12 AM

I used an open trailer with my car and towed for 1500 miles, just used the tonneau cover and covered the car at night with a car cover, had no problems. The tonneau cover does fit tight.

sllib · #5 (**permalink**) 04-11-2004, 05:20 AM

On the other hand, I hauled my kit up from Alabama to Virginia on an open U-haul trailer, took a hit to the left side pipe (which had been ceramic coated) and now I'm stuck with a quarter-sized dent in the pipe. Whatever hit the pipe went down the side of the car and scratched up the finish, but it had not been painted yet. Food for thought...
Bill Stradtner

sllib · #6 (**permalink**) 04-11-2004, 05:31 AM

PS
Check out www.serpentexpress.com. He's a Unique owner and has a super product that might suit your needs.
Bill Stradtner

bwana50 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-11-2004, 05:36 AM

I built a short (about 18" tall) air dam on the front of my open trailer, to keep rocks kicked up by my tow vehicle from hitting the car. For the rest of it, I figure it's no more exposed to road hazards than if I was driving it, no big deal. Just cover it in the evenings when you stop.

Concur with everyone else on their "don't cover it while underway" advice.

trularin · #8 (**permalink**) 04-11-2004, 07:12 AM

Had to make a trip to Texas. Trailered the car.

I had the car shrink wrapped. It worked well and as it was, it rained for a day as I went through OK. The inside of the car was dry when I got to Texas.

Use the one piece stretch and heat method. If you think about it, that's how they ship boats.

Just my $0.02

valpodoc · #9 (**permalink**) 04-11-2004, 08:16 AM

Just a suggestion but Rich Lacey could transport your car enclosed. No worries and not a lot more than some of the other ideas. Also...check out www.racingjunk.com a friend of mine just got an enclosed trailer (looks great) for ~1500.

Roland

rbray · #10 (**permalink**) 04-11-2004, 08:23 AM

My brother and I will be driving my Cobra from Kentucky to the E-M shop in Florida. A friend will be following us in a truck with a trailor in case of break down or if we run out of gas money

.
I was planning on bringing a car cover, but after reading this thread I have decided against the idea. I will just use the soft top.
Thanks for the advice

xlr8or · #11 (**permalink**) 04-11-2004, 10:00 AM

Use the boat wrap. It shrinks with heat and will get a firm consistancy that doesn't dance in the wind.

The Dreamer · #12 (**permalink**) 04-11-2004, 02:12 PM

Get the shipper from TMO. Call them and discuss shipping your car along with your household goods. They will normally work a good price with you. The question is do you trust them any more than towing in the open trailer. If you take up the entire truck or are the last on and first off, your risk should be minimized.

RPRICE · #13 (**permalink**) 04-11-2004, 07:18 PM

Forget the top or touneau cover as they will mar the paint. Use the boat style shrink wrap.

As for the serpent trailer. Who in there right mind would pay 3500 for this style trailer when enclosed trailers, both new and used are availble for a grand more. If money is that tight, buy a $1200 car hauler and pay the boat guy 200 to wrap your car when needed.
Richard
Memphis

Tony Radford · #14 (**permalink**) 04-12-2004, 04:27 AM

So Richard, does this mean I'm on the "do not call" list? +$1,000 for the hard enclosed trailer is probably right. But don't forget the +$10,000 - $20,000 for the vehicle to tow that trailer. I like my little Dakota, but I know its limitations.

Serpent Guy