Trailering question?

01yellercobra

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so would the best option for a low-slung car like a cobra be a tilting trailer? i have seen some that are "manually" operated (no expensive hydraulics) but also have a winch provision on the tilting deck. seems like that way you'd really be able to get a good angle for the winch cable to the k-member.

good info in this thread - i am a neophyte on the subject but someday would like to be able to trailer my cobra
I have tilt trailer and prefer it over the dove tail trailer I used in the past. I don't need ramps or to raise the back of the truck for clearance. My car is pretty low and clears fine. My eventual plan is to put a winch in the tool box in front with a pulley on the end of the ramp to guide the cable.
 

black 10th vert

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I have the lift bars on my 20ft enclosed, use them when moving heavy items. 68' Buick Skylark, 4500# or so. 76' BMW 2002 no lift bars on the front. Tow is a 2001 2500hd Chevy with the 8.1 vortec. Or a 89' quad cab 3500 with a 20 foot dove tail attached to the extended frame. Essentially a car hauler. Damn thing is 31 feet total. I still feel a little push when loaded down on the 2500hd. Just throwing that out there. To much weight on rear you get a pendulum going on. Weight farther back moves the pendulum farther away from the hitch, which controls the trailer. Don't want to see a wrecked cobra post!
Thank you for your examples, and insight! It’s much appreciated!
 

black 10th vert

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I've always had my eye on that ZL1 tow hook. Never bought one for the reason previously mentioned, no instructions to look at on the website. black 10th vert, if you go that route will you pleas snap some photos of the install and report back? Curious to see how it would turn out.
Will do! I will make a thread about it, if/when I purchase one.
 

black 10th vert

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Just an FYI but if you do put a tow hook on the front somewhere and it’s offset, I would suggest offsetting the winch as well when you mount it. The closer the car gets to the winch the more of an angle it will be pulling at if the winch is centered and hook offset.
Offset them both to the same side and the winch will pull straight the whole time and will not be trying to pull the tow hook to the center of the trailer.

Ken
It’s funny, but over the past few days since that tow hook was suggested, I’ve been thinking that very thing about offsetting the winch. Since the tow hooks for the Miata are also offset, I’ll likely mount the Cobra one to match the Miata, and the winch on that same side for the reasons you mention. Thanks for the input.
 

black 10th vert

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I have tilt trailer and prefer it over the dove tail trailer I used in the past. I don't need ramps or to raise the back of the truck for clearance. My car is pretty low and clears fine. My eventual plan is to put a winch in the tool box in front with a pulley on the end of the ramp to guide the cable.
Yeah, that would have been my preference, but it took me forever to find a trailer this nice in aluminum that I could actually afford (and convince my wife that it was a good investment), so I have to try to make this work.
 

black 10th vert

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so would the best option for a low-slung car like a cobra be a tilting trailer? i have seen some that are "manually" operated (no expensive hydraulics) but also have a winch provision on the tilting deck. seems like that way you'd really be able to get a good angle for the winch cable to the k-member.

good info in this thread - i am a neophyte on the subject but someday would like to be able to trailer my cobra
Yes, I believe it would’ve been, but for the reasons I mentioned, I have to work with this one. I also plan to add stake body pockets to it so I can have sides on the trailer for more utility than just hauling cars.
 

01yellercobra

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Yeah, that would have been my preference, but it took me forever to find a trailer this nice in aluminum that I could actually afford (and convince my wife that it was a good investment), so I have to try to make this work.
I wasn't trying to put your trailer down at all. Just giving my preference. My trailer is steel, but with the F250 I'm not overly worried about the weight. And I got a screaming deal on it.
 

black 10th vert

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I wasn't trying to put your trailer down at all. Just giving my preference. My trailer is steel, but with the F250 I'm not overly worried about the weight. And I got a screaming deal on it.
Oh, I wasn’t taking it that way at all. ;) Being that I love my 4Runner and wasn’t in the market for another truck, I KNEW that going all aluminum would keep me well in the sweet spot of my towing capacity. I wasn’t concerned about power, as my 4Runner has plenty of torque, and is mildly modded, but I was concerned about having something behind me that was heavier than my tow vehicle for safety reasons. Even with my current setup, I could never do it without having 4 wheel brakes and a brake controller for the trailer. Even then, I still have to be pretty vigilant.
 

black 10th vert

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Now, I need to relearn how to post pics on here. I’ve been away from this site for a couple of years, and not only has the software changed, but photobucket (who I used to use for posting pics) pulled their crap and I can’t even access my account there anymore. Is there a tutorial somewhere on here for posting photos? Do you still need a hosting service like before, or is it simpler with the new forum software?
 

4sdvenom

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I haven’t done it yet but I’m pretty sure if you download and use the SVTP app you can load pictures directly from your phone I believe.
 

03' White Snake

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Now, I need to relearn how to post pics on here. I’ve been away from this site for a couple of years, and not only has the software changed, but photobucket (who I used to use for posting pics) pulled their crap and I can’t even access my account there anymore. Is there a tutorial somewhere on here for posting photos? Do you still need a hosting service like before, or is it simpler with the new forum software?

On a phone, below where you type, you will see 3 boxes, click "upload a file" browse to folder location. Select and upload. I select the option of post full size image or whatever it is vs a thumbnail. It is very simple.
 

black 10th vert

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On a phone, below where you type, you will see 3 boxes, click "upload a file" browse to folder location. Select and upload. I select the option of post full size image or whatever it is vs a thumbnail. It is very simple.
Thanks so much! That’s WAY simpler than the way it used to be with photobucket.
 

black 10th vert

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This is my trailer. I figured I’d post a pic so you guys can see what I’ve been talking about. Very lucky to have that shield in the front to protect the cars.:)
01A43553-90B0-450B-B968-ACAA65A7E187.jpeg
 

black 10th vert

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Nice trailer! Like seeing the E track, so you can use over the tire tie downs.
Thanks. Yeah, I was psyched it came with them AND wheel straps. I do have to relocate the e-tracks though because the track width of the car it was setup for was quite a bit narrower. I’m going to try to plan them so they work for both the Terminator and my Miata.
 

03cobra_keek

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Silly idea but couldnt you make a bar out of 2 inch square tubing with a loop in the center for the winch and a loop on each end and attach tow hooks threw the opening in the bumper beside the fog lights. I'll go look at mine but I'm pretty sure theres a clear path to the control arm
 

black 10th vert

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Silly idea but couldnt you make a bar out of 2 inch square tubing with a loop in the center for the winch and a loop on each end and attach tow hooks threw the opening in the bumper beside the fog lights. I'll go look at mine but I'm pretty sure theres a clear path to the control arm
Interesting though! In my case that wouldn’t work well though since I have ducting to each of those openings. One feeds air toward my air filter, sort of like ram air, and the other directs air toward my alternator to help keep it from cooking as happens because of the location. That’s some good outside the box thinking though.
 

black 10th vert

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Have you even tried to pull the car up on the trailer yet?
No, unfortunately my car is stored currently with a bunch of construction stuff in front of it so I can’t even pull it out to try it until I get that cleared up. I’ve had the trailer since last fall, but have been using it for other purposes. I’ve been trying to get my ducks in a row though as I have plans to move the car toward the end of August, if the pandemic doesn’t interfere with plans AGAIN! My wife wants me to drive the car down, but honestly, an 1,100 mile road trip would beat up on the car too much, which is why I’m trying to set up to trailer it.
 

oldstv

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I understand completely. You may find that you need additional ramps to avoid scrubbing, might not but don't be surprised. I have a Featherlite and need those ramps that I showed you but maybe you will get lucky. You want know what you are going to need till you try it.
 

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