Towing your Cobra....cover or no cover?

[TerrysSPF]

I have heard that you shouldn't use a cover on your car while it's being towed on a trailer, mostly because of the cover rubbing on the paint. Does anyone know if someone makes a cover "kit" for Cobra's made out of some type of plastic / 3M type material.....similar to what car companies use on new vehicles when they are being shipped? You know......something that can be applied to the car and then peeled off when you get to your destination.
A friend of mine talked me into attending a car show he puts on down in Florida, and I plan on towing the car on a flat bed (that I have access to at no charge). I hate to rent an enclosed trailor (unless I have to), and I've checked into Auto Transport companies and they want about a $1000 bucks (on average) to take it down there, and the same to bring it back! I don't want to go to the show THAT bad!
Anyone have any suggestions?

[RaceDeck]

do not open air tow your cobra with a cover on it...unless you want to strip the paint....It will tatter you cobra....

[maxrpm]

Do NOT put a cover on a car being towed on an open trailer! I've heard of people using boat shrink wrap on cars being towed long distances on an open trailer. I don't really know much about it, has anyone else heard of this?

[mrmustang]

Terry,

Put your convertible top and side curtains on, and tow your car like this if your using an open trailer. Do not, I repeat DO NOT tow your car with a car cover in place if your using an open trailer. Not even for a short distance.


Sincerely,

Bill S.

[Dan Semko]

Terry,
Check with your boating retailers/wholesalers in West Pam or Miami. They'll give you a good lead on the shrink wrapping.

[bnewell]

Hey Bud ~ get off some of that cash of yours and rent the enclosed trailer.........it'll be cheaper than a new paint job not to mention peace of mind

Brian

p.s. whatever you decide, have a safe trip!!

[Tony Radford]

Terry, heed everyone's advise. I towed mine up to SAAC and back this past summer on an open trailer with the Tonneau cover installed (it poured rain most of the way home). Even with the cockpit cover stretched tighter than a drum head, a small amount of buffeting between snap posts rubbed grooves in my clear coat. Go either open and exposed to the world, or get an enclosed trailer. I will soon be introducing an extremely low cost rain-tight trailer specifically designed for a Cobra. It will be light enough to be towed behind any vehicle that can tow an open trailer. Until then, be careful as to how you get her down there.

[clayfoushee]

No kidding.....and, a nice used enclosed trailer is cheaper than a paint job. However, the right tow vehicle is a much larger expense. Light trucks and SUVs will struggle with most loaded, enclosed trailers on the market.

I've been discussing Tony's lightweight, enclosed, trailer concept with him, and it certainly sounds promising.

[jamvan]

Tony:

Would love to hear more about your concept when you can. Sounds like what most of us are looking for.

jim

[Unique580hp]

Yes!!! Please send me info on your trailer asap too. When do you think is the soonest that you will be able to actually sell them?

[Venom 427]

Terry,

I towed a cobra from Florida to Carlisle 2 years ago. I had the same concerns. So I started with a quality soft weatherproof cover and tied it down to the car. After about 2 hours we stopped and noticed that from the windshield back the cover was torn to shreds. We bought another same cover and a number of rolls of duct tape and duct taped over the cover the whole car so there was no loose material. Ran the duct tape right over and under the whole car so it was tight enough that the cover could not move. Looked crude and like a huge gift wrapped cobra but there was no damage to the paintwork and it even kept the weather out. We also taped some heavy duty bubble wrap to the frontend and windshield to prevent from any stones or such kicked up, just make sure it is over the cover and not on the paintwork. Also removed the sunvisors and windwings. If you remove the duct tape carefully you will save the cover. It does not stick well to the cover but sticks well to itself. Finally all that was needed was to clean the residue of the tape left on the frame. The cover was only about $60 from Costco.

[mrmustang]

Jim,

I've used the Trailex Trailers in the past, I highly recommend them.

Bill S.

PS: Did I mention my old 914, or the fact I am still a PCA member

Originally posted by jamvan


Tony:

Would love to hear more about your concept when you can. Sounds like what most of us are looking for.

jim

[Double Venom]

Shrink wrap:
Mostly used today by Marinas- during the winter months. They even install zippered doors, vents, and windows inplace. This would be a great way to haul a cobra. I would think that it would be less than $150.00 to cover, but you will have to find someone that is familiar with it and how it works. (Heat shrunk using a large type hair dryer, or a closed flame propane type heater.)

On a Cobra install time about 45 minutes, removal less than 10.
Some really great stuff! Remember one thing, it will have to be done on the trailer!

DV... no bugs, rain, snow, dirt, etc. shall enter a well done "shrink wrap" job!

[Dan Semko]

DV,
That ALSO explains only the TWO children!

[badrich]

Tony: Please put me on your list of potential customers for a small, lightweight, well-built trailer. My current daily driver is Brand X (no snow, no tow) but I will eventually purchase a small Hybrid SUV that will hopefully have enough beans to tow my Cobra. [Perhaps the Ford model they've been teasing us with.] Let me know when you get your spec sheet together. Rich

[clayfoushee]

DV,

Having used shrink wrap for boat storage, it is good stuff, and around here, you see new boats being delivered all the time behind big rigs all wrapped up. If you're just moving a car from A to B permanently, it's a great idea. But, if you're going to a show or DVSF, etc., it could get a little expensive.

Look forward to meeting you in June for my first with my new CACC colleagues.

[Tony Radford]

I'm glad you guys are interested. It's taking me a bit longer than I would like, but I'm approaching this with mass production in mind from the beginning. I also want the prototype to be as "dead on" as possible the first go round. A friend of mine is building my website, logos and so forth. I have my corporate name reserved and will have the license soon. As soon as I have the prototype finished, I will post some assembly pics. I've already warned Brent that I'll be coming for my Clubcobra banner.

[jgrice]

Definitely no covers.

Shrink wrap is a good idea...however understand they use tourches on the plastic to cause it to shrink.

I would say gel coat on a boat is more tolerant to the heat than car paint - please be careful.

Jeff

[Double Venom]

Jef,
NOT THAT KIND OF TORCH! Heat yes, but NOT torches!

Dano.....heeeheeeheeee
DV Hee-Hee-Hee, still giggeling

[foothills gary]

I also have towed my car on an open trailer with a car cover.I got a cheapie from a discount house(could have been Costco)and grommeted the lower edge all around about ever 4 inches or so.I tied it tight to the underside with bungie cords so it fit the car like a second skin(top was up).There was no buffeting of the cover at 65 mph,and zero damage when I got to the show and back home.All I can say is that it worked for me,and if I had the cash I would have rented an enclosed trailer.I was way overextended financially on the build at that time and probably wouldn't do it again.

Gary