Towing with a cover

[Bartruff1]

I am considering towing my car from Reno to Wenatchee. In order to reduce towing weight (I have a Tundra) I am considering a open trailer. Is it even possible to tow with a cloth or other cover without damage to the car ? If you have done this succesfully , what cover did you use ?? Thanks in advance for your help.

[RACER X #99]

You are going to get a lot of No's on this.

[hoppy]

Towed mine from L.A. to Vegas that way and the cover slapped the crap out of the paint. Would have been better off to let the rain (there was plenty) just hit it and clean it up later rather than have to polish out all the new "stripes".
Just going with enclosed trailer these days. Heavier and tougher towing but worth it in the end.

[venum14]

If the car is painted, I would not tow it with a cover on it. At highway speeds the constant whipping of the cover will scratch the paint/clear and it also stresses the car cover. You would be better off shielding the front of the car at the trailer to avoid road debris flying up from the tow vehicle.

I used to tow my boat with a custom fitting cover and it would still leave witness marks on the gel coat finish!

[Tony Radford]

Yep, that's what prompted the invention of the Serpent Express trailer. I did travel back to Atlanta from the SAAC event in Nashville a few years ago with the Tonneau cover installed. Even that flapped enough to damage the paint a little. I think it would have worked if I had taped the area around the studs with some blue painter's tape. It rained like crazy for most of the trip. The interior would have been sloshing had the cover not been installed.

[FST FOX]

agree no cover the clean is nothing compared to the possible damage you will have from any car cover

[fsstnotch]

Definite no. You would regret doing that because it'll beat the car up pretty bad.

I'd recommend a combo of the above mentioned..
A. buy a Serp express or build your own version
B. Tape the path of a toneau and use that along with a road guard on the front of the trailer. Your tow vehicle will kick alot of debris up onto the trailer!

For a trailer, if you only plan to haul your cobra and nothing bigger, I like this
Big Tex Equipment Trailers; Trailers For Less

I've got one like this but a in steel and it's a 20+2 footer. I haul much bigger cars! haha But this front shiled would probably cover the entire cobra, it's about 4' tall


But combine that with a tonneau and I think you get the best of both worlds.

[Silverback51]

Then to make it worse, if you hit rain you will get road grim under the cover and then that acts as rough rubbing compound and scratches the hell out of your paint. Learned that the hard way with snow mobiles.

[Bartruff1]

Originally Posted by RACER X #99

You are going to get a lot of No's on this.

. Thanks for all the advice, and it was good advice...

[Venamm]

Originally Posted by Bartruff1

I am considering towing my car from Reno to Wenatchee. In order to reduce towing weight (I have a Tundra) I am considering a open trailer. Is it even possible to tow with a cloth or other cover without damage to the car ? If you have done this succesfully , what cover did you use ?? Thanks in advance for your help.

I'm still confused why you are concerned with weight, you have a Tundra and that can pull a house.

[Speedysnake]

Check out the Serpent Express trailer. I've been quite pleased with mine, both in protection for the car and ease of towing. I can pull it with my little F-150

[Bartruff1]

Originally Posted by Venamm

I'm still confused why you are concerned with weight, you have a Tundra and that can pull a house.

Yes, it will do it but if the car is 2600 and the trailer is 3400 that is within the limits but still alot to pull up and down the mountains. Love the truck but it is still just a 1/2 ton...

[thudmaster]

Look into a transporter. It will be far cheaper than having the paint repaired.

[cdnus]

I have heard of folks installing a good soft cotton cover then shrink wrapping everything, ( same as a boat for shipping or winter storage).

Craig

[SantaFe66]

I've seen that shrink wrap on boats that are being transported in open trailers. Where do you get that done? A marine store? How is it done? Vacuum?

This is not really boating country where I live (New Mexico) so it might be hard to find someone to do the shrink wrap. I'm planning to move up to Washington State and want to tow my car with an open trailer as well so I'll need to look at all the options just like the poster of this thread.

Paul

[DonC]

Bartruff1:
I tow my ERA (2600 lbs) in a Serpent Express (1800 lbs) with my 04 Ford Ranger. 4L V6 207hp, 2 wheel drive.
I've towed the package about 15000 miles including Oregon to Ohio, Arizona, Nevada and Colorado. I've towed the package over the highest mountains in the country without so much as a hiccup. I've towed the package over the Rocky Mountains, the Siskiyou and the Oregon Blues I've never had to drop below 70 unless there was someone slower in front of me.
Your Tundra should pull your car and a Serpent Express without a problem.
DonC

[sideoiler10]

Heck NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

Don't even think 'bout it!

Hey, I thought the TV commercials for the "Motor Trend Truck of the Year" winning Tundra said it could haul 10000 pounds and stop on a dime to boot.

There is more to towing capacity than just pulling power. Tow vehicle weight is probably more important than anything else. Afterall, do you want to tow or do you want to be pushed? Wait until you get on the Interstate and the semi's start passing you at 80, you'll see what I mean. I used to tow with a full size 1/2 ton but no more. Give me at least a 3/4 tone diesel. It weighs 7,900 pounds, itself. Not quite so easy for the wind to push around.

Good luck, and be careful!

[GlynMeek]

oooh...good idea actually, and one I hadn't though of! I think you could buy the appropriate material and perhaps 'shrink' it with hairdryer!!!

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Glyn

[Slither]

Just don't do it!!!

[Bartruff1]

I'm convinced...going with a enclosed hauler...looking at Pace 18' and Mirage Xcalibur....anyone want to offer any warnings/advice/experience...