<VV> Towing with a Corvair

[shortle]

The 1 thing no one has mentioned on this (long) post Ray is the law. In California (my home for 45 years) and in Colorado (my home for 6 years) any vehicle that touches a road or highway MUST be currently registered and insured. I suspect many if not every other state has the same laws. I can't remember an inexpensive Corvair I have bought that was either. My favorite method to tow is with my dual axle open car trailer that I tow with a 2003 Ford F150 short bed. It has electric trailer brakes that work quite well coming down Wolf Creek Pass (from 11,500 elevation to 7,000 feet in 9 miles) in SW Colorado. This pass has 2 runaway truck ramps. I just prefer to drive slowly down it, regardless of what I am driving. And I don't ride the brakes due to them overheating.
Timothy Shortle in Durango Colorado 81301


-----Original Message-----
>From: Ramon Rodriguez III <corvairgrymm at gmail.com>
>Sent: Nov 10, 2011 8:49 AM
>To: Ken Pepke <kenpepke at juno.com>
>Cc: Vair Views <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
>Subject: Re: <VV> Towing with a Corvair
>
>Glad you mentioned flat towing being better... the rear weight bias of the
>Corvair certainly comes into play when using a dolly.  Can anyone here give
>me info on using a tow bar to tow a Corvair?  My friend used one to tow a
>project car about two miles and it wrinkled the sheet metal a bit around
>where it was bolted on (bumper bolt holes).  I'd love to get a tow bar if I
>can use it without damaging anything... though removing the bumper to tow
>the car is a pain.  Keep in mind I would not be towing the same car over
>and over, but towing newly purchased cars home mostly.
>
>PS-  "pup" trailer normally refers to the 28 foot dry van trailers that are
>commonly used for "doubles" and even "triples" in some places.  There is
>actually a fifth wheel on each dolly, so there is a fifth wheel under every
>trailer.  The dolly is basically a fifth wheel with an axle under it, and a
>pintle hook type hitch to latch it to the rear of the trailer it is
>following.  Also probably the best system for powered trailer brakes for
>use with a car would be electric.  It is very easily installed into the car
>without the possibility of compromising the car's brake system at all.
>
>Slightly off topic, I'm sure most/all here are familiar with proper braking
>technique when driving down a grade..... get on the brakes to slow down,
>get off the brakes and let them cool off... repeat.  I found it interesting
>that when driving a tractor-trailer down a long grade the rule is actually
>to ride the brakes...  it is considered a bigger risk with a truck to run
>out of air pressure from getting on and off them than it is to overheat
>them.  They also tell you to NEVER attempt to use the trailer brake (handle
>on the dash) for anything but pre-trip brake tests....  I used it to save
>my butt a couple of times (ice/snow conditions).
>
>
>Ray "Grymm" Rodriguez III
>Lake Ariel, PA
>
>
>
>On Thu, Nov 10, 2011 at 8:28 AM, Ken Pepke <kenpepke at juno.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> Good points Tony ... and great examples.  Watching the road way far ahead
>> is most important.  It always seems when one is going a little slower than
>> usual [and slightly slower than the surrounding traffic] nothing gets in
>> your way; there will be no hard, last second stops nor sudden moves
>> required.
>>
>> I have also found Corvairs tow best with all wheels on the ground.  I have
>> towed Corvairs on a tow dolly also; the last time from Cleveland Ohio to
>> Warren, MI. with an '89 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham REAR wheel drive.  50
>> MPH max.  The same car later towed with the 'bar' followed the same
>> Cadillac easily at any speed.  The worst towing experience came when I had
>> the 'bar' come loose off a Corvair bumper on one side but, I did not even
>> notice until I saw it at a rest stop!  Apparent failure on my part to
>> tighten the clamps :-(
>>
>> Actually, braking is everything when towing.  When towing anything without
>> brakes extra distance MUST be allowed for stopping.  The old boat trailer
>> has surge brakes on its front axle so any Corvair could quite safely pull
>> it at whatever speed the engine HP will allow.  When the braking is right
>> the size of the tow vehicle is of little importance.  Look at all those
>> tractor trailer combo's on the highway everyday ... When loaded, 85% of
>> their weight can be the trailer!  Yeah, they use a fifth wheel ... but not
>> on the 'pup' trailer.  Trucks use air pressure to operate the brakes but if
>> one was doing a lot of towing it would be possible to hydraulically connect
>> the car brakes to the towed vehicle.  It increases the brake pedal pressure
>> required but it is what I would do if towing in the mountains.
>>
>>
>> Ken P
>>
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