Moving to CA from NJ and have a trailoring question....

Theeonlybatman · Oct 18, 2012

We are moving from NJ to CA and i will be placing the RT10 on a trailer to tow behind the moving truck (as much as id love to drive her across, just not logistically possible).

My concerns are:
With the car cover strapped over the top, will the flapping around from the wind cause paint damage (scratches)
Has anyone had any issues fitting it on a trailer?
Should it be rear or forward facing?
Is it worth trying to find an enclosed trailer to put her in and what issue are there with that?

Any help by anyone who has made this type of move, would be greatly appreciated.

Matt M PA · Oct 18, 2012

When trailering...no cover. The wind will cause the cover to beat the snot out of the paint. Facing forward. Fitment to rental trailers is difficult as the Viper is low and wide...may fit on some.

Open trailers are really only slightly better than driving the car. The car is still open to the elements, etc.

I've used an open trailer since 1995, and would suggest you do the same if possible.

Or, consider having the car moved for you. Horseless Carriage, etc aren't cheap but the car is under cover, insured, etc....

Roysviper · Oct 18, 2012

DO NOT TOW IT IN AN OPEN TRAILER WITH A CAR COVER ON IT.......Been there and the wind caused the cover to be the crap out of the paint.........drive on the trailer forward.....yes...you will need two boards about 2x12x10....enclosed will be harder to tie down and you will have to climb out of the drivers side window unless you have a door on that side......make sure the car is centered over the trailer axles and your tow vehicle has electric brake box as well as the trailer having electric brakes.......be careful and don't drive too fast....just do the speed limit and you should check the trailer tires good for wear and air properly in each.....have a safe trip.....what a culture shock...moving from Calif to Jersey.......
:2tu:

Theeonlybatman said:
We are moving from NJ to CA and i will be placing the RT10 on a trailer to tow behind the moving truck (as much as id love to drive her across, just not logistically possible).

My concerns are:
With the car cover strapped over the top, will the flapping around from the wind cause paint damage (scratches)
Has anyone had any issues fitting it on a trailer?
Should it be rear or forward facing?
Is it worth trying to find an enclosed trailer to put her in and what issue are there with that?

Any help by anyone who has made this type of move, would be greatly appreciated.

Solid Red 98 · Oct 18, 2012

All great advice. One more thing: Since it takes a few days, do cover the car while parked overnight to limit dew exposure and tampering in those hotel lots. Avoid traveling during rainy conditions, as all that oily grungy road spray will get into everything. Safe travels, and welcome to California--the all season Viper playground! PS, Norcal or Soucal?

Leojmcca · Oct 18, 2012

By the time you figure in the cost of gas, trailer rental, time lost from towing etc. It sounds like paying to transport the car would be the smarter move.

You can place a ad to get bids on here: Uship.com or shop around for the lowest price from the normal carriers.

Theeonlybatman · Oct 18, 2012

Thanks for the thoughts, but it is being towed behind my moving truck so the gas and time lost is there regardless. Trailer rentals are minimal.

Solid red, moving to SoCal, San Diego Area. She will enjoy that climate much better then the NJ one, although i will miss the fall Drives.

Uncovered, front facing, and covered at night seems to be the plan.

Timnineside · Oct 18, 2012

Depending on trailer it may be a good idea to tape the front of the car. Painters tape, or 3M clear bra might be worth the money. You never know where you may end up driving and may hit debris, or gravel.

Good luck. I pulled a RT from UT to MI. Open trailer facing front etc. No issues but if I had to do it again I would just ship the damn thing. As you said your making the drive either way.

-Tim

Tagoo · Oct 18, 2012

Do a search as you will find a lot of discussion on this topic and even some pictures. You don't say what kind of trailer you are thinking of using. If it is a rental (e.g. U-Haul) searching this topic is even more important. Very few rental trailers will work with a viper. Even those that will work need to be loaded carefully and have clearance issues. I have towed my viper twice, for a total of 3000 miles on a u-haul. I found it easiest to back the car on to the trailer because of clearance issues at the front of the trailer. Another person posted that he unbolted the part of the u-haul trailer causing the clearance problem and was able to put his viper on the trailer facing forward. Again, if you are not using a rental trailer, ignore this.

Don't put a car cover on at night. Dew is going to be the least of your problems on a 4 day cross country trip. Your car will get dirty pulling it that far. You will likely encounter rain. At a minumum, your car will get dusty. Putting a car cover on a dirty car will scratch your paint.

redtanrt10 · Oct 18, 2012

You've gotten good answers to your questions already. Don't worry about dirt but think of ways to avoid rock dings. Hopefully the truck will have good rear mud flaps, if not consider the painters tape route. I've seen u-haul trailer occasionally at the track, a helper and a number of boards is the trick. If you need help unloading in SD, post a note on the SoCal website, there are a number of folks down there to help you. Good luck! Mike

Derek Short · Oct 18, 2012

Welcome to SD! You will love it here.
Lance is the so-cal viper club prez. And does an awesome job putting on events and get togethers. Be sure to look us up once u get set up.

As for bringing ur car across the US. I'd highly suggest an enclosed trailer. Or have a company ship it enclosed for you.
Just my 2 cents.

CA97GTS · Oct 18, 2012

Jegs sells this spray on stuff that is supposed to protect the car at the track or cross country....
Never tried it, check it out and see how it works. Just peel off after and you have a clean car- supposedly....

v10viperbox · Oct 18, 2012

Where in SD are you moving, there are a bunch of us out here.

Also I have used blue painters tape to protect the front of my car when I am at the track I see no reason why it would not work on the back of a trailer. just get it off when you get into town, you don;t want to leave it on for a long period of time, (like a week) or it will get super sticky.

Green Viper · Oct 18, 2012

I agree with what others posted but will add a couple of items from my experience towing an RT/10 on an open trailer.
1) You should put a shade in the windshield, when driving for hours during the day, without any airlfow in the car like you would have driving, the dash and steering wheel will get very hot unless covered.
2) If there is even a chance of rain, you may want to throw a couple of towels on the floor boards just in case it leaks. A friend shipped his on an open trailer and the passenger side foot well carpets were wet when it arrived, not sure how as the car doesn't normally leak but in this case it is worth a little extra up front.
3) Double check that you have a spare key with you on the trip. RT/10s have a tendency to dare you to lock the keys in the trunk.
4) Some open trailers have a space up front for tires or storage, if the one you use does, make sure the load is secure and if it is up to the top of the grill, most road debris should miss your car but rain and dust will still get it, so be prepared to wash it before hands touch it and hands of on-lookers help rub it into the surface.
5) Plan ahead as much as possible, the mountain passes can have snow anytime now so a route to the south may be longer but less risky this time of year.
You will get tons of thumbs up and compliments towing a Viper on an open trailer!

Good luck!

Paul Hawker · Oct 18, 2012

Hope your journey out here to the West Coast goes well.

The SoCal club has noticed that there are a bunch of new owners popping up in San Diego.

There will be a welcoming gathering at the local Cars and Coffee in Carlsbad on Oct 27th.at 7:00 am - 9:00 am at Ruby's diner.

This is an event open to all types on enthusiast cars. Just a casual get together, and ending up with a Viper group breakfast in the diner.

Hope you can make it. Carlsbad is just off the Pacific ocean on Palomar Airport road. Next to the huge windmill and the flower fields in Northern Coasta San Diego.

Hope to meet you there.

There are several well respected Viper Techs to take care of your car, in Temecula area, and Dan Cragin has opened a new facility in Alhambra.

San Diego is a very Viper friendly town, with great weather and fantastic driving roads.

Paul

Paul Hawker · Oct 18, 2012

As a side note, many trailers do not allow you to open your doors, as they will hit the trailer wheel covers. You need to climb out of your RT 10 first, then install the hard or soft top.

If the ramp for the trailer is too steep, and you will rub, find a driveway, or incline that you can back the trailer into. This will reduce the angle for loading, and no more rubbing.

There are special tie downs that the racers use to hook to your frame with no damage. If you cannot do this then tie down the Viper as best you can, being sure not to hook to anything that will bend. Check your load occasionally as you drive across the country, and keep every hitched down tight.

Give your Viper a fresh coat of wax before the journey, and guard as much as possibe from stones being thrown up by your tow vehicle.

AZTVR · Oct 18, 2012

I have seen someone use 3 layers of clear shelf paper. Probably pretty cheap and easier to put on and get a thick layer.

On the U-haul, I remember a thread saying that one specific version of trailer they offer is the one to get.

Theeonlybatman · Oct 28, 2012

Thank you all for your assistance on insight on this subject.
I will take all necessary steps and precautions when doing this.

Will keep everyone posted once i get there.

Camfab · Oct 28, 2012

Ok since no one else mentioned it.........................this is a must have to protect your car. It's cheap and is designed exactly for your application. I'd buy enough that you can peel it off and re apply it if it gets rained on and holds water against the car for any extended period. Make sure you cover the windshield as well, towing behind a uhaul type truck is like tailgating a semi for days. Great way to sandblast the front of your car, esp with a little rain and sand and mud.

http://www.calcarcover.com/product.aspx?id=2614

Venomiss · Oct 30, 2012

When you do move and would like to change VCA regions please write to [email protected] with your request.

The VCA Membership Portal is the place where you are able to renew VCA membership, and update your address and phone number anytime.
https://www.viperclub.org/membership/

NVMYVPR · Oct 31, 2012

The advice so far sound solid. I made a big move in may from Montana to Miami and towed my car behind a rental truck the whole way. Front end clearance will be an issue when loading and securing as well as rubbing the underside at the apex of the trailer/ramps. Somebody mentioned boards, they work perfect to not only get you on the trailer without rubbing but I also used them under my tires up front to clear the lip and then left them there for the trip. Another option is to remove two pieces from your rental trailer upfront. If you do a search somebody on here even posted some pics when I asked these questions in April and May. I did carry a cover to put on the car at night but otherwise it was naked for the drive. I did see where somebody else actually wrapped their front end with basic kitchen plastic wrap and used painters tape to secure it so it would not flap. Althought I was lucky and did not get any rock damage it could be cheap insurance against chips. Hope all goes well with your move.

Craig,

Moving to CA from NJ and have a trailoring question....

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