Trailering a Z question

pgrmstr · 03-22-2010, 09:31 AM

I'm new to the (car) towing game, but I will be towing my Z to events this year on an open trailer. Was curious if anyone has towed their Z and if so, how did you secure the car to the trailer? I been trying to read general info on securing a car, but can't seem to come to a consensus regarding how to secure it. Axle straps...T hooks.....tire straps....let the suspension on the car work, or ratchet down from a frame location to lock it on. The more I've read, the more confused I've gotten. I don't want to use an axle strap and then use it on the wrong part and bend something or break an aluminum piece, etc...

Any useful feedback would be greatly appreciated

Mike · 03-22-2010, 10:19 AM

I am using the shipping tie down points on the car. There are two attachment points on the front half of the car that you can put a tow hook through and secure the front. For the rears, I use the little slotted holes by the rear jacking points and special hooks that I got from northern tool that fit in and rotate, and have an eye on them to attach the hook on my strap.

I can only find this picture

but it is the hook on the bottom that fits up into that slot.

mspeasl · 03-22-2010, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgrmstr

I'm new to the (car) towing game, but I will be towing my Z to events this year on an open trailer. Was curious if anyone has towed their Z and if so, how did you secure the car to the trailer? I been trying to read general info on securing a car, but can't seem to come to a consensus regarding how to secure it. Axle straps...T hooks.....tire straps....let the suspension on the car work, or ratchet down from a frame location to lock it on. The more I've read, the more confused I've gotten. I don't want to use an axle strap and then use it on the wrong part and bend something or break an aluminum piece, etc...

Any useful feedback would be greatly appreciated

I am not an expert at towing, but I have been doing it for almost 50 years and who knows how many miles. I have towed Drag cars, standard passenger cars and several other types of vehicles. In the early days we used chains and come-a-longs to tie the vehicles down to the trailers. In those days we attached the chains to the frames and tried to tie them down tight so the car didn't move. Today (and for the past 20+ years or so) we have been using tire straps and letting the suspension work while towing. I know that the factory haulers still tie the cars down by the frames and use chains. But they are hauling more than one car. I have found that the wheel straps work the best for me on a single car application.

.

pgrmstr · 03-23-2010, 02:25 PM

Thanks guys....I picked up a nice of straps from Mac's Custom Tie Downs, with axle straps and some T-hooks thanks to Mike's feedback on having the slots, so between the stock hooks, axle straps and the t hooks, I should be able to find some good points to lock it down nice....now I need to actually put it on teh trailer and start to find a "system". First event of the season is Sunday, so LOTS of last minute prep to do!

AutoX Z · 03-23-2010, 05:34 PM

Now someone just needs to make a hitch for the 370 so those of use who don't feel like buying tow rigs don't have to have their co-drivers follow them to all their events....

Mike · 03-23-2010, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoX Z

Now someone just needs to make a hitch for the 370 so those of use who don't feel like buying tow rigs don't have to have their co-drivers follow them to all their events....

My friend had one made locally. They adapted a 350z hitch and modified it to fit in the fog light hole in the back. PM me if you want his contact info, I think he was going to have a second one made for the hitch company, or he could at least point you in the right direction.

AutoX Z · 03-23-2010, 05:53 PM

yea let me know, that would be awesome.

Mike · 03-23-2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoX Z

yea let me know, that would be awesome.

sent you a pm

cotizi · 04-03-2010, 09:38 AM

hitch and trailer seems like a great idea. My closest event is 1 hour away, and the one i go to now is 2.

03-22-2010, 09:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
pgrmstr Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: PA Posts: 131 Drives: 09 BS 370z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 16	Trailering a Z question I'm new to the (car) towing game, but I will be towing my Z to events this year on an open trailer. Was curious if anyone has towed their Z and if so, how did you secure the car to the trailer? I been trying to read general info on securing a car, but can't seem to come to a consensus regarding how to secure it. Axle straps...T hooks.....tire straps....let the suspension on the car work, or ratchet down from a frame location to lock it on. The more I've read, the more confused I've gotten. I don't want to use an axle strap and then use it on the wrong part and bend something or break an aluminum piece, etc... Any useful feedback would be greatly appreciated

03-22-2010, 10:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2185	I am using the shipping tie down points on the car. There are two attachment points on the front half of the car that you can put a tow hook through and secure the front. For the rears, I use the little slotted holes by the rear jacking points and special hooks that I got from northern tool that fit in and rotate, and have an eye on them to attach the hook on my strap. I can only find this picture but it is the hook on the bottom that fits up into that slot. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968 Last edited by Mike; 03-22-2010 at 10:21 AM.

03-23-2010, 05:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
AutoX Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 314 Drives: 370Z Base, Sport Rep Power: 15	Now someone just needs to make a hitch for the 370 so those of use who don't feel like buying tow rigs don't have to have their co-drivers follow them to all their events.... __________________ 2013 SCCA Solo National Champion VVV For Sale VVV

03-23-2010, 05:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
AutoX Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 314 Drives: 370Z Base, Sport Rep Power: 15	yea let me know, that would be awesome. __________________ 2013 SCCA Solo National Champion VVV For Sale VVV

04-03-2010, 09:38 AM	#9 (permalink)
cotizi Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 391 Drives: 2012 VW GTI 6MT Rep Power: 217	hitch and trailer seems like a great idea. My closest event is 1 hour away, and the one i go to now is 2. __________________ Past - 2009 Silver 6MT Sport 370Z Current - 2012 VW GTI 6-Speed

03-23-2010, 02:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
pgrmstr Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: PA Posts: 131 Drives: 09 BS 370z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 16	Thanks guys....I picked up a nice of straps from Mac's Custom Tie Downs, with axle straps and some T-hooks thanks to Mike's feedback on having the slots, so between the stock hooks, axle straps and the t hooks, I should be able to find some good points to lock it down nice....now I need to actually put it on teh trailer and start to find a "system". First event of the season is Sunday, so LOTS of last minute prep to do!