Trailering Model A
 

I asked a question about tires and got some comments about trailering, but I thought I would ask about that in a new thread.

We have inherited a 31 Tudor Coupe which has been in a garage for the last 25 years. The car is in South Daytona, Florida and I need to get it to Austin, Texas.

I was planning to rent an enclosed trailer for fear of the wind force of hauling the car at 70+mph halfway across the country. My other concern is tampering/vandalism when I stop for the night.

Should I be worried about the wind force or would an open-air flat bed trailer be okay?

Re: Trailering Model A
 

There are a couple places in Michigan
that you can rent an enclosed car hauler
trailer at by the day or week.

It is not one way - you have to return
it to where you rented it from.

I am not aware of any places renting
enclosed car hauler trailers in Texas
or in Florida.

If you care about any vehicle you
are transporting - it should travel
In an enclosed trailer.


Jim

Re: Trailering Model A
 

If the car is in nice shape, I'd use an enclosed trailer for that distance. If you don't have the option of a reasonably priced rental, buy a trailer, use it, then sell again. If you are careful you can even make some jing on the deal. Check the tires, brakes, and bearings.

Re: Trailering Model A
 

and what is wrong with 60 mph?

whats the hurry?

Re: Trailering Model A
 

Many trailer specific tires are only rated for 55 mph. And regardless of the rating 70 MPH is frik'n crazy. IMO

Re: Trailering Model A
 

I trailered a 30 Coupe from Tampa to Gatesville, Tx on a rented U-Haul car hauler that only cost me 150 dollars for a one-way trip. Didn't have any problems along the way.

Re: Trailering Model A
 

Put it on a flatbed and don't worry about it.

Re: Trailering Model A
 

Check your local A Club someone may have a closed trailer they will loan/rent you. If you borrow one check the brakes, bearings and tire dates before setting out. If the tires are older than 6 years buy the guy a new set for loaning you his trailer.
If you haul it open and expect to exceed 60 mph I'd cover at least the roof and wrap ducttape around it just below the visor and again just above the cowl. High speed air getting under the top material could cause real problems.
Here is a 28 Tudor that the top was pulled up at the front - a 75 mph trip on a flatbed tow truck was the suspect.

Trailering Model A
 

Your personal automobile insurance
will not cover liability/comprehensive insurance
on a trailer that is titled/registered to
someone else that is not a member
of your immediate household.

Neither will the
personal automobile insurance
of the person who is letting you use it.

If you are stopped towing a trailer
that is not registered/titled to you
the trailer may be impounded on
the suspicion of theft.

There is no substitute for enclosed
transport of a vehicle.


Jim

Re: Trailering Model A
 

Pretty broad statement there for not knowing about mine or anybody else's insurance policy
Put it in my truck, hook it to the truck, and its all covered, and yes Im sure

Re: Trailering Model A
 

I speak from firsthand experience - transporting
year round since 2006 - there is no coverage.

Jim

Re: Trailering Model A
 

So do I, been there ,used it and all paid by State Farm. Your policy may vary :rolleyes:

Re: Trailering Model A
 

Assuming you have a tow vehicle that can safely tow it, rent a U-haul open car hauler one-way and keep the speed to 55 MPH or less and the car will be fine UNLESS you can see right now that the top is not on the car securely and the wind will pull it up. No one will mess with the car when stopped. You can drive a Model A 45 MPH into the wind. It's the same.

Re: Trailering Model A
 

I agree with Mr Cannon and will add one or two additional thoughts...

Load the car backwards onto the U-Haul as it is a tad more aerodynamic that way. Purchase a roll of the plastic furniture wrap that looks like Saran Wrap on steroids, then drape the plastic over the top of the leatherette roof material starting at the visor area and moving towards the rear window overlapping each piece where the air cannot get under the edge of the plastic when moving. Then apply the wrap over the ends of the draped wrap making a continuous wrapping motion all around the window area. It does not hurt to wrap the window area once or twice and then make a crisscross X motion over the top and then continue around the window area. This will better secure the plastic that you draped over the top.

What this does is seals any air from wanting to lift the roof leatherette material as wind enters around windows and windshield, -and it seals moisture from entering the cabin if you encounter inclement weather. Additionally, it will make it difficult for unwanted visitors to prowl inside during overnight stops. In that regard, generally speaking I have found that better quality hotels in better sections of town have good lighting and security cameras. Arrive early enough in the evening at that hotel where you can get a parking spot in a more visible location.

Good Luck and best wishes on your new Tudor.

Re: Trailering Model A
 

Putting a vehicle on an open trailer
and wrapping it in plastic will
rub the paint the paint off the vehicle.


Jim

Re: Trailering Model A
 

Buy a new enclosed trailer in Florida, take your A home worry free, sell the new trailer used one time back at home, money well spent period or keep the trailer you’ll find a use for it. OR hire someone to haul it like Trulyvintage above

Re: Trailering Model A
 

If you are stopped towing a trailer
that is not registered/titled to you
the trailer may be impounded on
the suspicion of theft.

totally silly comment. I guess nobody is allowed to lend their trailer to a friend......

fear tactics here are laughable.

Re: Trailering Model A
 

Truly self serving
and I believe discouraged advertising on this site.

Re: Trailering Model A
 

I'm sure you know best Jim. You usually do! :eek:

Ironically, contrary to your advice, this freshly restored car traveled nearly 1,000 miles without even so much as receiving a paint scuff, -much less the paint actually being rubbed off. I could post a half-dozen or so more similar pics of the same type of wrapping and to my knowledge none of those cars received paint damage. So FWIW, my actual first-hand experience in this does counter your advice but in the end, it is the O/P's decision to do what seems best for their vehicle, so thank you for chiming in with your vast Model-A knowledge.


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1687466708

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1687466713


.
.

Re: Trailering Model A
 

I notice you don't wrap tie down straps around the wheels as I've seen some haulers do - which does damage the paint on the wheels

Common Sense
 

The only reason anyone would transport
any vehicle on an open trailer - let alone
a freshly painted one - is because they are
too cheap to properly transport it in
an enclosed trailer.

The only reason anyone would wrap
plastic around a vehicle being transported
on an open trailer - let alone a freshly
painted one - is because they realize
the fresh paint can be damaged by
transporting it on an open trailer.

Wind gets under plastic wrapped
around a vehicle being towed
which moves the plastic and rubs
the paint.

Putting plastic on a vehicle being
towed on an open trailer subjects
the vehicle to a greater risk of
damaging the paint.

Enclosed car hauling trailers exist
to protect a vehicle during transport.

If wrapping a vehicle with plastic offered
the same protection - you would see open
multi vehicle car carriers loaded with
vehicles wrapped in Saran Wrap
driving own the road.

Jim

Re: Common Sense
 

I don’t disagree with your explanation of the plastic flapping and ruining the paint, but how does the plastic work on new Corvette’s and several other high end cars? They come completely covered. If that damaged the paint, they wouldn’t do it.

Re: Common Sense
 

They have been shrink wrapping boats and other types of equipment for transport for at least 30 years without problems. Imported cars have done it for 20+ years to protect from sea air and acid rain. In the 80s Nissan gave a few acid rain damaged cars to the local Sheriff's dept to use on their EVOC course.

Re: Common Sense
 

Leonard, the product I suggested (plastic wrap) works when it is installed correctly. The plastic wraps are held into position due to the elastic nature of the product. When it is stretched during installation, it conforms to the surface below, and each subsequent layer further compresses the substrate plastic it is covering.



Jim, as to your many comments, I agree with others here that many of your opinions seemingly appear to lack merit and/or factual foundation. In the scenario of the plastic, I honestly stated what has worked for me and our customers, ...and even provided pictures that substantiated my suggestion. Since you often choose to make your public posts as an industry professional with proven experience with what you speak of, I trust you can (-i.e.: will) provide first-hand documentation or pictures that corroborates your statements about insurance coverages, collector automobile values, reasons for using an enclosed carrier, plastic wrap, et/al so we can all learn from facts -and not potential fabrications or inaccurate hearsay.

Re: Common Sense
 

Brent, I think your method of wrapping the car top is a good one. I wish I had seen this several years ago when I hauled my 28 closed cab pickup home. My issue was with the visor that wanted to flap in the wind. That shrink wrap idea would have solved my problem.

Re: Trailering Model A
 

Yes, and two addition points. If you look closely, you will see red terrycloth towels wrapped around the axle prior to placing the axle strap around the axle. With fully cured catalyzed urethane paint, the paint holds-up well to the tie-down straps.




Intelligent Men can generally make intelligent decisions when they know all the Facts.

Jim in this scenario, the "facts" as they applied to the owner of this 'plastic-wrapped' vehicle were a better substitute for your logic. The timeline logistics of his trip with the vehicle, the places they would be traveling to, and the towing capabilities of his vehicle circumvented him from buying/using an enclosed trailer just to haul his vehicle to locations on a one-time trip.

A second scenario against your 'logic' is for most vehicles traveling to a location to receive a frame-up restoration, most people question the value in transporting in an enclosed trailer? I feel they make a great argument since it is their money they would be spending.

Additionally as a scenario against your logic, I just received a vehicle from Texas that was transported here on an open trailer. The owner did not care about if the vehicle's top became ripped, nor if the paint was getting chipped, -or if the car received water damage should he have driven thru a storm since the vehicle was about to be completely renewed. Using your logic, if the owner had towed it in his enclosed trailer, he would have used more fuel to make the trip, and he would have needed to haul the empty trailer home. Instead, he chose to rent an open trailer where he could leave the rental trailer here locally after delivering his vehicle, -and then he had an empty truck for him and his wife to use to sightsee and leisurely travel on the way home. The better fuel mileage on the return trip along with not dealing with a trailer on the trip home more than justified the rental expense for him. For him, there WAS a good substitute to an enclosed trailer. ;)

Re: Trailering Model A
 

I have an enclosed trailer and an open trailer. I transport my concours restored Shelby (I have owned since 1970) in the enclosed trailer because I could never replace the original date coded panels and or glass if they got damaged. My very nice (not fine point worthy) Sport Coupe is a different story. I prefer to trailer it on my open trailer and if it were to get damaged I could repair or replace it. I do use a corrugated plastic panel I made to protect the radiator. I feel comfortable towing this way.


TOB

Re: Trailering Model A
 

The friction hold plastic used to wrap stuff now is NOT like the plastic Jim is referring to.That stuff has to be tied on somehow,and air gets under it and makes it move.The thin stretchy stuff,(I call it shrink wrap but it's really not)holds itself in place with no fasteners.The first time I saw it used on cars was in the late 80's,when I made a few trips between Daytona and southern N.H.hauling cars.The outfit we hauled for did the loading,strapping,and the wrapping on some of the cars.It was mostly done on the bottom tier of cars in case something dripped on them from the top tier.We would cut it off using a letter opener.The first trailer I pulled was a 6 car,and the second was a 9.

Re: Trailering Model A
 

Keith, do you have a site for the "thin stretchy stuff,(I call it shrink wrap)"

Re: Trailering Model A
 

Slightly off topic,
Most enclosed trailers are flat panel boxes with no aerodynamic qualities, an inexpensive build. Streamlining, costing more could be offset in lower fuel consumption and this would be a long term saving!

Re: Trailering Model A
 

[QUOTE/] Keith True;2235328]The friction hold plastic used to wrap stuff now is NOT like the plastic Jim is referring to [/QUOTE]

It's called stretch wrap and used for containing boxes to skids for transport. It can be bought from most industrial suppliers. It comes in rolls in different widths and thicknesses and is used on automatic packagers, hand held dispensers or just applied holding the roll in your hand. This material clings to itself and stretches as you pull it. No need to tie, tape or use any fasteners as it adheres to itself. If done correctly it shapes to the package and can be layered as many times as you like.
Brent shows a great way to use it and is not costly. It's not like tarps that flutter in the breeze and leave a trail of damage.

Re: Trailering Model A
 

I now have a headache. My first Model A I towed home with a chain. The farmer I bought the Model A from towed it with his 1946 Ford PU. This was in 1952. I could hardly reach the pedals when we came to a stop. Years later I bought his PU. No chains now just enclosed for the good stuff

Re: Trailering Model A
 

See which U Haul box truck it will fit in,find a dealer near where the car is and reserve one there.Fly there about 2 1/2 hours not 2 days to drive .Save money by not eating out 6 times, gas and a motel room.It took some convincing my wife it was cheaper for the 4 of us to fly the 1200 miles to Disney in 5 hours down and back instead of 4 days.You will still have to drive back.Drive safe,fly safer.

Re: Trailering Model A
 

very good advice Steve.

not only that, but you come home not all exhausted from the trip...........

Re: Trailering Model A
 

I've been towing my T's an A's on an open trailer for 50 yrs. no issues.
The one T with a glass visor I tow backwards to avoid damage.
The shrink wrap is a great idea.
One time we did bring a car back across county when we knew we were going to be hitting bad weather. We put in in the back of a U-haul truck using a transporters rear lift gate at each end of the country. There was a sign on the wall of the rental place that said "No complete cars in the truck" so we left the radiator cap off......

Re: Trailering Model A
 

Not sure it is that easy to do hauling in a U-Haul truck, -or at least it wasn't with my U-Haul truck. You see, U-Haul truck boxes all use aluminum bed floors and aluminum wheel boxes over the rear wheels. To haul a vehicle requires cribbing or ramps. Also, no real way to tie a car down. Below are some pix on how we dealt with it on my U-Haul....

BTW, it used to be Penske trucks that were dock-high and had wood floors. Even those have changed.

.

Re: Trailering Model A
 

This may explain it better. This was taken back in 2006 and'07 of a customer bring, and taking delivery of his Model-A. Notice in the last picture the floor in the Penske truck was wood, ...and flat over the rear wheels. Unloading was fairly easy as we just used a roll-back wrecker to winch the truck onto the wrecker bed, -then tilt the bed over and lower it to the ground.

Ironically, even the customer chose a different (safer in his mind!) way to take it home since he could not easily strap it down inside the moving truck box.

.

Re: Trailering Model A
 

Brent, your correct. It wasn't a U-Haul it was a Penske truck. We used the racks on the
sides and screwed wood blocks to the floor.
Once it was cinched down the sides of the truck box were actually pulled in a bit.
It jogged my memory when you said Penske....
Dodge

Re: Trailering Model A
 

Looking at your pictures I see wood down the sides, the truck we had actually had
metal tracks that tie downs hooked into.

Re: Trailering Model A
 

Thanks ModelA29 & Brent for the tie down info. I was wondering about the wheel / rim protection with the wheel tie downs