Trailering...

[WV Ridge Runner]

Good morning!

My trailer is a Haulmark 20' Enclosed Car Hauler (102" wide).

It has a dove tail and ramp door.

I am going 500 miles to pick up my new toy, a 2002 WS6 TA that has been lowered 2" at both ends.

My question before making the drive is, will I have any problem loading and hauling this car? I know it should fit, and i can jack up the front to get a gentler ramp angle, but my concern is fitting it between the wheel wells. There is 82" between the wheel wells, and they are 9.5" tall.

I have had several cars in there before, but never a Firebird...

Thoughts?

While we're at it, can anybody point me to a thread about the best tie-down points for latching the car down? Free advice? I don't have the capability to use tire straps, need to hook to the frame if possible...

Thanks!

[pajeff02]

I trailer our Trans Am all the time back and forth to the track. It is the widest car I haul so you should double check the measurements to be safe with the distance you are travelling.

I do have a couple of 2" x 8"s that I lay at the end of my ramp to get the nose up in the air to clear it. I strap around the front lower control arms and around the rear axle. Never had an issue.

[SMWS6TA]

Jeff do you winch it in/out?

[pajeff02]

Most of the time. The car sets too low and the side door and wheel wells are too high for me to open the door. I have to enter and exit a la Duke boys.

[WV Ridge Runner]

I don't have a winch, but I am taking the 120 lb wench... She'll squirm right out the window... I already have some planks loaded up & ready to go... How wide are these cars at the rockers?

[pajeff02]

Not sure if the info is accurate - but try this: 2002 Firebird Specs

Our car is parked up the road right now and it is raining buckets... so no chance of getting you a measurement.

[WV Ridge Runner]

Looks like I'm gonna have about 3" on each side... Better tie it tight, eh?

[pajeff02]

Cross strap it like you see in the pic and you should be fine.

[RONS98TA]

I was also gonna mention the "cross strapping" method. It's the best way to keep the car planted in the exact spot you started at. One strap per front control arm making sure not to crush any ABS wiring or brake lines. With it being lowered its gonna suck to get under the car after its in the trailer, so I would recommend after you get the car up on the ramps of the trailer BEFORE going into it, toss the small hooks around the front control arms while you have the best access. Then after you park it in the spot your gonna leave it for the haul, just reach under the car and grab the straps. Wrap the rear end housing around the rear differential pumpkin. Again criss cross them as in the pict pajeff02 sent. Then tighten all 4 straps a little at a time trying to pull it evenly. After your done, give the car a few good bounces front and back and tighten the straps 1 last time. You should be fine if the prep work is done correctly. I hauled my buddies turbo Mustang from Florida to Maryland rolling at....the posted speed limit(of course) and never had an issue. Good luck, and congrats on the new ride!!!

[WV Ridge Runner]

I'm old and broken so I normally hook up all the chains solid (crossed, no binder) up front, put the car in neutral, and shove it back until tightened. Then I use binders in the back to pull it tight (crossed). However, I am stopping to buy some straps for this car, with some kind of soft ties to wrap around the axle... I just can't put chains on a WS6!

[pajeff02]

I use nylon axles straps at all four corners. They have metal rings on each end and protect the car from damage. Like Ron stated, it is best to drive the car partway up the ramp to get at the suspension.

[WV Ridge Runner]

I ended up wrapping the front straps by driving it up on some wood to raise the nose, then had the wife pull the straps as I drove it in... The back was easy, but they pushed up on the muffler... Don't think that hurt anything, might have chaffed my straps a little... Anyway, I had plenty of room, and climbing out wasn't a problem with the T-Top! Now, if I hadn't blown a spring shackle on the trailer and spent 5 hours along side the road for a fix, it would have been an uneventful trip! Chasing trailer parts in the middle of nowhere, on Saturday, fun stuff! Now to go unload her and take her for the shake-down cruise!

[RONS98TA]

Good to hear most of your adventure went well. The joy of the shakedown drive will make it all worth while!!! Make sure you leave a nice healthy set of dual black stripes on the street where you make this said "shakedown" drive! LOL