Date:         Tue, 20 Feb 2018 02:38:21 -0600
Reply-To:     KI4TLF <ki4tlf@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         KI4TLF <ki4tlf@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Towing and Rock Damage
Comments: To: "Michael A. Radtke" <wa7zpu@5BY9.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <20180219230417.9ed1ab71be3c5f4c9649069e@5by9.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Mike,

Definitely.  I've seen all kind of damage, broken glass, (Windshield,
headlights, fog/driving lights, etc), busted grills, dented hood and even a
dented top and trunk.

I towed an MGB from Louisiana to North Dakota behind a '84 Carat on a  5x10
foot flatbed.
I used a 4x8 foot sheet of plywood, some 2x4's and sheetrock screws to make
a 45 degree deflector over the nose of the car.  I also got some of the foam
1 and 2 inch pipe insulation tape from Home Depot.  I stuck that over the
any edge that may shift around and touch the car.  Did it both on the edges
of the 2x4 and plywood.  Glad I did.
If I do it again, I'll position a tarp from the edge of the plywood to
behind the car attached to the trailer.  Still had a rock go through the
convertible top, but that was the only damage.  From the looks of it, there
was a deep gouge on the plywood directly in line with the gashed hole in the
top. Still have the rock as a souvenir.  There were gouges, gashes, long
scraps all up the plywood after I got there.

Make sure you have the car balanced right on the trailer too.  Weight
forward on the hitch.  I did install a set of air shocks on the back of my
Vanagon for the trip.  Once everything was unloaded, the regular shocks went
back on.

Good luck.


Greg McKinney
SOAR - Simons Organization for Animal Rights
www.soardoggyrescue.org



-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Michael A. Radtke
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2018 12:04 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Towing and Rock Damage

Hello,

I need to tow a tiny car on a 4x8 flat bed trailer behind my Vanagon.
I will keep below 55 mph and only tow in clear weather on paved roads.
Do I need to be concerned about rock damage to the towed car?  If so, what
can I do to minimize the possible damage?

Thanks,
Mike