Greetings! First Post/Question

[woodstock]

Greetings from upstate NY! After months of deliberation, research and a visit to the FFR Open House, I finally ordered my MK4 complete kit last month with pick-up scheduled for July. I am also going to the build school in July. I have been following the forum for a long time, and I have learned a lot from all the excellent posts. My Dad got me started as a teenager by buying the "family car"; a '67 GTO. Needless to say it didn't take long before it became my car. I have done most of the grunt repair work on the family cars for the last 40 years, so now I'm ready to have some fun and build a Cobra!
Phase 1- was build a second garage/shed for my 2000 Z3 and everything lawn related. Phase 2- was renovate the existing garage (insulate, heat, paint, cabinets, extend door height, etc.). You know, getting the "nursery" ready! Phase 3-is to bring home the kit!
So here is my first question.
If I build a temporary chassis dolly with locking casters/tie downs, would it work with a 6 x 12 U-haul open trailer WITH RAMP? This way I would roll it off into the garage when I get home. I realize the body may extend over the front slightly in the trailer. I'm hauling with an Expedition, so plenty of room for boxes. Anyone used a dolly before for pick-up? Any thoughts or pictures to share? Thanks!

[bil1024]

I think you would be fine as long as it is secured

[skullandbones]

Welcome to the forum. Seems like a lot of people getting the MKIV recently. Hope you enjoy the build as much as I did: MKIII. I like the idea of the small trailer for your short haul up to NY. However, if I were you I wouldn't put the kit on castors for the trip. I know they are locking and all but it will sit lower and the inertia will be better larger foot print on the trailer which will be much easier to stabilize and tie down. I say this as I have trailered for many years and have found that Murphy's Law applies to trailing anything behind your car more than most cases in life. I was thinking about removing the kit from the trailer when you get it home. I'm not sure there are ramps or a way to tilt the trailer to roll it (could be wrong). I think it would be better to get 3 strong friends and ease it off onto the dolly at home. Just a suggestion. Good luck on your journey and the build! WEK.

[2bking]

Congratulations on your decision. This forum is a great place to get answers, ideas and opinions.

As skullandbones says, wheels aren't your friend when trying to keep a load from moving. And, casters easily collapse when loaded sideways. But there may be way to make it work if you put spacers under the dolly so the casters are off the floor. When you get home, a small jack can be used to remove the spacers.

[woodstock]

Thanks guys for your thoughts. Spacers sound like a good idea. Looking forward to the build. Thanks!

[skullandbones]

That's a great idea, 2bking! A couple of 4x4s under the dolley should make it stable as a rock. So Woodstock, you can save your idea and be safe too. I hate to hear horror stories about wrecked or crashed "Cobras". Have fun! WEK.

[AZPete]

Woodstock, the tailgate and ramp are less than 6 feet wide. I rented an open U-Haul 6 x 12 trailer with ramp to pick up my 818 kit from Stewart in Phoenix. They lowered the kit into the trailer, as FFR can do, onto my chassis dolly but at home I had to take the body panels off before I could roll the frame-on-dolly through the tailgate and down the ramp. Your kit is different but you'd be smart to go measure the trailer tailgate and ramp and plan for it.

BTW, I could have waited 2 more days for Stewart to deliver my kit but I spent money, time and sweat to get it (slightly) sooner. At the time, I had to have it NOW! Like a kid at Christmas! Yes, it's fun to get, fun to build and fun to drive.

[woodstock]

Thanks AZPete! Yes, I will go measure the ramp opening. July is not coming soon enough!

[UpstateCobraGuy]

Welcome to the Forum! Where "Upstate" are you located? I happen to know 3 or 4 guys splattered across the the Empire State who may be willing to show up at you house and drink your beer and eat your food all in the name of a build party!:cool:

But seriously, send me your email and I'll add to the list so you can keep up with guys.

FYI, I used a U-haul trailer to pick up my kit and strapped the body/frame down to a pallet covered with carpet. When I got home, I remove the body and with the help of two friends carried the frame into the garage.

HIH,

Pat