john g
07-01-2015, 06:44 AM
I needed to tow my 818 to the Maryland State Police / MVA (for VIN assignment) and then to a safety inspector before the car could be registered. Here is what happened.
1. I wanted to insure the car while it was on the trailer and driving into the garages. My regular insurer and the classic insurer who covered my Corvair both required a VIN. I did find Midwest Classic Insurance (Robbin) who would issue a policy using the FFR chassis number.
2. I went to the local U Haul and rented a pickup truck and car carrier. They loaded on my Outback and I drove home to change loads. The Outback went on easily and without any issues.
3. We ran into two problems with the 818. First, because of the ground clearance, we needed to smooth out the angles where the ramps touch the street and where the ramps connect to the trailer. We first tried using 2x6 lumber to step up the car, but this was a pain. Someone then told us to jack up the front of the trailer and we were in business. The angles were small enough for the 818 to clear. With the last unloading, I drove the pickup truck rear wheels onto two 2x6s to raise both the truck and trailer and then lifted both a bit more with my floor jack. Very easy and I didn't need to unhitch the trailer.
4. We needed to load the 818 backward. It turns out that the 818 front bumper will not clear the wheel chocks built into the U haul trailer. Unfortunately we learned this the hard way, and I now have a small crack in my bumper. Loading backward, the rear bumper clears easily. We needed to get the 818 perfectly straight so that both wheels touched the stops.
5. I was concerned about towing a roadster backward as Corvair experts recommend against this. I had no problems, and the windshield is in the car. Watching the rear view mirror vibrate was disconcerting for the first few miles, but not as much as seeing my Outback tailgating me as I drove from and back to the U Haul.
John
The U Haul bill was $200, plus another $30 in gasoline. The cost was high because I drove over 100 miles to the State Police / MVA and to a safety inspection station. I posted experiences at these stops under the registration and emissions forum.
1. I wanted to insure the car while it was on the trailer and driving into the garages. My regular insurer and the classic insurer who covered my Corvair both required a VIN. I did find Midwest Classic Insurance (Robbin) who would issue a policy using the FFR chassis number.
2. I went to the local U Haul and rented a pickup truck and car carrier. They loaded on my Outback and I drove home to change loads. The Outback went on easily and without any issues.
3. We ran into two problems with the 818. First, because of the ground clearance, we needed to smooth out the angles where the ramps touch the street and where the ramps connect to the trailer. We first tried using 2x6 lumber to step up the car, but this was a pain. Someone then told us to jack up the front of the trailer and we were in business. The angles were small enough for the 818 to clear. With the last unloading, I drove the pickup truck rear wheels onto two 2x6s to raise both the truck and trailer and then lifted both a bit more with my floor jack. Very easy and I didn't need to unhitch the trailer.
4. We needed to load the 818 backward. It turns out that the 818 front bumper will not clear the wheel chocks built into the U haul trailer. Unfortunately we learned this the hard way, and I now have a small crack in my bumper. Loading backward, the rear bumper clears easily. We needed to get the 818 perfectly straight so that both wheels touched the stops.
5. I was concerned about towing a roadster backward as Corvair experts recommend against this. I had no problems, and the windshield is in the car. Watching the rear view mirror vibrate was disconcerting for the first few miles, but not as much as seeing my Outback tailgating me as I drove from and back to the U Haul.
John
The U Haul bill was $200, plus another $30 in gasoline. The cost was high because I drove over 100 miles to the State Police / MVA and to a safety inspection station. I posted experiences at these stops under the registration and emissions forum.