Anyone put their Z on a rental car trailer?

RN SHARK · 04-08-2016, 03:54 AM

(Also posted in General Discussion Board)

I want to trailer my Z to some track days this summer, some further away than others, and wanted to know how it works out putting the Z on a trailer from one of the rental companies (Budget, U-Haul, Penske). I already know it would take a plethora of 2x8 boards, but wonder about the door opening and the trailer fender.
I did search and found an old thread where someone put the Z on the trailer rear first, but that person also did not have a front bumper on the car for other reasons.

Rusty · 04-08-2016, 08:10 AM

I did. When I broke down in OC Md.

The only way home from there was to rent a U-Haul van and trailer. Had 6 guys at a camp ground push it up onto the trailer. Had no wood to use to help on the ramps.

The front bumper just scraped on the ramps. On the trailer. The fender folds away so that you can open the driver's side door. The safety chain on the front did some damage to the spoiler.

The front wheel stops on the trailer was hitting on the spoiler under the car going down the road.

300 mile drive and 6 hrs to home. I thought I would have more damage then what I did.

dP3NGU1N · 04-08-2016, 11:26 AM

We had to do that to a buddy's Miata recently. I think you need to back onto the trailer to tie it down properly because the front stops are WAY too low for a lowered car. We had to take my buddy's bumper off in order to strap it down. But I think you'd have enough clearance in the rear of you backed it in.

Rusty, I don't see tie downs in your photo. Where did you attach the car? The uhaul we rented attached at the front and required the car wheels to be resting against the front edges of the trailer to prevent movement fore and aft. You can see in your first picture where the tie down straps would be cranked tight right below your bumper. You can also see that if you drove all the way to that point you probably don't have a bumper anymore.

Rusty · 04-08-2016, 01:58 PM

I had to crawl under the trailer to attach the straps. I used 4 straps. 2 front, 2 rear. In a criss-cross. That was the safety chain on the front bumper you see.

RN SHARK · 04-08-2016, 03:48 PM

Rusty, I see your trailer didn't use the wheel net tie down straps.
I'm thinking this won't work out too well to do voluntarily.

YzGyz · 04-08-2016, 04:01 PM

Humm.. this is very interesting.. I never thought of having to put the Z on a trailer before. Good brain food..

YzGyz

Rusty · 04-08-2016, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RN SHARK

Rusty, I see your trailer didn't use the wheel net tie down straps.
I'm thinking this won't work out too well to do voluntarily.

Those were not an option. I couldn't use them. If I had the front tires up against the wheel stops. The stops would have taken out my undertray. If the stops was 1" lower, or having a 1" thick piece of wood under the tires. Think I would have been fine. Remember, all of this was done as an emergency. I didn't have any resources available to me at the time. It was pouring down rain, and I wanted to get back home fast as possible. It was a BAD weekend! Lesson learned on this experience.

Mike B CCTX · 04-10-2016, 06:48 PM

I take my 2013 Nismo to the track on a u haul trailer. I have maybe 10+ trips on a u haul. First, there are two size variants: the older trailers with orange decking and the newer ones with silver decking. The newer silver decked ones are maybe a few inches wider than the old ones. The old ones work. But you have to get the car centered almost perfectly for some slight clearance on either side of the side trailer rails. The silver newer ones will give you maybe 1 1/2-2 inches on either side to play with. I drive my car on to the trailer using 2 2x8 boards under each trailer ramp. The shorter 2x8 is approx 30-32 inches long, the longer one about 48 inches long. I also use about an 18 inch 2x8 at the front of the trailer to raise the nose of the car enough to clear the front trailer lip. I pull all the way on to the trailer until the tires are touching the front lip. I use the wheel straps and chains that are attached to the u haul. I also use heavy duty tie down straps, one on the front and one on the rear for added safety. The car will shift as you drive. I usually stop to pee and check the straps about every 90 min. The rear tie down is easy. The trailer chain and my strap both fit on the rear tie down eyelet on the car. The front is more of a challenge and you will end up on your back under the trailer. The chain I wrap around part of the under suspension. I don't make it extremely tight. My tie down strap hooks on to a tear shaped opening close to where I loop the chain. The fender on the right side of the trailer is hinged and no problem opening the drivers door. My car has its OEM suspension and is not lowered. I can't think of anything else right now but feel free to ask away. My wife and I have gotten pretty good at getting the trailer hitched to my truck and the car loaded and unloaded. I have done it by myself a few times, probably safer and easier with someone helping /guiding you on.

Mike B CCTX · 04-10-2016, 06:54 PM

A couple of pics:

Mike B CCTX · 04-10-2016, 07:19 PM

Sorry, pics must be too big. Will edit and resend. Also, head up my butt, trailer is hinged on left side. Rusty, not a good idea to use your front two hook for the chain. Suck it up and crawl under the trailer. You probably realize that now.

takjak2 · 04-10-2016, 08:10 PM

I've done the Uhaul trailer more than once. Works just find. Optionally add a couple pieces of 1x8 under the front wheels for lip clearance.

Anything will fit on these trailers when loaded backwards. Though, depending on your tongue weight not an ideal setup if you're going for a long haul.

takjak2 · 04-10-2016, 08:13 PM

Depending on your ride height and spring rate you may need door clearance: climb out the window or have a hefty buddy lean on the passenger side.

Rusty · 04-10-2016, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

I had to crawl under the trailer to attach the straps. I used 4 straps. 2 front, 2 rear. In a criss-cross. That was the safety chain on the front bumper you see.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike B CCTX

Sorry, pics must be too big. Will edit and resend. Also, head up my butt, trailer is hinged on left side. Rusty, not a good idea to use your front two hook for the chain. Suck it up and crawl under the trailer. You probably realize that now.

The safety chain was on the tow hook. I had straps under the car to the trailer.

04-08-2016, 03:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
RN SHARK Track Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Delafield, WI Age: 44 Posts: 618 Drives: 09 370Z, 14 SRT GC Rep Power: 35	Anyone put their Z on a rental car trailer? (Also posted in General Discussion Board) I want to trailer my Z to some track days this summer, some further away than others, and wanted to know how it works out putting the Z on a trailer from one of the rental companies (Budget, U-Haul, Penske). I already know it would take a plethora of 2x8 boards, but wonder about the door opening and the trailer fender. I did search and found an old thread where someone put the Z on the trailer rear first, but that person also did not have a front bumper on the car for other reasons. __________________ ___________ '09 6sp/Z1/PowerTrix/SPL/Swift/SRP/Whiteline/F.I.LTH&CBE/UpRev by Seb/CJM/Stillen/Ings+1/RJM/TrackSpec/Sparco/Motul/Wavetrac/Coolerworx/Verus/CraftSquare '14 SRT Grand Cherokee; '08 TL Type-S

04-08-2016, 11:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
dP3NGU1N A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Irvine Posts: 1,682 Drives: 13 PW sport 6mt Rep Power: 18	We had to do that to a buddy's Miata recently. I think you need to back onto the trailer to tie it down properly because the front stops are WAY too low for a lowered car. We had to take my buddy's bumper off in order to strap it down. But I think you'd have enough clearance in the rear of you backed it in. Rusty, I don't see tie downs in your photo. Where did you attach the car? The uhaul we rented attached at the front and required the car wheels to be resting against the front edges of the trailer to prevent movement fore and aft. You can see in your first picture where the tie down straps would be cranked tight right below your bumper. You can also see that if you drove all the way to that point you probably don't have a bumper anymore. __________________ 35% Hooper Optik \| Takeda Attack CAI \| F.I. HFC \| Hotchkis Sway Bar \| Stillen 24row \| OS Giken Super Lock LSD \| TK Shift Knob \| EVO-R Carbon Diffuser

04-08-2016, 01:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 68 Posts: 35,219 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684438	I had to crawl under the trailer to attach the straps. I used 4 straps. 2 front, 2 rear. In a criss-cross. That was the safety chain on the front bumper you see. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

04-08-2016, 03:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
RN SHARK Track Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Delafield, WI Age: 44 Posts: 618 Drives: 09 370Z, 14 SRT GC Rep Power: 35	Rusty, I see your trailer didn't use the wheel net tie down straps. I'm thinking this won't work out too well to do voluntarily. __________________ ___________ '09 6sp/Z1/PowerTrix/SPL/Swift/SRP/Whiteline/F.I.LTH&CBE/UpRev by Seb/CJM/Stillen/Ings+1/RJM/TrackSpec/Sparco/Motul/Wavetrac/Coolerworx/Verus/CraftSquare '14 SRT Grand Cherokee; '08 TL Type-S

04-08-2016, 04:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
YzGyz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Houston Posts: 1,449 Drives: 2010 Nismo Rep Power: 63	Humm.. this is very interesting.. I never thought of having to put the Z on a trailer before. Good brain food.. YzGyz __________________ http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...gyzs-turn.html YzGyz

04-10-2016, 06:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mike B CCTX Base Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Posts: 46 Drives: 2013 370Z NISMO Rep Power: 11	I take my 2013 Nismo to the track on a u haul trailer. I have maybe 10+ trips on a u haul. First, there are two size variants: the older trailers with orange decking and the newer ones with silver decking. The newer silver decked ones are maybe a few inches wider than the old ones. The old ones work. But you have to get the car centered almost perfectly for some slight clearance on either side of the side trailer rails. The silver newer ones will give you maybe 1 1/2-2 inches on either side to play with. I drive my car on to the trailer using 2 2x8 boards under each trailer ramp. The shorter 2x8 is approx 30-32 inches long, the longer one about 48 inches long. I also use about an 18 inch 2x8 at the front of the trailer to raise the nose of the car enough to clear the front trailer lip. I pull all the way on to the trailer until the tires are touching the front lip. I use the wheel straps and chains that are attached to the u haul. I also use heavy duty tie down straps, one on the front and one on the rear for added safety. The car will shift as you drive. I usually stop to pee and check the straps about every 90 min. The rear tie down is easy. The trailer chain and my strap both fit on the rear tie down eyelet on the car. The front is more of a challenge and you will end up on your back under the trailer. The chain I wrap around part of the under suspension. I don't make it extremely tight. My tie down strap hooks on to a tear shaped opening close to where I loop the chain. The fender on the right side of the trailer is hinged and no problem opening the drivers door. My car has its OEM suspension and is not lowered. I can't think of anything else right now but feel free to ask away. My wife and I have gotten pretty good at getting the trailer hitched to my truck and the car loaded and unloaded. I have done it by myself a few times, probably safer and easier with someone helping /guiding you on. RN SHARK and katjmmx like this.

04-10-2016, 06:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mike B CCTX Base Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Posts: 46 Drives: 2013 370Z NISMO Rep Power: 11	A couple of pics:

04-10-2016, 07:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mike B CCTX Base Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Posts: 46 Drives: 2013 370Z NISMO Rep Power: 11	Sorry, pics must be too big. Will edit and resend. Also, head up my butt, trailer is hinged on left side. Rusty, not a good idea to use your front two hook for the chain. Suck it up and crawl under the trailer. You probably realize that now.

04-10-2016, 08:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
takjak2 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 1,922 Drives: Legit Racecar 370Z Rep Power: 142	I've done the Uhaul trailer more than once. Works just find. Optionally add a couple pieces of 1x8 under the front wheels for lip clearance. Anything will fit on these trailers when loaded backwards. Though, depending on your tongue weight not an ideal setup if you're going for a long haul. __________________ Mods \| Stuff \| Things \| Seat Time \| Nismo facebook.com/TeamSparrowSpeed

04-10-2016, 08:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
takjak2 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 1,922 Drives: Legit Racecar 370Z Rep Power: 142	Depending on your ride height and spring rate you may need door clearance: climb out the window or have a hefty buddy lean on the passenger side. __________________ Mods \| Stuff \| Things \| Seat Time \| Nismo facebook.com/TeamSparrowSpeed

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