Towing a car on an open trailer

[snowmanmtl]

I will be towing from the great white north to Case Key, Florida. I have a pretty snug fitting water proof cover. Should I use the cover or will it scratch the finish. Anybody have any experience? Would like to keep the salt and road grime off the car but not at the cost of scratches.

[Hot Shot Merc]

Wax it real thick before you leave and then when you get out of the salt and grime take the cover off wash the car and go the rest of the way uncovered.I live not far from casey key.Its here in Sarasota county. :)

[Raceman]

I usually tow my cars enclosed, but when I do it open I never cover em. I've seen the covers, even the ones with soft linings scuff both cars and boats. It doesn't take much rubbing on an extended trip to go through wax. I had a boat towed here from Idaho a while back and the guy covered it with a fairly tight fitting cover that was made for it and it had some pretty nasty scuffs that never came out. It was over a 2500 mile trip, but sounds like yours is gonna be pretty long also.

I think it's also the reason you don't see bras on the front of cars as much anymore. It's really hard to get em where they don't rub paint with extended use.

[ProComp]

I always buy real soft cotton comforters like you would put on a bed and put them under my snowmobile cover when trailering. Might help with a car too.

[CDave]

Get some of that white plastic stuff they use to haul new cars to dealers.

[Forkin' Crazy]

All the flapping ect will scratch the paint. Have seen it go almost to the metal.

[mendo]

I have seen a lot of cars come in to Hot August Nights in Reno all scratched up from the covers. The dirt will find it's way under the cover and sand off the finish. Most guys let it get dirty without the cover and wash it off when they get there.

[sms]

No cover. It's safest to prevent abrasive wear.
You don't drive on the interstate with a cover on and your finish survives, right?

[WARLOCK]

I agree. No cover. Also if you going on salty roads you might want to wd-40 the frame and under the car as much as possible. When you you get to your destination just wipe it off. I also do that to my sleds. Later, Dave

[Jay R.]

have it plastic wrapped and heat shrunk if your that concerened, anything less than that your better off without a cover.

[snowmanmtl]

Went without the cover. Have a a large tool box in the front of the trailer so it didn't get too splattered. Would have preffered to use an enclosed trailer but my tow vehicle is a little small for that. Trip went smoothly except for the burnt Alternater and battery during the Monsoons in the Carolinas at 3 in the morning. Drove 36 hrs straight including the stop in a VERY small town in N. Carolina for the repairs.
Anyway, the car now has the required 1000 mile break-in complete and I'm off to Roebling Road for a couple of days of Lapping at the end of the Month.
P.S. I thought Florida was supposed to be warm. I'm not sure but I thought I saw a few snowflakes the other night.

[Raceman]

Awright, you can't say Roebling Road without more details. I've got several hundred laps, maybe more, there in an F40 at various Ferrari Club events, as well as a Good Guys weekend or two in the 90's. It's a fun and challenging track. If you've never driven it, I'd like to know what you think when you're done. I can't remember the turn numbers now except for 1 & 2, but that back shute (short straight before the front straight) and the entry to it was always a bitch to me and always full of marbles if you get off on the wrong side. In the last straight leading up to that section, a wild dog chased a deer across right in front of me the last time we were there................. pretty scary at 80 or so under hard acceleration in a point and shoot car.

[snowmanmtl]

Jan. event was Chin Motorsport open lapping days. Unfortunately, there was an Ice storm on the first day! Great for my first day at the track. Spun it at the end of the front straight at 240km/hr -- oops. No damage done. Have spent a total of 5 lappings days there and it was good practice but have moved on to VIR. More speed, turns and more technical. Will be there for two events at the end of March and then move north to other tracks. Have changed tow vehicle and trailer( Pic) below. Much better setup. Dropped the car off the old trailer before first event at Roebling so, made a change.

[snowmanmtl]

Ran into Peter, he was my first instructor when I started.