Trailerling TIPS

[barkleydave]

I am ready to hit the road. Going on several tours this summer in the Midwest. I have an open car trailer.

I have pulled lots of cars over the years but new to Model A hauling.

Some suggest backing my 29 truck on the trailer to protect the sun visor.

Gee I started to think... it does not get damaged driving 50-55 mph?
Backing on is more difficult and now I have a huge flat wind screen to pull through the air.

Thoughts suggestions appreciated.

[Dollar Bill]

Remember the wind flowing around the tow vehicle channels more air toward the center of your trailer than if it were a solo vehicle.

You can always load it straight on and keep an eye on it through your rearview mirror - If the buffeting moves your visor too much, just reload it backwards.

[Rex_A_Lott]

Most cars are nose-heavy, and this weight is better carried on the tongue and not the tail of the trailer. Everything i've ever been forced to haul backwards pulled like a bitch, I wouldnt recommend it.
Good Luck

[Domino]

I been towing As on open trailers for 10-15 years and always load them front end first. Just drive themon and back them off. I strap down front and rear and never had any problems at all. Enjoy.

[whirnot]

I trailer my Roadster 70 miles per hour front end first. No issues

[C26Pinelake]

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Originally Posted by Rex_A_Lott

Most cars are nose-heavy, and this weight is better carried on the tongue and not the tail of the trailer. Everything i've ever been forced to haul backwards pulled like a bitch, I wouldnt recommend it.
Good Luck

I agree ! Wayne

[Dave in MN]

15 or so years ago on a windy day, I met a semi-tractor and trailer going about 60 mph while driving my '28 CC pickup about 50 mph. The conditions must have been just right because it lifted and bent the center of the vinyl covered visor upward. It looked like the visor on a well-used baseball cap! I was able to bend it back down so you do not notice any damage. The visor was an original frame with new covering. I now hug the shoulder when meeting those big rigs.
So I think the concern of visor damage while trailering is valid.

The trailer could "fish-tail" loaded backwards, please be careful!
Good Day!

[Tom Foster]

Originally Posted by whirnot

I trailer my Roadster 70 miles per hour front end first. No issues

Hey, Bill, happy trailering. I have a question: Do you trailer your roadster with the top up or down?

First time I pulled my '29, loaded on frontwards, the top ballooned out. Next time I loaded it with the top down. I thought about trying to load it backwards but like you said, it's a lot of work that way.

Fearless

[denis4x4]

I have a 20' open tilt trailer with a truck bed cross tool box with a battery, tools and a winch that provides tongue weight even towing empty. Having lost the visor on a CCPU, I load mine backward as the weight of the engine is over the axles. However, I can see that on a shorter trailer, the weight aft of the axles could pose problems.

[Barry B./ Ma.]

I sold a 29 pickup to a guy that came with an open trailer, he was asked by the new owner to back it on, I can't recall the reason now but he drove it on front first. I think the problem was in backing on to the trailer he couldn't see enough through the small rear window and the bed in the line of sight. Best to drive them on if possible.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

If you have the time to make some modifications to your trailer, here is a suggestion that will protect the front end of the Model A from rocks kicked up and turbulence from oncoming traffic.

Find a shroud from a semi-truck and mount it on the front end of the deck. I just held mine down with about eight 1/4" lag bolts and placed it inside the side rails. I have not taken a photo of my finished trailer but here are a couple of photos that I modified to show what it would look like.

Used shrouds are plentiful, found especially in farmyards where they have converted a semi into a farm truck. Most are free.

[Synchro909]

Why trailer it? Cars were made to drive, Model As included. I've just made a 9,000 mile trip in one of mine so did several others - easy.

[Redbird]

Here is the way I tow with an open trailer. I placed cardboard over the w/s and I have a stone guard on the front of the trailer. I also have the rail tie-down system.

[Gary WA]

Originally Posted by Dollar Bill

Remember the wind flowing around the tow vehicle channels more air toward the center of your trailer than if it were a solo vehicle.

You can always load it straight on and keep an eye on it through your rearview mirror - If the buffeting moves your visor too much, just reload it backwards.

Don't forget to secure your wiper blade with zip tie or something.

[pooch]

I used to use a shade cloth stone shield on front of trailer to stop stones hitting , mainly the radiator and glass are sensitive.

The air could rush thru it, so it reduced any drag, and any stones/rocks would bounce off softly.

[Big hammer]

One could crave foam packing to fit the space under the visor. That would keep air from ripping it off. And a piece to protect windshield, covered with cloth protecting our paint :-)

[barkleydave]

I agree with the ease of driving on forward. Much easier and safer. I have towed it backwards and no problem but was on a 24 FT trailer so positioning over the axles was not a problem.

My trailer is 19 FT about 17ft usable. Figure the engine will be after of the tandem which I do not want. I think I will work on some kind of protection for the visor.

I would love to drive to all events... but more important to keep my better half happy !!!!!

[Skibb]

Originally Posted by whirnot

I trailer my Roadster 70 miles per hour front end first. No issues

I agree - front first and check the load.

[whirnot]

Originally Posted by Tom Foster

Hey, Bill, happy trailering. I have a question: Do you trailer your roadster with the top up or down?

First time I pulled my '29, loaded on frontwards, the top ballooned out. Next time I loaded it with the top down. I thought about trying to load it backwards but like you said, it's a lot of work that way.

Fearless

I have done it both ways. Just the other day I was moving both my A's and had the roadster on a trailer being pulled by someone else. I was following, and was able to observe the top really well. Much to my surprise the top did not billow at all. The rear of the top was just fluttering back and forth gently at 70 MPH. It was being pulled by a one ton truck with a utility bed, so that might have helped break the wind. My biggest concern would be with a brisk quartering wind. then I would put the top down just in case.