Topic: trailering vs. driving?
in Forum: Annual C3VR Member Gathering
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I was originally planning to trailer my 78 SA to the gathering. My main concern with driving it that far was the auto. tranny (slipping). I picked the car up today from the tranny shop ( complete rebuild).It was purring like a kitten and no more slipping tranny. We are now leaning towards being adventerous and driving. Any thoughts?
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You can't enjoy a car on a trailer! You don't get many chances to re-live the past! Go for the gusto! (as long is the car is up to it!)
Barry
The most important consideration is safety. If you feel confident in the other mechanicals (brakes, engine, suspension, steering, etc) then by all means drive it. There's nothing like going cross-country in a Vette, especially if you're traveling in a caravan with others.
If you feel any of the mechanicals are less than 100% for an extended drive and may put your safety (and your passenger's) and the safety of other cars sharing the road with you at risk then trailer it. The driving around the gathering will be the same regardless of how the car gets there.
I've trailered "The Toy" to the gatherings in '06 and '08 because I wasn't 100% confident in it enroute for long distances. "The Beast" attended the gatherings in '07 and '10 because it was more economical to drive it thousands of miles. I haven't made a decision yet on transportation this year because "The Toy" is still off-site in winter storage and I haven't had the opportunity to bring it home and check it out.
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
I am with the big Norsky on this one..unless you are concerned about putting miles on the car..if not I would drive it as much as possible untill the time comes for the meet..debug the car as much as possible and go for it..try and get it with one of the groups heading out..safety in numbers when it comes to needing a tool or help if something does happen.
Have fun
Rich
Have fun
Rich
My first parade at Carlisle 2010
Former Member
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
Everyone has different objectives with their cars...my attitude is to keep my car in as good a condition as I can and not be afraid to drive it. That means I run the risk of something happening to it...stone chips, bird crap or worse.
The fun of owning the car is driving it. If I'm too scared to drive it out of fear of something bad happening, then it's time to sell the car to someone else.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
With fuel prices being the way they are(and it's gonna get worse), I'd say drive that puppy! I thought about trailering the '74 up there, but fuel costs would have KILLED us. It's gonna be bad enough as it is with just the '74 and it's lackluster fuel mileage. I'm with the other gents here. If the car is capable of completing the trip safely, by golly go for it!
Be sure your BRAKES are in order, as well as the cooling system, as those two things seem to be the most common failure areas on road trips with older vehicles.
See ya there!
Be sure your BRAKES are in order, as well as the cooling system, as those two things seem to be the most common failure areas on road trips with older vehicles.
See ya there!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I do almost all my own work on my 2 vett's.
The 72 is on the ramps with the frontend all tore apart.
I trailer mine because I don't like to put the miles on them and I still get better mileage with the GMC pulling the trailer than the driving the vett itself.
Lifetime MemberEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2468
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
DRIVE IT. We are all in the same plastic car, with the same problems. We are a team, work together and fix together. See ya there!
in Forum: Annual C3VR Member Gathering
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