Can I toe a boat with a Vette?
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Can I toe a boat with a Vette?
Sorry, I had to put something interesting and unique as a title. I was just thinking about something. I know my 2002 Corvette with heads and cam put down 440 ft-lbs of torque, has 300 ft-lbs of torque solid basically from 1500 rpms up. It is build on a body on frame in which the frame is probably more rigid than some pickup trucks, and it weights 3200 lbs. Why could you not technically pull some heavy freight with a corvette with a trailer with electronic brakes? Does it have to do with wheel base?
I'm just wanting someone to flame me first, cause I know that will happen, but then enlighten me to the physics without calling me a dumbass, lol.
I'm just wanting someone to flame me first, cause I know that will happen, but then enlighten me to the physics without calling me a dumbass, lol.
Last edited by Cody Strife; 11-21-2012 at 12:58 PM.
#6
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St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
Well....let us start with your spelling young man!!
toe vs. tow......
I would think it would depend more on the size of the boat and the tongue weight. Would most likely have to beef up the rear suspension......and find something to weld a hitch system to.
Getting warm yet?....mild flame....
edit: someone beat me to the punch.....
toe vs. tow......
I would think it would depend more on the size of the boat and the tongue weight. Would most likely have to beef up the rear suspension......and find something to weld a hitch system to.
Getting warm yet?....mild flame....
edit: someone beat me to the punch.....
#7
My guess would be that the tongue weight of heavy freight would cause the hitch to drag on the street.
You could absolutely tow (not toe) something light with it and I've see it happen. Some jet-skis perhaps??
You could absolutely tow (not toe) something light with it and I've see it happen. Some jet-skis perhaps??
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
Well let's say 2,000 lbs total weight, 500 on the tongue. Dumbass, I don't need your degenerative remarks, just trying to understand the variables that limit towing factors. I know wheelbase has directly effect towing limits.
#10
Instructor
Thread Starter
Well....let us start with your spelling young man!!
toe vs. tow......
I would think it would depend more on the size of the boat and the tongue weight. Would most likely have to beef up the rear suspension......and find something to weld a hitch system to.
Getting warm yet?....mild flame....
edit: someone beat me to the punch.....
toe vs. tow......
I would think it would depend more on the size of the boat and the tongue weight. Would most likely have to beef up the rear suspension......and find something to weld a hitch system to.
Getting warm yet?....mild flame....
edit: someone beat me to the punch.....
#11
Instructor
Thread Starter
Though it is not politically correct or keeping up with the Jones, it is probably safe to say a corvette would have no problem pulling a 200 horsepower fiberglass bass boat. (Conventional wisdom requires you pull your bass boat with a new crew cab loaded truck, because the idea isn't about fishing as much as it is about showing your *** off and the boat and the new truck is a display of your success, or your exorbinant debt up to your neck)
And no, i'm not wanting to pull a bass boat. If anything I may pull a 49x49 200 lbs utility trailer with tires and tools if I ever get to bring my car to a track session. Not even 1000 lbs, which isn't much at all...
And no, i'm not wanting to pull a bass boat. If anything I may pull a 49x49 200 lbs utility trailer with tires and tools if I ever get to bring my car to a track session. Not even 1000 lbs, which isn't much at all...
Last edited by Cody Strife; 11-21-2012 at 01:08 PM.
#12
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St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
I would think two jet ski's or a 10ft or under open fishing boat would be fine without much modification.
But if you are talking a more "serious" boat, you have to consider springs, tires, frame strength, short axles and tranny. None of which are meant to withstand that kind of use on a Corvette.
Stick to the light stuff and it should work.
And...I'm kind of figuring the "dumbass" remark may have been "tongue-in-cheek" since you seemed to be asking for "flames".....not serious. But I might be wrong too.
But if you are talking a more "serious" boat, you have to consider springs, tires, frame strength, short axles and tranny. None of which are meant to withstand that kind of use on a Corvette.
Stick to the light stuff and it should work.
And...I'm kind of figuring the "dumbass" remark may have been "tongue-in-cheek" since you seemed to be asking for "flames".....not serious. But I might be wrong too.
#15
Instructor
Thread Starter
There you go and I wouldn't worry about damage to the driveline of a corvette as seeing that the 09 up LS3 vettes have a TR6060 and much beffier differential. Convential Wisdom says that will easily withstand 600 ft-lbs of torque.
May need transmission fluid coolers I suppose. Nice picture, that seems to work quite well.
The man specifically says that it works just fine cruising in 4th gear which would be, at highway speeds of 70 mph would be around 2200-2500 rpms?
May need transmission fluid coolers I suppose. Nice picture, that seems to work quite well.
The man specifically says that it works just fine cruising in 4th gear which would be, at highway speeds of 70 mph would be around 2200-2500 rpms?
Last edited by Cody Strife; 11-21-2012 at 01:26 PM.
#16
Instructor
Thread Starter
I think GM puts no towing in the manual for 3 particular reasons.
1. They don't wanna be liable for any damages under warranty. (perhaps)
2. They figured since its a corvette, people aren't going to tow with it anyways.
3. They figured since you have a corvette, we can sell you a truck too. hint. hint.
1. They don't wanna be liable for any damages under warranty. (perhaps)
2. They figured since its a corvette, people aren't going to tow with it anyways.
3. They figured since you have a corvette, we can sell you a truck too. hint. hint.
#17
Drifting
Check this out....
http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vet_031...h/viewall.html
I have seen a hitch for sale on some sites...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...d-mileage.html
post # 20
http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vet_031...h/viewall.html
I have seen a hitch for sale on some sites...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...d-mileage.html
post # 20
Last edited by Johnz02Z06; 11-21-2012 at 01:54 PM.
#20
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '10, '15-'16
Drivetrain is not a concern. Obviously the car has brakes and power to spare and is designed to have the drivetrain operating at severe duty cycles.
What is of concern is the fact that the frame, rigid as it may be, and the suspension, stiff as it may be, are not designed for the very specific loads that are applied when towing.
That being said there are plenty of people that tow stuff with their Vettes and the car is "fine". Just as fine as people that put down double the rwhp as was designed from the factory. Or if you ran 15k between oil changes instead of 7k. You're just eating into the safety margins designed into the car and maybe it will work out and maybe it won't.
What is of concern is the fact that the frame, rigid as it may be, and the suspension, stiff as it may be, are not designed for the very specific loads that are applied when towing.
That being said there are plenty of people that tow stuff with their Vettes and the car is "fine". Just as fine as people that put down double the rwhp as was designed from the factory. Or if you ran 15k between oil changes instead of 7k. You're just eating into the safety margins designed into the car and maybe it will work out and maybe it won't.