'Rora on a truck?

[metazai]

Ok, I have a 1997 Aurora . . . and I'm about to move my family. My father-in-law, a truck driver, has offered his rig to help. It's across country, and for many reasons, he's suggested putting the car on the truck (a standard tractor-trailer), so we'll have room for that and all our posessions -- or will we? Anybody had any experience in doing this? Is there room? Do I need to remove the side mirrors? Can I remove the side mirrors? How do I remove the side mirrors if necessary?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[shadowtech]

Well, a standard trailer is about 8 to 8.5ft wide. A 97 aurora is 6.2ft overall width. So it "should" fit.. but you'd never get out of the car if you drove it in unless you climbed out the window in the narrow gap.

It would be great for you if it was possible.. but you'd most likely have to push the car in, and not being able to steer from inside would make it a tedious task. The good news is even with the smallest trailer at around 40ft long.. you'd have around 184sq ft to store your other possessions (288sq ft for a 53' trailer).

[robaurora01]

if your a tiny person ull be fine, honestly its easy to do and ive seen it done but with a smaller car of course. Leave the window open incase battery dies or something or another just makes your life a lot easier.

[Marc]

OK only if the trailer is designed as a car carrier.

[XJSman89]

Aug 7, 2008 18:30:37 GMT -6 Marc said:

OK only if the trailer is designed as a car carrier.

Not necessarily true, it could be done. Climbing out the window sounds do-able, just be sure to put a towel over the door to prevent possible scratches when you do so!

[95mushroom]

Two issues, first, how in the world do you plan on actually get the car up, and into to the trailer? Two 4"x2" planks as a ramp aren't gonna cut it. Do you have access to a loading dock?

Second, simply having the car in park inside the trailer, isn't gonna to cut it either, or the car will slide around. I'm not that familiar with trailers, but I think there should mounts to tie pallets down, but I'm not sure what the load limit is. If there something like 10,000lbs, we're golden.

I wouldn't drive the car in. Put it in neutral and push. Granted, this way won't work if you find some massive aluminum ramps or something, but push it in, slide yourself in next to the car with the drivers window down, and reach in and put it in P, then strap it down. To get it out, same thing, but you'll need to hit the brake to get it neutral. Use a block of wood if you can't reach, then pull the car out.

[rvrrat]

I would put it on a trailer and tow it behind a u haul truck, lot easier, or just drive it. Auroras love Road Trips!

[ntrenn]

Standard semi trailers today are 100" (8'4")inside width - more than enough space. If you can chain the car down similar to the way car carriers do, you should be all right, but you MUST find out the anchor points on the car before you even try. If you anchor the car at the wrong places, you could end up with plenty of bent parts. If his trailer has the capability of in-floor anchors - you could be in business.

As far as getting it into the trailer - you will need to find a friend with a real truck dock to drive the car into the trailer properly.

There are people out there that specialize in covered transport. Sold my neighbor's Model A a few years back - the guy who bought it sent in a transport Co with a specialized covered trailer - $1200 to go from Indiana to Los Angeles...

[rvrrat]

This is true, but i would still put it in, or on a trailer behind a Pickup Truck, it will be a lot easier

[metazai]

Thanks for all the replies! Here's the plan . . . we're going to get a flatbed tow truck, load it up, then back it up to the trailer and push it in, and I reach in, put it in park. Before that, we've measured out and nailed down 18 inch long 2x6 planks to act as chocks in front of and behind each wheel to prevent slippin' and slidin.

If I could tow it, I'd just drive it - - but this is a full-length trailer, and we're trying to do it all in one go.

Thoughts?

[metazai]

My only other option would be someone in So Cal lookin to pay $3500 for a 1997 Aurora with 93K, which, as much as I love this car, ain't worth that much.

=+)

[rvrrat]

good luck towng it i still think you should chain the axels down to the floor of the truck

[95mushroom]

Aug 8, 2008 22:55:46 GMT -6 metazai said:

Thanks for all the replies! Here's the plan . . . we're going to get a flatbed tow truck, load it up, then back it up to the trailer and push it in, and I reach in, put it in park. Before that, we've measured out and nailed down 18 inch long 2x6 planks to act as chocks in front of and behind each wheel to prevent slippin' and slidin.

If I could tow it, I'd just drive it - - but this is a full-length trailer, and we're trying to do it all in one go.

Thoughts?

Put some on the sides too, just to CYA. Accidents are accidents for a reason, a big bump while turning sharply at speed could send the old girl through the trailer wall. That, would not be fun...

[XJSman89]

Aug 9, 2008 23:54:46 GMT -6 95mushroom said:

a big bump while turning sharply at speed could send the old girl through the trailer wall. That, would not be fun...

Lol no joke! It hurts to even think about it!

[scottydl]

I'm sure it CAN be done because there are trucking companies that transport cars in enclosed trailers. But you need to have it restrained properly. Standard car carriers use ratcheting straps and safety chains/hooks to make sure there is almost no chance the car is going anywhere. If the trailer overturned, the cars would still be attached... just upside down.

It's a good offer, but make sure you research and tie the car down properly. I would not trust a couple pieces of wood to keep down a 4000# car.

[metazai]

Well, for the supporters, doubters, and nay-sayers . . . here's pictures of some wood blocks, padding, and some big ol' straps, and she traveled safely over 2000 miles to her new home in North Carolina. Thanks for all the ideas and comments!

[ntrenn]

You are one BRAVE dude - No way I would have strapped over the hood - but it did the job. Congratulations.

[metazai]

Interesting . . . why not?

[Oldsnut]

WOW!! and welcome to your new home.

[rvrrat]

Wow is Right i would have strapped to the Axles Strapping over The hood does not hold anything it just hugs the car Congrats on the new home Tho

[scottydl]

Glad it worked out for ya. Not that I thought it couldn't be done, but there were some risks in there. Luckily you overcame them!

[ntrenn]

Hoods are not made to take shipping loads - frames, control arms, big heavy pieces of iron are made to take those loads. Hoods are just a body closure - take up space - and only have the minimum stiffness to keep them from flopping in the breeze.

[aldrichd]

Looks like it all worked out. Well done!