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Pulling a Corvair onto a flatbed tow truck

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 9:17 pm
by tricordati
Any recommendations on pulling a Corvair onto a flatbed tow truck either from the front or rear preferred?

Re: Pulling a Corvair onto a flatbed tow truck

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 9:42 pm
by 61SuperMonza
When I transported my 61 on a tilt bed I went ass first. It rode fine. Getting the weight close to the CG of the truck is key.

Re: Pulling a Corvair onto a flatbed tow truck

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 9:46 pm
by tricordati
Thanks. I have a 63 and was also wonder where the tilt bed operator hooks on to at the rear.

Re: Pulling a Corvair onto a flatbed tow truck

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 10:06 pm
by 61SuperMonza
Is your car not currently running? I just backed my car on.
The guy can make a bridle with his cains and winch it on if it's not running.
There may be other opinions but I had the driver chain to the crossmembers for transport. I followed behind the driver and the car rode great.

Re: Pulling a Corvair onto a flatbed tow truck

Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 8:24 pm
by tricordati
Thanks. Not currently running so need to transport it.

Re: Pulling a Corvair onto a flatbed tow truck

Posted: Wed May 19, 2021 7:43 am
by vwgreg
I am looking for advice.

Tomorrow I have to retrieve my ‘65 from the seller and will be using an electric winch to pull it up rear end first onto my trailer.

At this point don’t know if it will roll or not, have a set of tires to go onto it to replace the ones that won’t inflate.

I already did a search, I’m lousy at searching forums and came up with zilch.

My problem is that I am really unsure where to hook the chains to so to pull it up onto the trailer.

Someone on another site mentioned the rear engine mount but I’m not sure that’s a good place at all.

Re: Pulling a Corvair onto a flatbed tow truck

Posted: Wed May 19, 2021 8:02 am
by joelsplace
There are oval holes in the body in the bottom of the rockers that are made for T hooks. You could use nylon straps around the outside ends of the lower links in the rear suspension too. The engine mount is not the place to connect and you would have to partially disassemble the car to get at it anyway. Do not use the bumper mounts! They are way too flimsy.

Re: Pulling a Corvair onto a flatbed tow truck

Posted: Wed May 19, 2021 8:17 am
by vwgreg
Ok thanks for the fast reply, I should have straps in my tow box (former box truck) and I’ll look for the slots for the t-hooks when i get there. The links may be the best bet right now.

Re: Pulling a Corvair onto a flatbed tow truck

Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 12:52 pm
by vwgreg
Just a follow up, Joel I used a strap around the lower arms, should have taken a picture of it but didn’t have time, there was no problem with getting the car on the trailer, pulled it up with two flat tires because I could not get the old ones off the car.

It came up with little fanfare and looks happy at its new home. Next week it will be moved into its new spot for a bit and wrapped up for a while.

I learned the winch has too much cable and I have to replace it with something smaller and less of it. I don’t need a 20k cable.

Also learned that my trailer (new to me) pulls really well, better than my old one.

Re: Pulling a Corvair onto a flatbed tow truck

Posted: Fri May 21, 2021 8:16 pm
by joelsplace
Excellent!
It is great when you get one all loaded and it pulls nice too.
How can a winch have too much cable unless it won't all fit the spool?
20k must be a really big cable 5/8?

Re: Pulling a Corvair onto a flatbed tow truck

Posted: Sat May 22, 2021 1:59 pm
by vwgreg
joelsplace wrote: Fri May 21, 2021 8:16 pm Excellent!
It is great when you get one all loaded and it pulls nice too.
How can a winch have too much cable unless it won't all fit the spool?
20k must be a really big cable 5/8?
Well I was wrong, i thought it was 7/16 inch but it is 1/2 inch cable, 80 feet of it which is a pain to deal with on the spool because I can’t layer it right.

Break limit I thought for 7/16 was 20k?

My other winch has 3/8 inch cable and layers great.

Re: Pulling a Corvair onto a flatbed tow truck

Posted: Sun May 23, 2021 11:39 am
by joelsplace
A half inch cable would need a larger diameter spool than a 3/8 to wind correctly unless the strands on the 1/2 were small enough. My 8k winch has broken 3/8 cable before but I'm sure it was probably damaged.
7/16 can be 20k depending on what kind.
I have to use a snatch block and come along to keep mine winding correctly. I bought level winders but haven't installed them yet.