Does the ZR-1 Require a special tow hook or other towing requirements? ---

[alwayscode390]

I hope to never need a tow with the ZR-1 , but as we all know ... our cars are getting relatively old now.

I know the Viper guys keep a set of spare "r-hooks" in their car. Supposedly they fit in the frame correctly and most tow trucks don't carry their own set ... or enough of them.

Is there any towing requirements for these vehicles? Should I invest in anything to keep in the car "just in case"?

Thanks :) ---

[WVZR-1]

Do you have r-hooks now? How long of a strap are they on? Is it just the r-hook on a short link with a conventional hook on the other? If you've got them and they're packed to travel it might not be a bad idea to carry them. If you've a long strap with an r-hook on each end it might make it substantially easier for some recoveries and anchors. I would certainly believe that any responsible towing service would have sufficient r-hooks to anchor or recover your car.

r-hooks work but some actually prefer t-hook and the anchors I have are t-hooks. There's some inexpensive combinations out there also with an r, t and j all with a D-ring. If you've gotem' carry em' If you don't I don't believe I'd buy for just that purpose.

[ZZZZZR1]

Ill send a link to Daniel McGuffee, he has a sweet setup!

:cheers:

David

[Coupe89]

My buddy strapped down my car using 4 of these hooks.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i57/perksolds/2003%20ZO6/DSCF2763.jpg

[Daniel_Mc]

WTH David you spelled my name right!!!!! DAAYMN!!!

I don't have any of the Z but I will take some tonight. Here is another idea:

http://imageshack.us/a/img705/9185/towhook3.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img6/8531/towhook2.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img198/4473/towhook1.JPG

http://imageshack.us/a/img853/1504/towhook.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img819/7455/c4fronttowhook013.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img33/1775/c4fronttowhook.jpg

Coupe89,
I had nylon tow straps done with those for hauling. Makes it nice quick and easy to strap the car down. Tie down point are to the rear of the front tires and in the front of the rears for the C4's.

Again I'll have you some pictures of the set up on the Z tonight.

Daniel

[WVZR-1]

My buddy strapped down my car using 4 of these hooks.



That is what I consider a T-hook, I had someone tell me that was an r-hook one time looking at the profile but I doubted that! I just smiled. Here's what I consider them all:

Left, r-hook, center the t-hook and right a j-hook.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR7y2rGUOSviFLv0pLpVYW-IlsUjXnl4e17U9j0bEaLah5Jan7t

[alwayscode390]

Thanks everyone for the ideas , I just picked up some T-hooks ---

[Fully Vetted]

Thanks everyone for the ideas , I just picked up some T-hooks ---

Where'd you get them?

[alwayscode390]

Just off Ebay ... if you want the link I will send it to you.

I got the hooks with an o-ring attached ---

[Fully Vetted]

Just off Ebay ... if you want the link I will send it to you.

I got the hooks with an o-ring attached ---

That'd be great. Thanks

[Daniel_Mc]

Front Tow hook:
One thing to mention the front bracing on this Z is all welded not bolted like a stock car FWIW.

http://imageshack.us/a/img542/4949/img4858k.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img198/4999/img4856.JPG

http://imageshack.us/a/img89/4008/img4855useypa.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img577/1001/img4854t.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img822/1796/img4853yc.jpg

-Daniel

[Daniel_Mc]

Rear:
http://imageshack.us/a/img69/6161/img4849fo.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img32/2313/img4852hn.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img24/4475/img4843s.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img546/155/img4844ws.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img824/4342/img4842nn.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img826/5517/img4841kz.jpg

-Daniel

[Daniel_Mc]

Do you have dimensions of this adapter?
I assume you made this adapter yourself?
Did you make any extra in that color :D

Thanks,
Cliff

Cliff,

No this was someone that I was racing with at the time. He made this for his car and I have just saved the pictures. I'm sure I could mock something up for the dimensions.

Daniel

[Daniel_Mc]

Cliff,

Thanks but I cannot take any credit on the tow hook. The hooks are original equipment on this ZR-1. The rear tow had been removed at some point in the cars life. However the mounting hardware was still attached. I used a leaf spring U to make the new one and it worked like a champ. The original builder of the Z trucked it around on a semi with the race cars and pulled it in and out of the trailer with the hooks. At one point one of the cars failed and they were using the Z to tow it off the track and back to the pits. The hooks seem to have held up good over the years I see no fatigue or distortions to any part of the hook/frame/or body.

The rear you could make for less than 10 and the front probably the same if you have the tools to weld it yourself. The front just need to be placed in a break to get the angle. I have been meaning to make a few sets but work and life have me slammed at the moment.

Daniel

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Cliff,

Thanks but I cannot take any credit on the tow hook. The hooks are original equipment on this ZR-1. The rear tow had been removed at some point in the cars life. However the mounting hardware was still attached. I used a leaf spring U to make the new one and it worked like a champ. The original builder of the Z trucked it around on a semi with the race cars and pulled it in and out of the trailer with the hooks. At one point one of the cars failed and they were using the Z to tow it off the track and back to the pits. The hooks seem to have held up good over the years I see no fatigue or distortions to any part of the hook/frame/or body.

The rear you could make for less than 10 and the front probably the same if you have the tools to weld it yourself. The front just need to be placed in a break to get the angle. I have been meaning to make a few sets but work and life have me slammed at the moment.

Daniel

Daniel,

Great stuff and I don't mind being on your waiting list when you have time to make a few sets. Thanks for sharing!!! :handshak:

Craig

[ZZZZZR1]

Absolutely love the tow adapter

Makes loading the car in the trailer soooo easy!!!!

Thanks cliff!!!!

:cheers:

David

[scottfab]

Here ya go
https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/2632921856/h354B7F6E/

[emmvette]

Emergency Kit.....15 ft tow rope (5,000 lb vehicle rating), Jumper Cables, Tow Adapter, Lug Wrench
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/Maintenance%20ZR1/b2528f90-9e7e-4b76-9340-cdeadcd1e960.jpg

Daniel_Mc provided a concept/photo of a Tow Adapter for a ZR-1 that in its simplicity I just could not pass up :thumbsup:
So......I designed one after the photo provided by Daniel_Mc and had a local steel shop fabricate the Tow Adapter.
I did some towing tests to see if there are any issues or limitations. One limitation will be towing at an angle in a turn which this adapter without being bolted on the back side of the cross member will not function (that did not seem to be an issue during the tow tests). The Tow Adapter is made from 1/8 inch steel plate which is substantial and flexible enough to tow the ZR-1 with Nylon Tow Ropes having a steel hook on one end.

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/90%20ZR1/da9e6436-f183-4b3a-bff6-9f997d908d58.jpghttp://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/Maintenance%20ZR1/7eb15f73-53c4-414c-a342-736b38857678.jpg

The Tow Adapter is made to engage the 1-1/4 inch square tubing of the frame support under the front of the ZR-1.
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/Maintenance%20ZR1/90f6e3a5-15f7-4070-baf7-ae6b081337aa.jpghttp://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/Maintenance%20ZR1/7973a366-cc53-49aa-b12c-2ef395aa62dd.jpg

Post 16 - Lifting and Towing the ZR-1 (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp.html#post1580070574)

Dynomite: Did you make extras? I am interested in buying a tow hook to install on my car for winching it up into a trailer.

If these are available, please let me know. If somebody has other suggestions, please share.

Thanks

[edram454]

I like the look of this and it is a good idea. How long does it stick out?? I have seen many c5 corvette with tow hooks installed running around all the time. Is this installed with bolts or just to place on metal bar and pull? I am interested in one of these. You never know..... Do you make them?? Price?

ed ramos #3028

[GOLDCYLON]

I hope to never need a tow with the ZR-1 , but as we all know ... our cars are getting relatively old now.

I know the Viper guys keep a set of spare "r-hooks" in their car. Supposedly they fit in the frame correctly and most tow trucks don't carry their own set ... or enough of them.

Is there any towing requirements for these vehicles? Should I invest in anything to keep in the car "just in case"?

Thanks :) ---

Here you go
http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=14308&highlight=towing

[emmvette]

Why would the hook stick out farther on a '90? Is the front end different? Please do measure and photo if you don't mind.

[scottfab]

...snip...

Is there any towing requirements for these vehicles? Should I invest in anything to keep in the car "just in case"?

Thanks :) ---

there is no need for any special adapters for towing. most truck operators will know this but if they don't you can instruct them to tie on to the main member under the engine and use a 2x4 to block out the strap downward and away from the crossmember.
this prevents the strap from rubbing on the front air dam.
no need to cut holes in the air dam at all.

[Dynomite]

Absolutely love the tow adapter

Makes loading the car in the trailer soooo easy!!!!

Thanks cliff!!!!

:cheers:

David

See ZR-1 Towing Adapter (http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?p=201915)

[Blue Flame Restorations]

I don't think it's a matter of wanting or not wanting to modify the lower air dam. It all depends on what the owner needs and wants.

One of my cars would be a great candidate off the towing adapter. I like the looks of it and wouldn't mind modifying/cutting the center air dam at all for that car.

Thanks for posting, Cliff

[scottfab]

Tow hooks are most definitely a good idea for a few
as is cutting up the air damn.
You could even make them longer with a pointy end
as a style point. :-D
Like chariots of old it may start an arms race. :dancing

Seriously NOT the worst mod out there for sure. =D>