Towing the ZR1

[Dynomite]

Towing the ZR-1.

Emergency Kit.....15 ft tow rope (5,000 lb vehicle rating), Jumper Cables, Tow Adapter, Lug Wrench


Daniel_Mc provided a concept/photo of a Tow Adapter for a ZR-1 that in its simplicity I just could not pass up :thumbs:
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.



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.


A. Tow Adapter Description.

When needed for towing, the Tow Adapter is slipped through a 4 inch x 1/8 inch slot in the front Air Spoiler. There are two 1/2 inch holes (not shown in photos) in the Tow Adapter plate (one for 90' and one for 91') depending on which model year you use the Tow Adapter. 1/4 inch Allen Head Bolts are inserted into one hole or other with large Pan Head Washers on each side (and adjusted snug against the Air Spoiler. The 1/4 inch Allen Head bolt keeps the Tow Adapter in place if you want to keep it installed as you drive.


The best tool to make the 4 inch x 1/8 inch slot in the front Air Spoiler is an Angle Grinder (with Cut Off wheel).
The Tow Adapter sticks out beyond the skirt about 4 inches on a 91' and about 6 inches on a 90'.



A nylon tow rope (a steel hook on the end is required) can be attached to the receiver in the Tow Adapter (2 inch x 2-1/2 inch hole).

B. Installing the Tow Adapter.

The Tow Adapter is simply installed by reaching under the Air Spoiler and inserting the front tip of the Tow Adapter into the slot in the Air Spoiler. Push forward and then lightly tap the rear of the Tow Adapter onto the cross member with a small hammer. The Tow Adapter is removed by lightly tapping on the front tip of the Tow Adapter with a small hammer.

[Dynomite]

C. Testing Tow Adapter.

The Tow Adapter was tested towing the 91' ZR-1 with a lawn tractor on gravel. A small nylon sling was used for towing. The Tow Adapter was NOT bolted to the frame in any way.



When towing at an angle of 45 degrees the front wheels were turned in the direction of towing. With a lawn tractor and the use of this Tow Adapter, the ZR-1 could be backed into the street and with a lawn tractor pulled and then releasing the clutch in second gear starting the engine if your battery is dead. There was no deformation of the Tow Adapter during these tests :thumbs:

Towing in a straight line............................................Towing at an angle of 45 degrees.


D. Storing Tow Adapter.

I have elected to carry the tow adapter on the right side of the passenger seat where it fits perfectly with my Gorilla Lug Wrench. I have found with the tow adapter installed it is easy to hit it with a curb when parking. It is very easy to slip in place if needed without jacking the vehicle.

Tow Adapter Stored next to Passenger Seat......................Gorilla Lug Wrench

[garyhugo]

Is the tow adapter available to purchase? Is the cross member it attaches to strong enough to be pulled onto a flatbed? I've often worried about what I would do if my ZR-1 had to be put on a flatbed.

[garyhugo]

Thank you for all your thought on this subject. It does seem iffy to use the tow adapter to load the ZR-1 onto a flatbed truck. So, do you have any good ideas on how this could be done in an emergency? Maybe someone on the forum has some experience doing this. Thanks again Cliff.

[garyhugo]

I have had the car push started successfully. Would like a plan for a really bad day.

[Mikey]

I don?t understand this. Why not just use the tow hole provision in the frame rail on either side of the car? That?s where I hook my winch into when pulling onto a trailer.

[garyhugo]

Pushed by hand in a parking lot.
My concern is tow truck driver showing up and neither of us know how to get it on the truck without damage.

[conesare2seconds]

There are factory tie down points on all four corners of the C4. A little hard to reach when the car is on the ground but doable once you know where they are.