Article ( The Wrong Way to Transport a Car )

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The Wrong Way to Transport a Car

Hagerty Plus / 2004-11-24

VEHICLE COVERED: 1953 Packard Caribbean convertible

WHAT WENT WRONG: On his way from his home in Texas to a car show in South Dakota, the insured was transporting his 1953 Packard Caribbean convertible, which he’d carefully tied to a dual axle trailer. The trailer tires were sturdy 8-ply steel-belted radials. Yet despite having only 2,000 miles on them; the left rear tire blew out on Highway 335, near Topeka, KS.

Fortunately, the trailer didn’t flip over, and the car stayed tight. However, pieces of the trailer’s fender flew into the beautifully restored Packard.

DAMAGE: The following items had to be repaired or replaced: various door, rocker and wheel opening moldings, door handle, door glass and a taillight. In addition, the left door and left quarter panel had to be repainted. Total cost was $1,386.63.

CAUSE: The cause of the blowout remains unknown; It could have been anything from a defective belt in the tire, to a slow leak, to a road hazard that caused a puncture.

While there is no way to totally safeguard against the unknown, developing good habits like checking the air in your trailer tires at every gas stop as well as making a visual inspection can help. Further, a double-axle trailer will always provide a greater margin of safety than a single one.

Links:
1. Packard Motor Car

Article Comments

As mentioned earlier....AGE of tires, not just number of miles on them is equally important. A 10 year old tire with less than 2,000 miles is a real hazard. No visible cracking will show, but they are shot.

The article was good but limited. But it sure did get everyone else talking. Everyone, sort of, finished off what the article started. Glad there is a space for comments.

#5 Because you are towing a load, and most likely with a big truck, you have a responsibility to drive safely. Give yourself an advantage by keeping some distance between you and the car in front of you. This alone will keep you out of most trailer accidents, and you will find that you become less frustrated while driving. George

Reminds me of a friend that transported his vehicle for the first time with a car cover attached. Sand collected under the cover as he drove down the highway and when he arrived at the show he discoverd scratches all over his newly painted Mustang. He said it looked like someone took sandpaper to the finish; he had to have it completely repainted.

Based on the article title I was hoping to learn what to do and what not to do when trailing a vehicle. The article basically said the driver used the recommend dual axle trailer and that was about it. This article could have covered a whole lot more.

I rented a U-haul trailer to haul behind my F-150 and transport my AMC Hornet from Maine to Minnesota and had an interesting trip. We hit a rain storm in western Massachusetts and noticed the trailer fishtailing alot. When we stopped we noticed the rented trailer had three bald tires and a nail in the fourth. I guess I should have checked them before hand, but assumed they were ok. Thankfully nothing else happened and U-haul replaced the tires the next day.

always great to learn from others. Thanks for the Info Hagerty. XK 140

Your leader of how to prevent this type of accident is very misleading -- one can only take reasonable precautions and care against it -- glad to hear that damage to the car was minimal and there were no personal injuries. Bill Strickland

Some problems have been developing due to the AGE of the tire, not mileage. Also problems with "overseas" tires.

expected more than common sense information.

good info

Why is this the wrong way to transport a car. Sounds like the owner did everything right and suffered some bad luck. That's why we buy that wonderful insurance.

I was of the opinion that a car hauler trailer, in all common sense, have 2 axles and equipped with brakes on both. A good idea is also to have wind dam that extends across the front and at least half way back to the rear. Thanks for this e-mail, Dick Paul

Good article. However, I feel you missed the most important advice regarding tires - whether on a trailer or the tow vehicle. First, always check the air pressure "COLD" before starting out each morning while on the road especially for extended travel. Check the tire inflation numbers on the tire side wall or elsewhere in or on the vehicle/trailer. Second, check the tires for side wall cracks. Tiny cracks can and will lead to tire failure. Third, know how old the tires are - check the manufacture date as stamped on the tire side wall. Tires, like other auto parts, have a tendency to wear out with age. Older tires, even with a good amount of tread remaining, can be a problem. Finally, check the weight rating of the tires. Make sure they are sufficient to carry the weight of your load. Now you know even more about tires. Thanks. Tom Axtmann taxtmann@cox.net

I'm amazed how many tow without trailer brakes. The tow vehicle isn't designed to stop your collecter car too.

Reminds me of when a LR tire blew out on our '59XK150 FHC Jaguar while driving it; the tube grabbed a fender support bar and pulled inward the rear fender panel behind the blown tire. How long are tubed tires good for when driven to driven class events and locally?

Thanks for the heads up. You can check everything and its always something. Good thing she stayed tied down. I had a Firestone 500 recall blowout and it disintagrated truck rear axle with no warning. Tore the fender to heck and the loose belt beat everything up but it could have been much worse at speed. Maybe I should replace all four of the trailer tires. Always something.

SHOULD NAVE DISCUSSED THE HITCH ISSUES, LOAD FISHTAILING, LIGHTS , INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCE, A LOT MORE TO TRAILERING THAN TIRES AND DUAL AXLES.