Transporting a Starion Safely via Trailer! Advise?

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Bruzman
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Transporting a Starion Safely via Trailer! Advise?

Post by Bruzman »

Overview:

Soon I will be transporting a JA STARION from Sydney to Port Macquarie via the Pacific Highway. The trip usually takes around 5-6 hours depending on where in Sydney I need to go.
I am transporting the Vehicle via a Car Trailer. I have towed trailers before, but never a Loaded Car Trailer.
I am using my mothers 1998 Ford Falcon Wagon with the 4.0L straight 6. It doesn't have a brake booster or anything like that, so the trip back will be slow and take longer because I want to take it easy.

My Concern:

I havn't tied down a Car before. This car isn't going to be easy either. It doesn't have any Shocks and the wheels are scarping the guards. It roles with great effort!
Due to not having shocks tho, I feel it may be dangerous to transport if not tied down correctly.

Answers I Seek:

What will be the best way to tie it down safely?
How fast could/should I be capable of going without taking much risk?


(Please include detailed descriptions/diagrams as I DON'T WANT TO KILL MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE)
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OLD FART
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Post by OLD FART »

Questions

1 is the tow car rated to tow the combined total weight of car & trailer ?
2 is tow bar rated for the total """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ?
3 does the trailer have a braking system ?

I tie my JB with 4 ratchet straps thru the mag wheels 2 front & 2 rear so car is restrained from any movement either way.
Depending on the trailer and tow car if it tows without sway the speed limit should be ok BUT stay well back from whatever is in front of you and look further ahead to see potential problems and check mirrors often.
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Bruzman
I like starions
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Post by Bruzman »

OLD FART wrote:Questions

1 is the tow car rated to tow the combined total weight of car & trailer ?
2 is tow bar rated for the total """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ?
3 does the trailer have a braking system ?
I know the trailor weights 950kgs. the JA starion would be around 1200, sooo 2150 kgs in total..

I have no idea if the trailer has a braking system or what the tow bar is rated :/ but the owner of the trailer believes the ford should pull it fine..
OLD FART wrote:I tie my JB with 4 ratchet straps thru the mag wheels 2 front & 2 rear so car is restrained from any movement either way.
Depending on the trailer and tow car if it tows without sway the speed limit should be ok BUT stay well back from whatever is in front of you and look further ahead to see potential problems and check mirrors often.
I'll be taking it very very safe! even if the 5 hour trip turns into a 7 hour trip. :)
1320ft wrote:Seeing as the car has no shocks, I would tie it down like we do the race cars.

All four wheels individualy & each of the tow points, so the body doesn't move.
Thats probably the best idea.. I am picking up the ties and ropes tonight.. I hope this goes smoothly lol
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Superscan
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Post by Superscan »

Towed a GN sigma from Melbourne to Sydney with my 2.6L GN Sigma wagon.

Trailer was 700KG, car was 1200KG, and the back of my wagon had 3 gearboxes and a 2.6L engine in it.

As OLD FART said, leave plenty of room between you and the car in front and I'd recommend no faster than 80k.
Also, try to do it late at night during the week to avoid the majority of traffic.

I had a MAJOR MOMENT, towing the wagon up hill at 100kph, when a severe gust of wind pushed the trailer sideways enough to start a major sway.

Being thrown across a 3 lane highway 5 times, literally less than a meter between the guard rail and the cheese grater wires each time, made me slow down to 70kph for the rest of the trip. There are dents in both sides of the rear bumper where the trailer hit it.

If you can, get a heavier vehicle, if not, drive slow.

Cheers.
groupAralliart
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Post by groupAralliart »

Also keep the weight over draw bar so load with engine to front
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Vulpes
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Post by Vulpes »

Loaded the boys tonight, they left here at about 8.30 pm, I hope they have a safe trip home. Should be ok they seemed very sensible.
Bruzman
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Post by Bruzman »

Vulpes wrote:Loaded the boys tonight, they left here at about 8.30 pm, I hope they have a safe trip home. Should be ok they seemed very sensible.
Thanks to Vulpes helping us load it up, we just got home now at 4:15am... long drive, but we took it easy! didn't go over 80 the whole 7 hours drive back haha
enthuzed wrote: The falcon will tow it fine, though it's a heavy trailer. As for stopping...
You want to find out if the trailer has brakes. No brakes on a trailer that heavy behind that car = illegal dude.
Also, I found out it had brakes on the trailer when I picked it up! So happy it did tho lol

MASSIVE THANK YOU TO VULPES!!! without his gifts, my starion journey would of ended very quickly! hopefully I'll my JA back on the road with new parts in no time :D :beer
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Vulpes
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Post by Vulpes »

Your welcome mate, I am really glad you all got home safely.
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