Trailering mishap

Well, I decided to load the Boxer into a friend's trailer to take it up to the Wine Country Classic vintage races in Sonoma, CA. We have relatives in nearby Vallejo, and he coaxed me to bring the Boxer, but there was no way I was going to beat it up all the way up the dust filled San Joaquin Valley and over 400miles each way, so an enclosed trailer was the only thing I would consider.

My friend"s trailer is old, but well equiped. I spent too many years (in a previous life) pulling a boats around and am all too familiar with what happens to trailers that sit in the sun and get only infrequent use. So I brought the trailer home to inspect the brakes, repack the bearings, and give it a general once over. My only concern was the tires. The tires were only 5 years old, but the trailer sits in the sun all day and sun is a tire killer. I talked with the owner, offered to put new tires on at my expense, but even though I had misgivings, the owner really didn't want me to go to the expense of putting tires on. Even after talking to a tire guy I trust, I decided against my better judgement to leave the tires as is.

Not ever loading or tying down a Boxer before, the morning I was leaving I took the Boxer and the trailer to my mechanic"s shop to have the load supervised and have a few extra sets of experienced hands. He had a guy he uses for transport there to help, and I gotta say I'm glad I had the extra help. Got the Boxer loaded, cinched, and covered. I was ready to hit the road when Larry (mechanic) says, "hey, did you know you have a small chunk of tread missing from one of the trailer tires?"

So it was straight to the truck tire place to put four new tires on the tandem. It was such a relief to new tires on a long trip, I was greatly relieved. In the trailer, the spare was mounted on the inside front right, and it was a very old bias ply tire that probably came with the trailer 30 years ago. So since new tires don't mean you can't get a flat, I had the shop find the best of the old tires and mount it on the spare rim replacing the ancient spare. The tire is mounted on the wall and held on with a nut and lock washer. I was able to unscrew the nut by hand, so I made a mental note to tighten it with a wrench before hitting the road. The trailer and tow vehicle worked flawlessly, and I had a great carefree trip the entire 900 mile round trip. Equipment worked great, but you can't fix stupid.

Since you probably now see where this over detailed account is going, I never did remember to tighten that nut other than hand tight. About 250 miles into the trip, I pulled off the 5 and figured I would gas up, stretch and check on the precious cargo in the back. I opened the trailer, checked the tie downs and even the spare. Everything was secure, I still didn't remember that the nut was only hand tight probably because to was tight to the wall and the nut was completely screwed down.

When I pulled into Vallejo, I was warmly greeted with a beer and a big smile. Otto was dying to see the Boxer in person even though it was now nighttime, so I opened up the trailer. To my horror, the spare was leaning on the front corner. When I moved it, the cover was black and I was afraid of what I would find when I took the cover off. To my great relief, I didn't see any scratches or gouges. I did see what looked like light abrasions, and frankly it looked like something that might be rubbed out. That didn't stop me from a brutal mental flogging for overlooking something so simple and obvious.

The great news is, I had a fabulous trip, the Boxer was a huge hit, I put about 100 glorious miles in the breathtaking spring Sonoma countryside, got the car onto Sears Pointe/Infineon raceway for a few spirited parade laps in between practice sessions on Friday, and no one even have noticed the small imperfection but me. I attached a few pics of being up there as well, just to put the story in perspective. Got some big smiles from giving first rides to a few that had never been in any Ferrari before. The grandson of John Deere (red hat) owns a fine winery and just couldn't get enough of the Boxer. Even scored a beautiful magnum of Syrah awarded from a little impromtu "best of show" competition at the winery.

Today, I finally had a detailer work on the car and I have attached the before and after pics. He has taken care of the car since I got it, and he did another fabulous job to fix my small problem. Most of the problem is gone, and he will get the rest in the next few weeks. It looks like a really boneheaded manuever turned out ok.

I had always heard and come to believe that anytime you transport something long distance, chances are it won't troublefree. Big or small, something can happen, but I am really lucky this didn't turn out ugly.

I am supposed to get pictures of the Boxer on track, so if I get them I will post a follow up. Hope this account helps prevents someone else from having a problem. It is embarrassing to show your a$$ though, lol!
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glad it worked out ok .. I can only imagine that heart in your mouth moment when you first opened the doors of the trailer

 

Dear Ferraristi,

To avoid such mishaps in the future.....drive the car.

I'm glad you had a good time. BUT....I just don't see the logic of driving a truck and a "camper" while a great drive with an exciting car was missed.

....maybe it's me....but I drive my cars.


Shamile

Freeze....Miami Vice !

 

Let me get this straight, you didn't drive your car because you didn't want to get dust on it?
That trailer thing worked out really well, didn't it?

These cars were made to be driven. The more rock chips the better.

 

Maybe this is a sign that you should actually consider enjoying your car instead of worrying about trailer tires and spare trailer tires and properly tying your car down inside a trailer and covering your car inside a trailer and trailering your car a whole 400 miles.

A little bit of dust never hurt anybody...or a car (remember, Ferrari or Fiero, it is just a car)...that's built to be driven.

 

I agree.. Drive the car and stop being so paranoid about what is going to happen if your put some miles on her.. It really is a waste and a shame. Next time let loose and have some trust in the car. You should enjoy her..

Robbie

 

As others have already chided enough, I'll simply agree on the "Drive the silly thing" issue, but with a nod to the practicality of the trailer:
Have it follow (or on standby) as a Chase/Retriever Vehicle. I can't count the number of times I wanted to drop one of the race cars out of the trailer for about 30 minutes in the mountains of (pick almost any multi-elevation state), and these cars are about the closest to that.

My biggest fear is making that call from some of the remote places I drive on those nice days - "Hello, I need a flat-tow sent out to......um......where the hell am I ???" It's the main reason I haven't taken some of those loger road trips.....yet. I'm expanding the radius, skinny alternator belts and other ancient Italian bits be damned.
A trailer following somewhat close behind (attempting, anyway) would be appreciated for any long trips like yours, though.

 

....when? between clutch/gearbox repairs? lol

 

Lighten up guys, drive it 400 miles to the location then drive it more then drive it back another 400 miles? Ever driven a boxer 400 miles in the heat? Where do you keep the luggage for this trip? Ive had enough of mine at the 2 hr mark.

 

LOL - You need to try that here in Texas. Makes you realize that the "Summer Heat" the Mediterranian Latitudes build for is a bit different. This time of year, my drives start at daybreak, or 10a at the latest unless picking up from the Norwood boys. Otherwise, maybe a rare late evening spin.
Even with those early drives of right now, the heat is what most gets me out of the greenhouse, otherwise, I'm pretty happy for 4-5 hours easily. More room than some I've had.

 

in reality trailers do more serious damage than driving a car. The car coming loose banging inside loading issues of scraped spoilers and such improper tying down of suspension parts bending them. Then you have the slow speed you can travel with one. Your detailer is probably wise chickening out cutting down the paint some more to get the scratches fully out cut too much paint you'll see rings or halos in it in the light.

 

8 hours and 512 miles from NYC to Markham, Ontario last July! Two fuel stops and a breakfast stop. 80F and H-U-M-I-D on the way up but with the new A/C I actually froze the evaporator, had to let it "thaw" for 25 mins while my wife & I baked in the car, then restarted with the coldness knob turned to 40%. MUCH better. Dust a' plenty, and torrential rain between Buffalo and Hamilton, CA.

Luggage. Um, let's just say squeezed. My helmet rode between the seats at shoulder level the whole way.

Dave Bendl drove from Chicago, about 530 miles.

 

Are you calling Newman a wuss?

< pokes Newman with a stick >
Hey, Newman, did you hear that?


< grabs popcorn >









I'll behave now.

 

A client has driven his coast to coast 4 times, a couple of them the southern route in summer.

I've driven BB's up the hot central valley in summer weather, LA to SF. Ain't no thing.


Drive it.


Dusty.......sheesh.

 

Yup.

 

LOL, no im just not a tiny little guy that fits comfortably in a car made for little italians, well maybe I am a wuss.....

 

to each his own...

the only time I drive my car is where and when the ride is specifically centered on the car and ride. all my rides are sweet.

driving a classic bb 400 miles down a boring highway 'just' to get from point a to point b is a true waste of the car.

as i've said before - this is why God invented tGM.

these cars are intended to drive around places like lake tahoe.... and not intended to do I-5 with cops all over, just waiting to break their boredom with an f-car ticket.

driving these cars to the local market and leaving them in the parking lot for soccer moms to abuse is downright crimminal.

what a sad waste Enzo's finest.

i'm with wlanast....

rgds,
vincenzo

 

What is the proper way to tie-down a BB/ BBi on a trailer? Are there frame slots for "R-hooks", other attach points or simply use wheel straps? I use a trailer with my track dedicated car and had tie-down loops welded at all 4 corners but it's not a Ferrari. Getting close to buying a BB/BBi and will probably trailer it home. All advice appreciated.

 

Wuss.
+1

 

Every year I look forward to driving the 512TR to Sandestin, Florida in mid-May for a golf/beach vacation with 30 close friends. 6.5 hours each way. I clean off the dust and the love-bugs when I arrive. Drove through 3 hours of rain on the way back. Boring highway 90% of the way, not nearly as comfortable as my Titan truck, packing always an adventure and the ever-present possibility of something breaking, but would I trade it for the back seat of a limo (or hauling a trailer) - no way. With all the time spent loading the trailer and getting new tires, you could have already been in Sonoma sipping a nice Cabernet. For me, the true pleasure of these vehicles in in the driving (41,000 smiles on the odometer so far), and the road chips be damned. Remember when you were 18 and thought nothing of hopping in an old rat-trap VW and heading to Ft. Lauderdale for the weekend? Live the adventure. It will keep you young.

 

I remember the days of slugging out transmissions in my driveway laying in a puddle of transmission fluid. I dont do that anymore nor do I miss it! Adams would be a good judge of whats more comfy, a TR or boxer (my money is on the TR) for any length of time behind the wheel. Fact is my boxer is an oven inside with the windows down, not fun to drive with the windows up and the air on so if I can fry an egg on the driveway, I dont go out in the boxer - 308 is a different story. Now if I was 18 I would in a heartbeat but then again I wouldnt be able to afford such a car.

 

Dear Ferraristi,

Haven't you noticed your panties falling down? I've been driving my Lamborghini and those doors have definitely been up.

Awww Vince, that's so wrong. What's the point of owning the car then? Drive it everyday....like use the fine china and silverware everyday.

GM? Didn't that use to be a car company that made junk?

Ummm....you said it....I just concur.


Shamile

Freeze....Miami Vice !

 

I didnt say it was better just more comfy lol. Hey I think ill go for a drive in my boxer, you going out in your TR or is it still broken?

 

Whatta thread! LoL! You know it's not about duration and lift when panties get into the post....


...or IS IT?!?

 

There are many ways to enjoy Boxers, and to each his own. I can appreciate the comments that say to drive it to the destination, and I was tempted because every mile behind the wheel is exhilarating.

But just as I don't open a first growth Bordeaux with a burger (though the wine would still be incredible) or put ice in my whiskey, I savor my experiences behind the wheel of the Boxer. No rip on doing it differently, just what makes me happy. But I don't just look at the Boxer in the garage and rub it with a diaper. In defense of anyone who thinks I put the car in a bubble, I try to drive it most weekends and to take it on memorable road trips. I am lucky enough to have other cars I enjoy driving as well, and with family there is only so much time.

viva la difference!

While the in original post I pointed out my trailering mistake, I still had an incredible trip! Given the choice of not taking the trip or taking it the way it happened, I would choose taking the trip every day and twice on Sunday.

Below is a pic of one of my favorite copilots (doesn't talk back or tell me how to drive, lol!)

Think I'll stay out of the pantie debate.
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