360 trailering

I have to pick up my 360 on a 14 ft open trailer...any input on how to tie it down or load it on safley?

 

Normally you would drive it onto the trailer forwards but I found that with the engine toward the rear I had to back it on to get the proper tongue weight. As for tieing it down I went through the wheels with longer axle straps and tied it down that way. Put a rag between the staps and the wheels though.

 

As mentioned above, the car should be loaded backwards onto the trailer. This appears to be more important with the 360 than it was with my prior Mondial T. The engine weight should be just forward of the trailer axles so that the trailer tongue has enough weight to remain loaded while driving. If you have a scale there are actually some specific tongue weight recommendations on some of the trailering websites.

However, I will also add that I find it very difficult to back my 360 into the trailer, especially with the F1. The car is wider, and the F1 slips easily on the trailer incline in reverse. When loading without help, I've resorted to driving forwards but pulling it much further up in my 24ft trailer. I don't know how much room you'll have to play with this in a 14ft trailer (my impression is that it is a very tight fit). When I load it forwards, I tow rather slowly as the trailer does sway more.

As for strapping it down, it is best (highly recommended) that you criss-cross the straps so that the car is held laterally as well as longitudinally. As with the previous poster, I loop my straps thru the wheels. In a pinch you could go over the underbody wing, but I normally stay away from this.

BTW, put the transmission in Neutral ... you don't want to be banging against the gears and syncros as you drive.

You didn't mention what type of trailer you are using, but if the ramp is short or the trailer is high, you'll need to have longer ramps to avoid scraping.


Lou

 

Interesting points about the weight balance.

I never gave it much thought after hualing around front engined vettes...now with the 308 and esprit I might have to reconsider.

Also interesting about having the car in neutral too...

I usually do the cross over off the lower A-arms

 

I do this all the time. Rear weight cars should go tail first on trailer. I use a winch to make it easy. It is a pain to back your car in. If you back your car in get it part way up and get out and look. Do not rely on your neighbors help unless you like bodyshops. Do not use the criss cross strap tie down because the purpose of these straps to to act in tension. If you cross them the straps do not work until they are basically straight. This is bad physics. Strap down 4 corners straight to the trailer floor anchors either through wheels or around A-arms with the straps going on the large part of the a-arm by the hub. DO NOT strap throguh the a-arm you can bend it. ALWAYS trailer out of gear in neutral. Parking brake is O.K.. The best is to strap the car in for security but lock the car down in one place with wheel chocks on one corner see my picture. Wheel chocks absoultely lock the car in one position and prevent loading and unloading of straps as the car trys to rock back and forth. This reduces wear on your straps and leaves them for when you really need them to retain the car. Racerpartswholesale.com or Awdirect.com has the stuff you need for tie down. You can trailer the 360 nose first but then you get more sway in the trailer so then just drive slower. Heavier tongue weight makes the trailer track better at higher speeds. Towing is always better if the load is level. So either use a load leveling hitch or a truck like the 2500 suburbans which have automatic load leveling suspensions so you can just use a standard ball hitch. If you are doing a Uhaul with crapply surge brakes and short ramps the 360 cannot get up vs a good electronic brake system and double length ranmps consider just spending the extra money and having a pro flat bed the 360 to you. Ferraris have very bad departure angles you need long ramps and or lots of 2x6's. My ramps total 12ft on a mildly lowered 348 and I just barely make it
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I just purchased a 20' enclosed trailer for my Gallardo and 360 hauling needs. I installed E-Track across the floors of the trailer.

My plan is to run straps over each of the tires to secure the car. I will also use the wheels chocks. Would my plan for securing the cars work?

 

That should work well. That tie down system makes it much easier to get the car in the right spot. Make sure the wheel chocks are secured. I had one come loose and knock the bottom outlet off the radiator on my hot rod.

 

Traknut,


I think you may discover that you're a bit tight for space on a 14 ft trailer since the 360 is 176.3 inches long, and especially if the ramps are hinged upwards on the end of the trailer.