05-13-2024, 12:17 AM | #1 |
Drives: 2021 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 827
|
Need some help rigging up Curt cargo carrier for track wheels
Hey track rats that have seen/used the Curt cargo carrier to transport their track wheels. I've installed my hitch receiver and have my new Curt cargo carrier to transport two of my track wheels, but have a couple of newbie questions that need your help:
1) In previously posted picks from other forum members, I've seen that wheel chocks tend to get mounted against the trailing edge of the carrier (most rearward and opposite the cargo carrier shank/receiver). Is there a specific reason why? Is it just as acceptable to mount them on the leading edge of the cargo carrier (ahead of the wheels and closer the Camaro bumper)? 2) The hex bolt provided with the carrier to secure the carrier shank into the hitch receiver tube is very long; so much so that if I thread it in all the way so that the lock washer (just behind bolt head)prevents the bolt from spinning, the non-treaded end of the bolt that has the cotter pin protrudes pretty far (about 1.5 inches) past the exit hole in the receiver tube. Is this the normal desired set up? Would using a shorter bolt threaded all the way with a lock washer/nut instead of a cotter pin be a better solution? 3) When securing the wheels, on the cargo carrier, I've seen pics showing the two wheels side by side with the wheel faces toward each other at the interface (facing toward the center of the carrier) rather than having the wheel faces opposed (facing toward the outside left/right edges of the carrier). Is there a specific reason for this? |
05-13-2024, 07:01 PM | #2 | |
Drives: broken Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: DC
Posts: 190
|
Quote:
__________________
clyde
Team WTF?! what are you gonna do? :dunno: |
|
05-15-2024, 11:48 PM | #3 |
Drives: 2021 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 827
|
Thanks Clyde for the thoughts on #3; makes sense. I'll be using the rack for the first trip next week.
I could still use help (Matt? James? others?) on #1 and #2, so please reply soon if you see this. |
05-19-2024, 06:54 AM | #4 |
Drives: Chevrolet SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: St. Charles, MO
Posts: 1,451
|
Sorry for the late reply! Too much non-car-related drama in my life these days.
__________________
Matt Miller
2020 SS 1LE |
05-19-2024, 01:53 PM | #5 |
Drives: 2021 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 827
|
Thanks for the reply Matt. That makes me feel better about the hitch pin.
As to the wheel chock placement, a friend of mine (was just able to ask him) said having the chocks on the back edge (as others have been doing, might help shift the tires closer to the hitch receiver, which will help reduce tongue weight. Also would place less stress on the tie down straps during acceleration. Downsides are that 1) it will shift stress to tie-down straps during braking and 2) It may allow tires to rub/bump against the rear bumper when braking and/or hitting bumps. I'm going to do a bit of exploring with this this afternoon. I have 2 additional wheel chocks so will also check if there is room to use all 4 at that same (in front and behind each of the 2 wheels). I'll report back what I find. Did you ever find a solution for a trunk strap cantilever that didn't require making holes in the trunk or having the strap rub against it? |
05-19-2024, 04:30 PM | #6 |
Drives: 2018 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Front Range, CO
Posts: 1,900
|
It would require some minor modification to do this with the Curt tray carrier, but I lay the wheels horizontally on my old bike rack, use a cargo strap to secure them and another strap that goes around both wheels and the rack.
__________________
|
05-19-2024, 05:17 PM | #7 |
Drives: Chevrolet SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: St. Charles, MO
Posts: 1,451
|
I have an idea, but the same drama that made me late to reply to you has derailed almost all of my car plans this spring and early summer. Trying to get back on the ball now.
__________________
Matt Miller
2020 SS 1LE |
05-19-2024, 05:30 PM | #8 | |
Drives: 2018 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Front Range, CO
Posts: 1,900
|
Quote:
I missed today's autox due to long covid issues.
__________________
|
|
05-19-2024, 07:16 PM | #9 |
Drives: Chevrolet SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: St. Charles, MO
Posts: 1,451
|
Things are coming around, thanks! My brother had long COVID and it has made anything I've been going seem like child's play. I hope you are on the mend.
__________________
Matt Miller
2020 SS 1LE |
05-19-2024, 10:54 PM | #10 | |
Drives: 2SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: AK
Posts: 2,313
|
Quote:
I just transported my two rear tires on my cargo rack today, 2.5hr drive to the venue, 2.5hr drive back. Chocks don't seem to be necessary IMO. I'm using 3 straps through the wheels, passing through like the upper forward half, strapping that to the rear tie-downs on the rack, passing through the upper rear half, strapping that to the forward tie-downs on the rack. Currently using two straps to tie the wheels together, but I think I'm going to move to 3 for that, no issues, I just want it tight. Even if these work a little loose, there's hardly any play in the wheels themselves and they won't move forward or aft more than about half an inch. Wheel chocks just don't seen necessary to me at this point. Rack pic is from last time, which was my "test", that one was driving about 45 min. I've revised my straps a little, putting both "through" red ones opposite of the yellow and using the closer attachment for the yellow, since it's a stronger strap. Then I'm putting the "tie" straps that tie the wheels together at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. But this hopefully gives you the idea. I stopped today on the way out after about an hour just to check for piece of mind. The worst part of all of this is I can't see ANYTHING in the rear view mirrors or window, not unless I stop and put it in reverse...but so far it seems to be working great and people at AutoX are telling me they want to do something similar after seeing it.
__________________
Everything happens for a reason, except when it doesn't, but even then, you can, in hindsight, fabricate a reason that satisfies your belief system.
2018 2SS 1LE 2023 Colorado ZR2 2022 Stinger GT-line AWD |
|
06-02-2024, 01:47 PM | #11 |
Drives: 2021 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 827
|
Hi all. Wanted to thank everyone who provided helpful advice. The long trip from NC to Watkins and back was successful carrying the two extra wheels on the cargo rack.
The only problem I had was ground clearance going over pitch changes (crown in the road surface) at intersections. With the back seat and trunk loaded up (2 tires and various other tools/clothes, etc) the receiver sits low to the ground and the added anti-rattle clamp device tended to scrape the ground at these points. We ended up turning it upside down so the bolts for the anti-rattle plate pointed up and clearance was increased. This minimized the number of scrapes. Keeping the 2 wheels stable on the cargo carrier using the ratchet straps and bungee cords was easy. Just check that the ratchet straps remain taut and occasionally adding another "click" of tightness (usually only to 1 side) at the first few checks was all that was required. |
06-02-2024, 10:36 PM | #12 |
Drives: 2SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: AK
Posts: 2,313
|
Here's how I set it up today and for the last two events. It looks close, but it really isn't, and it doesn't move forward:
__________________
Everything happens for a reason, except when it doesn't, but even then, you can, in hindsight, fabricate a reason that satisfies your belief system.
2018 2SS 1LE 2023 Colorado ZR2 2022 Stinger GT-line AWD |
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|