Body transport

[BigFlo]

I'd like some quick and cheap ideas for ways to get my body/shell (without suspension) onto a trailer, so I can bring it to the media blaster. This will only be needed to get the body on and off the trailer and won't be used again.

Then all I need is the trailer!
Anyone got any idea on what a 65 Belvedere empty shell might weigh? If there is anyone between Central and Northern NJ that has the time and a trailer, there's gas money and beer involved!

[moparsteve636]

Build some heavy duty casters!Mount them on the frame where the bumpers are attached! I'd use wheels like whats on hand trucks (inflatable type)

[BigFlo]

Looking for approx weight of empty shell on a 65 belvedere - no suspension- no glass - with door shells. I'm guessing around 800-900lbs. Does that sound right?

[67 coronet]

Looking for approx weight of empty shell on a 65 belvedere - no suspension- no glass - with door shells. I'm guessing around 800-900lbs. Does that sound right?

that sounds like a good estimate,maybe 1200 lbs max.never actually thought to weigh a stripped car.

[Cranky]

Not sure of the weight but my 1 ton chain hoist has no problem picking up a bare E body car. I just put a length of square tube under the roof. Let it stick out from the roof a couple of inches and run a chain through it or use hooks. Find the balance point, tie it off and back the trailer under it.

[BigFlo]

67 Coronet & Cranky.....thanks. This is more to see if my SUV is capable of towing this, along with the weight of a trailer.

[roadrunnerman]

Your suv should have know problem towing that.I used my 84 ramcharger to tow my full size dodge van on a u-haul and the van was loaded with 27 tires inside it.Had no problems so you should be okay.

[idrivemopar]

Here is how mine went.

[Dako]

I'm cheap and I like to recycle (re-use) things...

4 saw horses (not the flimsy plastic ones!)
2 long 4x4s
maybe some used pallets

- Place two saw horses parallel to the car shell on each side (they need to be higher than the trailer fenders or rails if equipped).
- Couple guys pick up the back end while somebody places one of the 4x4s across the saw horses at the back of the car shell to support the back end...(place `horses wide enough to back the trailer between).
- Same couple guys now pick up the front end (carefully, as the back end is now up in the air) while somebody places the other 4x4 across the saw horses at the front of the car shell to support the front end...again, placing them wide enough to back a trailer through.
- Carefully(!) back the trailer under the raised car.

- Lift the front end and remove the 4x4, lowering the car shell onto the trailer.
- Lift the back end and remove the 4x4, lowering the rear end.

The reason I stated to lift the rear 1st and lower it last is that it is the heavy end of the car.

The pallets are in the event you wanted the body up off the trailer...say maybe if you are using a metal bed trailer, or if it had railing and you didnt want to drop it all the way down inside (could be harder to pick up).

Using this method you would:
- Spend the least amount of money...2x4s are cheap
- Have a way to remove it at the media shop
- Have a way to store it back at the house
- Have saw horses that could be used for other projects
- Have pallets to store items on...or start a bon-fire for a party
- Have spare 4x4s to do a number of things with.

[MoparBill]

I made mine- the rears are made from using front leaf spring hangers. I welded a piece of 3x3 tube steel in the hangers as a riser, with a plate on the bottom that the 8" air filled casters bolt to.
The fronts are similar except for the mounting- I have a tabe welded to the tube steel with holes drilled in it. The bolts go in where the front bumper bracket bolts to the frame.
These will work great to ship, as well as roll around the garage, and are at a good height to do body work. They are reusable, cheap, and should last a lifetime.

[Cranky]

What kind of SUV do you have? My Durango has no problem pulling my car trailer and a 3400 lb car....318 w/390 gears.

[Cranky]

I'm cheap and I like to recycle (re-use) things...

4 saw horses (not the flimsy plastic ones!)
2 long 4x4s
maybe some used pallets

- Place two saw horses parallel to the car shell on each side (they need to be higher than the trailer fenders or rails if equipped).
- Couple guys pick up the back end while somebody places one of the 4x4s across the saw horses at the back of the car shell to support the back end...(place `horses wide enough to back the trailer between).
- Same couple guys now pick up the front end (carefully, as the back end is now up in the air) while somebody places the other 4x4 across the saw horses at the front of the car shell to support the front end...again, placing them wide enough to back a trailer through.
- Carefully(!) back the trailer under the raised car.

- Lift the front end and remove the 4x4, lowering the car shell onto the trailer.
- Lift the back end and remove the 4x4, lowering the rear end.

The reason I stated to lift the rear 1st and lower it last is that it is the heavy end of the car.

The pallets are in the event you wanted the body up off the trailer...say maybe if you are using a metal bed trailer, or if it had railing and you didnt want to drop it all the way down inside (could be harder to pick up).

Using this method you would:
- Spend the least amount of money...2x4s are cheap
- Have a way to remove it at the media shop
- Have a way to store it back at the house
- Have saw horses that could be used for other projects
- Have pallets to store items on...or start a bon-fire for a party
- Have spare 4x4s to do a number of things with.

You must be young or very strong.....I used to do things like that too but not anymore! My back now lets me know everytime I'm not nice to it lol. An A frame and a chain hoist is cheap tools....save your back if you like to be able to do things when you hit your 60's and older.

[Dako]

"...You must be young or very strong.....I used to do things like that too but not anymore! My back now lets me know everytime I'm not nice to it lol. An A frame and a chain hoist is cheap tools....save your back if you like to be able to do things when you hit your 60's and older..."

Haha. Looks I have 10 more years then! Spent my impressionable years on the farm, then 21 years in Naval Aviation. Several able-bodies can quickly accomplish what may otherwise take time to set up and break down by ones' self. I would love to have an 'A' frame...if I only had the room to store it.

[BigFlo]

What kind of SUV do you have? My Durango has no problem pulling my car trailer and a 3400 lb car....318 w/390 gears.

Cranky,
I have a Toyota Sequoia. I called a local trailer rental company (I don't have my own trailer - no room!) and they only rent monster car trailers that have active brakes and would only rent to someone with a heavy duty pickup. I'm going to look for a different rental place, but it made me think that I should look at the towing capacity of my SUV.....it's my wifes commuter and our family vehicle, and I would never hear the end of it if I took it out of commission!

[roadrunnerman]

I tried to rent a uhaul once using 2-wheel drive p/u to tow one of my cars.They basically said i needed a 4-wheel drive vehicle to tow it even though my p/u has the towing suspension.