Location: NYS
Posts: 2,511
My VIN: 4519
I just spoke to my friend; the trailer deck is 20" high, the ramp is 6.5' wide x 4' long. That sounds like it'll be a bit steep...any thoughts on that?
BTW, thanks for all the feedback...
Location: Reedsburg, WI
Posts: 4,026
My VIN: 5180
Club(s): (DMWC) (DCUK)
DENNIS
VIN 5180, Frame 3652, STAGE II, DM-eng Solid State Solutions (RPM Rly, Dm.Lt.Mod., Fan Fail Mod. , FAN Rly, HS.Rly) , HID headlights, SPAX user since 2009, Eibach springs, M Adj. Rear LCA's, DPNW poly-sway bar kit, DMCEU LCA Stabilizer link kit, DMCMW Illuminated door sills, Aussie Illuminated SS Shifter plate, REAL MOMO EVO Steering wheel, DELOREANA Extended View Side Mirrors w/ Heaters, DELOREANA LED Door Lights.
Location: NYS
Posts: 2,511
My VIN: 4519
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif.
Posts: 2,083
My VIN: 0934
Club(s): (NCDMC) (DCUK)
Yes, that's going to be a problem unless you can, as suggested, tilt the deck for loading/unloading and/or drive the car on and off from a higher elevation. I'm assuming that "4' long" is the dimension parallel to the loading/driving direction. The 6.5' ramp width is more than enough.
From p.40 of the Owners Handbook the ramp angles for a stock-height D are 22deg (front) and 27deg (rear).
The 20in. rise to the top of a 4ft/48in ramp length works out to a ramp angle of ~25deg, exceeding the front limit. To stay below a 22deg front ramp angle you need the rear of the deck to be less than 18in higher than the rear of the ramps are.
You also don't want to high-center the car over the rear of the deck halfway up/down during loading/unloading.
Another idea: Longer/additional ramps to decrease the ramp angle for any given deck height. Make sure they can take the load...
With the planning you're doing things will be fine.
Let us know when you take possession and we'll roll out a bigger welcome.
March '81, 5-speed, black interior
Posts: 4,808
My VIN: 3937
2x6's even. If that would give you enough extra room. Get two of them say two feet long or something, and then place them so the trailer ramp comes down on the end of them. Drive up on the opposite end and you'll be a couple inches closer to your allowed loading angle. Similar advice if you can't get a jack under your (lowered) car. Drive up on some wood and then slide the jack underneath.
If it hasn't already been mentioned, make sure there is lots of air pressure in the tires. If the tires are low it will make your angle worse.
Sept. 81, auto, black interior
I just trailered a 1985 Pontiac Fiero on a uhaul "vehicle towing " trailer. Not a tow dolly. I brought it from New Jersey to Long Island. Once on the trailer, even though the car was centered, I couldn't get the drivers door open, even with the fender hinged down. I had to climb out of the window okie the Dukes of Hazard. Couldn't put the window up once out. Thankfully it didn't start raining until I got back to Long Island and got the car off the trailer and the window back up. I've never put a D on a trailer, but I can see it having the same issues, not being able to open the door once up on the trailer. And the D is wider than my fiero.
Just food for thought, it may be worth going to uhaul and doing some measurements first, you can't climb out f a delorean window, unless you are anorexic. Where in NYS are you? Near Long Island?
Lou and "Boo"- The man you love to hate.
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"Boo" VIN 5835
Born October 1981 - Brought back to life December 2011
"Fastest naturally aspirated PRV" Delorean
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"Blue" - 1985 Fiero GT
3800sc series 2
Location: Taylors SC
Posts: 5,326
My VIN: (former)05429
Club(s): (DMWC) (DCUK)
Dave S
DMC Midwest - retired but helping
Greenville SC
Ok, as I said, I've never put a D on a trailer. Just relaying my experience with A different car.
Lou and "Boo"- The man you love to hate.
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"Boo" VIN 5835
Born October 1981 - Brought back to life December 2011
"Fastest naturally aspirated PRV" Delorean
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Blue" - 1985 Fiero GT
3800sc series 2