A few weeks from now, I'll be placing my 1985 300CD on a trailer and hauling it about 1,000 miles. For two nights, I'll have the trailer hooked to a van and parked at motels.

To prevent windshield damage from debris, I'm thinking about placing a tarp(s) over the vehicle.
Question: If I did this, will just any inexpensive tarp do, say, from Harbor Freight, or should I use something specific?

A friend pointed out that the car is a beautiful classic and to prevent theft, I should consider tarps to cover it completely. Thoughts? As a security measure, I'm also thinking about removing the battery so the car can't be started.

Finally and to deter theft, I'm also considering a thick chain and heavy duty lock to secure the car to the trailer.

If anyone has experiences with something like this or suggestions, I'd appreciate reading your comments.

Thank you.

Not a good idea to place a tarp or even a car cover on the car while towing down the highway. The tarp or car cover will vibrate so much that it could scratch or even wear down the paint on the car. It is OK to cover the car while parked but I would not recommend a tarp but rather a car cover. Remove the negative post of the battery. No need to remove the battery completely. Chaining the car to the trailer is a good idea. Try to park in a well lighted area. Good idea to lock the trailer hitch preventing someone from disconnecting the trailer from your tow vehicle. Most trailer hitch mechanisms provide a way to lock the hitch.

Tarp could damage paint. If you notice new cars are delivered with a plastic blue or black stick on product. It might be good for protection. You might get some from a new car dealer for the asking. Check if it will stick on for a second time. It probably would. Even on new cars I was trying to remember if the windshield was protected for transit.


If a tarp flaps I suspect paint damage might occur. I have no experience so just my thoughts. Maybe covered with soft blankets and then the tarp. Others members will know more.

You might try a car cover. A tarp flapping around in the wind will most likely mess up your paint. The car cover might as well. 60 mph wind all day on a tarp or anything is enough to remove some paint. It does not seem like there is any more likelihood of it being stolen when on the trailer, besides the fact that you wont easily be able to park it in front of your motel room. The chain should do If your worried.

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Chris
84 280sl
82 300d euro

What kind of van are you using? Many times it is simpler to drive the whole rig away than to take a car off the trailer so be sure to disable the van / lock trailer to van. ( If you have a removable hitch be sure to lock that also. )

Tarp or car cover is a bad idea, the flapping in the wind will damage paint. Building a shield on the front of trailer with OSB and 2 x 4 s would work much better.

Gulp. Dare I say? U-Haul, 15'. First ever in my life. Why? I live about 250 miles away from any city over 25,000 inhabitants. U-Haul seems to be my only option.

Great point that I hadn't though of.

Yes, my intention is to use a high caliber lock (see attached picture) plus a heavy chain to secure the trailer to the van.

Attached Thumbnails

   

Is there ever debris on the road when driving the car, or only when the car is on a trailer?

Get a good HIGH QUALITY thick outdoor car cover from cover craft, tie down the car cover with as many ropes as possible so that the cover does NOT move from wind.

You want a snug fit like a glove, then throw on the tarp top for added protection, make sure the tarp is snug too.

The tarp by itself will RUIN the paint because of how abrasive it is.

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1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Ive trailered W123 cars on flatbed Uhaul trailers more than once. No damage to speak of.

First time for everything I guess, but no way Id have something that will flap around and will scratch paint on there...

Euro vehicles come wrapped sometimes, but it is shrinkwrapped...

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

You are better off leaving it dirty. Dirt will do less damage than any kind of cover rubbing against it. The amount of downforce on a car at 70mph with a cover on it will cause rubbing.

Also, you can still start a diesel without a battery. Just need a good run.

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'80 300SD - '83 240D - '00 E55 AMG - '02 G500

Big mud flaps on the tow van so it doesn’t kick debris onto the trailer.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

No cover it is.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

This company is featured on the Mercedes Benz Club of America website. There are others in the business but I imagine if you calculate:

1. The cost of rental of the U-haul
2. The cost of gasoline for the trip.
3. Cost of motels and food

then compare that to what a car transport company will charge you to transport your baby, I would bet you are money and headaches ahead by going with a company like passport transport.....


https://www.passporttransport.com/


Remember, there is the COST, and then there is the PRICE.

Plus, knowing a professional auto transport company has taken responsibility for your baby will allow you to sleep at night. Priceless.

If you do choose to tow it, by all means, pay a little more for a decent hotel with good lighting.....


also ask the hotel if they have night security patrols......you can call from home to find out if the hotel has them.....