![]() |
|
![]() |
#1 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 33
|
Soft top on highway?
Hey guys, I'm about to trailer up my '70 K5 and pull it about 450 miles out to West Texas for Memorial Day weekend and I'm a little curious about how people normally prepare (if at all) their Blazers for towing when they have a soft top. I've never driven the truck faster than about 60mph and only for a short distance and so my concern is whether or not the softopper top will stretch out or if I run the risk of the snaps along the header all coming loose or something. I thought I could maybe just temporarily put a strip of duct tape across the header in true redneck fashion to keep wind from getting under it and I'm not above doing that but I'm sure someone here has more experience than me since I've never trailered it more than a short in-town distance. I have the hard top but don't ever plan on putting that behemoth back on now that the soft top and the South Texas climate has made it irrelevant. I'm towing it on a double axle car hauler with a 2015 Tundra but since that Tundra already gets horrible mileage with no weight being trailered behind it and I'm an overly cautious guy, I'll probably only be going as fast as seems comfortable even though the speed limit is 80mph for basically the entire IH-10 trip. I bet I won't have the cajones to push it over 70mph, if I get past 65... I won't only be contending with the speed generated wind since the area I'm traveling through is subject to really high winds and you never know if they're going to be behind you, in front of you or coming in broadside. Any suggestions for protecting the top from wind damage? Oh yeah and I included a couple of pics of my K5 for good measure since who doesn't like a Blazer pic?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Chatsworth Ga
Posts: 400
|
Re: Soft top on highway?
Did you think about using a quality truck cover over the whole thing? That's what I would do to help protect from rocks and stuff hitting the paint. Kinda expensive for a good one but would be a good investment.
__________________
Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=706924 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: May 2005
Location: Tallahassee Fl
Posts: 773
|
Re: Soft top on highway?
My soft top was built locally, is old, torn and just about wore out, but I have went a couple of hours on the interstate with it up. Never had a snap come loose and never noticed any stretching.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
K5drive
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: burnaby BC Canada
Posts: 809
|
Re: Soft top on highway?
I drive on the hyway all day long at 65 mph and never had a snap release but if your trailering I like the idea of pretecting your paint from renegades stones. But don't think snaps will cause any problems. Nice ride !
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
K5drive
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: burnaby BC Canada
Posts: 809
|
Re: Soft top on highway?
I drive on the hyway all day long at 65 mph and never had a snap release but if your trailering I like the idea of pretecting your paint from renegades stones. But don't think snaps will cause any problems. Nice ride !
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 33
|
Re: Soft top on highway?
chastain90: The thought did cross my mind but unfortunately the next thing to cross it was the cost of a good quality cover. I have a sorta middle-of-the-road cover I keep on it already so I think I'll try that out and if it gets ripped up at the seems or flies off on the highway then I'll have the motivation I need to get a good one haha.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Brigantine NJ
Posts: 820
|
Re: Soft top on highway?
I took mine from the Jersey Shore up to Detroit for the Woodward ave dream cruise last summer on a trailer cruising at around 70-75 and had no problems whatsoever. Enjoy your trip and don't worry about a thing. I would avoid the cover though. I have seen covers flapping in the wind do more damage than a stone chip ever could.
__________________
Jeremy 1969 Blazer 4x4 original cst 1971 Blazer partial 2wd convert 1972 Blazer 4x4 original cst 1970 Blazer 4x4 w/ 2 1/2in lift and 33in tires w/4 wheel camper 1970 4x4 suburban w/ 6in lift and 35in tires 1968 Corvette convertible 1970 Malibu convertible 1959 Brookwood wagon 1972 International Scout ii |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA
Posts: 12,684
|
Re: Soft top on highway?
I think your top will be just fine. None of my snaps have ever come undone driving 70 - 75 mph.
__________________
1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|