Suggestions for transporting a hardtop
 

I’m going to be transporting an oem hardtop about 450 miles. I plan to rent a 5’ x 8’ U-Haul trailer but am not sure the best way to secure it inside the trailer. I was thinking of getting a full-size air mattress as it’s just about the same width as the trailer and the hardtop. But I would have to put the hardtop upside down on its roof. I think as long as I can secure it properly so it’s not wobbling around, this might be the best way to go. Any suggestions of advice?

I'm too paranoid. I'd say the best way to transport it would be on the s2000 itself if at all possible.

If not, then your idea sounds good but I would tie it down on all 4 sides and place it inside the hardtop cover or similar material. If you don't, even slight movement and imperfections in the road will scratch the top against the debris on the mattress (or the mattress texture itself).

Be sure it's secure so it won't slide off the mattress and make sure that when it rubs on the mattress (and it will), it can't scratch the hardtop. I would also wrap the edges in case it gets loose and bangs against the side of the trailer.

Just rent a full size van and bring lots of movers pads.

Should fit just fine in a 4x8 foot trailer cocooned in U-haul padded blankets which you can rent when you rent the trailer. An air mattresses sounds like a bad idea to me as the roof will be bouncing around on it the entire trip. Padded blankets will absorb all those shocks.

Of course it'll fit just fine on the car too assuming you have all the brackets, etc., needed for it.

One-way trailer rental is inexpensive, something I found out when I pulled a Uhaul trailer back to the original yard sucking fuel all the way! ;)

-- Chuck

I would definitely not transport it upside down. My suggestion would be to drill two holes in a 2X4 and place the mounting pins snugly in them. Then put blankets on the floor to protect the area under the rear window. Take a box with a pillow on top and put it under the front, taking some of the load and shock off the pins as you encounter bumps in the road. Then drape a blanket over the top, cardboard over that, and strap it down so it doesn't bounce.

You could do some variation of this with other materials and fabrics but you get the idea.

You can do what I did and improvise ...drove from Miami to orlando 80mph and it worked perfect. Even opened the sunroof to help keep the wind up and over the hardtop. http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...E3F6EF0022.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...E3FBF3A867.jpg

^^^
Dear God...I think I just had a heart attack! Glad you made it safely.

I bought gym mats from Lowe's, they look like gray puzzle pieces. I would put those down at the points of contact inside one of the smaller Uhaul trucks. But the other guy is right, the best way to transport is on an S2000, especially since Honda stopped making them, they go for $3500-5000, and there is a finite supply out there.

They actually fit quite nicely, right side up, in the back of a pickup truck with some moving pads/mats and straps. The wheel wells in the pickup bed can be used to support the upper part of the hard top. Mine fit perfectly in the back of my Tacoma, for a 600 mile trip w/o a scratch. Easy.

Thanks for all the input! Hardtop is back home safe and sound. I ended up killing two birds with one stone and put together the DIY hardtop stand that is discussed in a separate thread. I covered the top in multiple packing blankets and then secured the hardtop to the stand. From there I secured everything inside the U-Haul trailer with straps (had to rent the 5 x 8 trailer). It was a 450 mile drive and I was sweating every bump but it made it back without any issues. Now I just have to install it!