Towing a minor?

Post by **coogee** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:11 am

Where is the best place to tow a Morris traveller?

The last owner of my Morris had towed it from the tie plate (engine bay floor) and ripped one the holes out.

Thanks
Philip

Post by **jamesmorrisminorfan** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:03 pm

you'd be much safer getting someone with a drive-on trailer if you're moving your car. Failing that, hire a flat bed. it might be cheaper thatn the repair work should it all go wrong

Post by **coogee** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:45 pm

Thanks for the information.
My car is on the road but I just wanted to know if ever I did break down I would know where to tow the car.

Post by **Onne** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:57 pm

I would say the bottom arms are quite a strong point.

Most breakdown companies will not tow classics though (and that is a good thing!)

Post by **Welung666** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 2:46 pm

I know that the AA and RAC will NOT tow a classic due to the lack of sensible towing points, they tend to spec lift them if they cannot repair them on the roadside.

Post by **simmitc** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:36 pm

Standard practice always used to be to take the rope round the tie bar where it joins the chassis leg. If you take one rope from each side to form a bridle and then a single line to the towing vehicle you (a) get a central pull and (b) pass safely either side of the front number plate.

If you carry a few basic spares and tools it's extremely unlikely that you will ever need a tow as the cars are VERY reliable when looked after properly.

Post by **bigginger** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:39 pm

I wonder (again) why the towing points of the LCV were never added to the saloon. Very odd

Post by **M25VAN** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:43 pm

When I had a tow a while back from the AA the chap fitted one of those solomatic A frame units to the lower suspension arms. It just hooked over and was secured in place by those lorry type ratchet straps. He didn't like the look of the towing eye though.....

Post by **bigginger** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 7:06 pm

But they're very strong

I've even towed (short distance, and NOT on the road) a pick-up with virtually no chassis left using them...

Post by **Onne** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 8:36 pm

My MM has two towing eyes at the back....

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:02 pm

I think they ^^^^ are meant to be lashing -down points, not so much for towing.

Post by **Onne** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:34 am

I know

Do the home models have them as well?

Post by **steve4063** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 8:29 am

when i used my A frame a while back to collect my 1970 traveller i tried it on the steering arms, because someone advised it!!!!!!!!!!

bad move it banged and dragged the car round corners

needless to say i got about 2 miles and thought NOOOO

so i moved the frame anto the what i think was the suspension arms.

the big thicker ones behind the steering
it worked brill and i managed to tow it nearly 200 miles and was very safe and comfortably travelled at 70+

i do have a proper a frame tho with metal chains and havbe used one before but a long time ago and on a modern car.

I used to use a dolly but the trouble with them was the wheel base is too wide for most classics the moggie JUST fit but with very little play.
it would have been easier if i'd have welded a bit on and made it narrower.

do not try to tow an anglia with an A frame tho as it doesn't work and wrecks the car (i learnt that from experience)

Post by **docgibbons** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 4:27 pm

i towed my mate's morris with my morris, about 35 years ago, and we flew home (bar a couple of broken ropes) from around 30 miles away. got her up to sixty once, downhill. but i can't for the life of me remember where we hitched up the rope. not much use, i realise, but we made it without anything falling off.