Towing with a Traveller

Post by **robinwebb999** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 3:03 pm

Has anyone out there had any experience towing a folding camper/folding caravan/large trailer tent with a Traveller, please?

Clearly a Traveller's age would tell against it, I guess? Would a 1098 engine do it? Would a 1275 replacement engine do it better? Is it an idea for the waste basket?

This is a serious question ... I'd like to go camping with a Traveller but am not sure if it's feasible. Any comments (... or, at least, almost any would be appreciated.

Thanks a lot.

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 3:13 pm

One of my mates tows a small folding caravan behind his van and although he found it OK with a 1098cc hills became a struggle, so he upgraded to a 1275 which he finds far more acceptable.

Post by **Gareth** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 6:58 pm

My workshop manual recommends the maximum towing weight for a Minor (of any bodystyle) is 600kg or thereabouts.

Do a few sums before you set out complete with tent:

A Traveller weighs about 800kg, I believe, and has 45bhp ish. That gives 56bhp/ton
If you tow a trailer weighing 350kg, the total weight of the rig would be 1150kg, thus giving you around 39bhp/ton
If you tow a trailer weighing 600kg, the total weight of the rig would be 1400kg, thus giving you around 32bhp/ton

If you drive sensibly and allow other road users to pass by pulling in when possible it should be quite possible, but the mechanics should really be in good condition.

If you're dead set on doing it, then finding a lightweight trailer tent / folding camper / pop-top caravan would be a starting point - then upgrade the car as you see fit. Better brakes would be an advantage if you're towing a hefty weight, I suppose, but if the original system is in good condition, it shouldn't cause too much problems.

Also - make sure that the towball mountings and the floorpan/rear wing area is sound - you wouldn't want to brake sharply to find your camping equipment come crashing through the rear doors...

Post by **rosiethemorris** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 9:24 pm

My Traveller has a 1275 Midget engine. Two years ago it pulled our trailor tent to the National at Harewood quite happily, positively zipped up the M62 hill which has the highest bit of motorway in the country at its top. Had to be careful coming back though, found myself doing 80 downhill! I would imagine that a 1098 would be ok, so long as you took it easy and that there weren't too many hills.

Paul.

Post by **Alec** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 12:20 pm

Hello Robin,
This is a slant on your question, some years back my wife and I attended the Glastonbury Festival and camped in our Traveller . I installed curtains and an inflatable matress in the back, just enough room with the seats tipped forward.

Alec

Post by **brixtonmorris** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 2:35 pm

ive got experance with this. it works, but watch out going around corners.
http://www.brixtonmorris.co.uk/morris_t ... veller.htm