Towing a Minor

[wilfred]

Have seen a non-runner for sale and am thinking about bringing it home with one of those A-Frame devices which attach to the towed vehicle allowing it to be solo towed.
Am aware of the regulations regarding having to make sure its not powered to the wheels,etc, so it becomes a trailer, as per an interesting post on this forum not long ago.

My question is has anyone towed a Minor with one of these devices, is it compatible with the minor suspension set-up?

[MarkyB]

I doubt the suspension would be an issue, the relative weights of the vehicles might be.
How far does it need to be towed?

[wilfred]

About 25 miles by Volvo 240 estate, Volvo weighs about 1750kg.

[simmitc]

Many years ago I towed a 2-door saloon on an A-frame from Wales to Essex, no problems at all. Used it on several shorter journeys for similar work. The best advice is to take your time and ensure that it is fitted properly. Comments relating to vehicle weight also important.

[mike.perry]

A friend has a towing frame which lifts the front wheels clear of the road. He regularly uses it to tow his Minor to and from repairs

[morris van]

I belong to the MG Owners Club as I have also got a MG and someone in club the towed his MG on a trailer which was on a SORN to a car restorer and got fined as a camera picked it up and thought it was being driven on the road and someone said he should have covered or removed the cars number plates.

[beero]

Good point re SORN.
If it is a nonrunner assuming no tax or MOT it shouldn't be on the road so towing would be a no-no.
I think you may be better hiring a trailer and covering it with a tarpaulin.

[lambrettalad]

I always put an "on tow" (and a towing set of lights )over the number plate of the towed motor,never ,touch wood,been stopped by Mr Plod

[wilfred]

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=40616

Based on the above subject "where do you tie a tow rope? " I'm lead to believe that if the propshaft is disconnected from the towed vehicle and not inside it or the tow car, then the towed vehicle is classed as a trailer so would just need a trailer board and not need to comply with m.o.t, etc. That was my understanding anyway. I was thinking the A-frame would be less hassle than hiring a trailer as my access road not quite crowded.
Would be interested on others opinions after reading the aforementioned post

[a8pte]

i own a a frame and i towed my morris all the way from oxford to swansea in wales on the motorway when i bought it last year as long as you fit trailer board on the morris you are towing and you have lights etc you should have no problem.two police cars over took me as well.

[customjob]

If using an A frame to tow a vehicle and the towed vehicle has no means of self propulsion then the towed vehicle becomes classed as a trailer. As with anything being towed it must show the V R M Vehicle Registration Mark of the vehicle doing the towing and must show rear lights operated by the towing vehicle, as in a caravan. The use of
ON TOW signs are not needed as technicaly you are towing a trailer. Anybody that tows and doesn't show the
V R M of the towing vehicle is breaking the law and should be delt with accordingly. In relation to the comment as to Sorn as i just said cover up the V R M on the towed vehicle and display the V R M of the towing vehicle thus it becomes one unit covered by Insurance MoT (If required) and V E D (TAX). A Volvo 240 estate wont have any problems in being over axle or kerb weight from towing a Minor. An A frame is not like a caravan where it puts it's unsupported weight onto the rear of the car. The rear of the car is only supporting the weight of the A frame and the weight of the Minor is self supporting on it's own wheels.

[IaininTenbury]

I've used one for years, and legalities aside, I consider it to be the easiest and safest way of moving another car. The Minor follows in your tracks perfectly. Its no wider than the tow vehicle, (unlike a trailer), theres no significant weight on the tow ball, and no issues with snaking.
Many years ago I once towed a Minor van to a Minor national with another Minor van, which went fine, though not reccomended! And fruthest tow was probably the Marina pickup back from Norfolk.

As far as I understand the legalities, without a lighting board and tow vehicle registration, it is legal for recovering a broken sown vehicle only, so the towed car has to be taxed tested and insured and presumably with a fault that requires it to be towed, (if you're stopped and asked).
With a trailer board and registration, its effectively a trailer, so you're into the realms of what unbraked trailer you can tow with your tow vehicle.
In reality, I've never been stopped or had an issue (even when a wheel fell off a towee. I wondered what the distant tinkling noise was and decide to stop and check... )
When towing the Minor van with a Minor van, I was approaching a long hill near Oldham so was building up a bit of speed to take a run at it and a police car pulled out in front of me accelerating quite gently. I either had to brake heavily and tuck in behind, or go for it and overtake! I chose the overtaking option, and the cops presumably decide it wasn't worth the paperwork! I always wondered what the conversation was inside the police car when two Minor vans charged past in very close formation....
(Disclaimer! that was nearly 20 years ago when I was younger and sillier and I certainly wouldn't recomend or do that myself now. (I would have tucked in behind them.... )