Morris Minor Owners Club

My plans have been ruined by finding a duff wheel bearing on my trailer that I find is the result of a badly machined stub axle on the suspension unit and thus not repairable.
I was going to use the trailer to drop off a chassis cab on the way to collecting the new chassis from Mull.
Looks like I'm back to hiring a van
The chassis I was taking up is scrap so that could be chopped off behind the cab leaving a smaller length.
Problem is I'm not sure of internal width of a hired Transit so don't know if the cab will fit inside.

Anyone moved / collected etc a LCV cab in the back of a modern SWB Transit van. ?

Thanks.

Paul Humphries.

hiring a trailer might be less hassle than a van?

the internal width of my transit (N reg tho) is aprox 5ft. A lot of hire companies give internal dimensions! I would be very suprised if a cab doesnt fit!

AAAARH.

Just found the measurments of a new Transit and compared them to the cab.
It just aint going to fit
It MIGHT just go though the door but the gap between the wheel arches is too narrow for it to go in very far and also door hight has only mm clearance.
That means if the hire van has a ply floor then no way will it go inside anyway nor could the doors be closed / it'd hang out the back.

That plan now scuppered.


Paul Humphries

Semi high roof LWB?

Matt wrote:Semi high roof LWB?

It'd go into one of those BUT dearer to hire, more thirsty on fuel and commercial vehicle rate on ferry to Mull (only SWB will fit into car rate and hire company only do low roof SWB).
Overall a LWB would add anything between £100 - 150 in cost to the trip so not an option.
A mate is having a brand new Transit at end of June when the new model comes out. He did say we could go up in that to help add the miles and "run it in" but again same problem of fitting the cab into the back as it's a SWB.
Migraine (stress trigger) and knee problems again means I cann't face trying to sort things at at present so maybe I'll see things clearer in a couple of days .

Paul Humphries.

If it's stressing you out, pay the extra. Health v Money; no contest!

les wrote:If it's stressing you out, pay the extra. Health v Money; no contest!

I'd normally agree but bad health means early retirment thus limited funds

Paul Humphries.

I was going to say that bad health = no money Something I know only too well

bigginger wrote:I was going to say that bad health = no money Something I know only too well

Exactly.
Luckilly I've lots of "toys" accumlated when I was working so have been selling some of the spares to provide funds to purchase the new chassis.
People think how great it must be being early retired (I'm 50 but finished when I was 40) yet don't realise that, despite a pension, your spending power is severely limited and you have to "make every penny count".

I'm resisting selling a kidney for a while longer though

Paul Humphries

What about a flat bed transit?

dp wrote:What about a flat bed transit?

I thought of that but had a shock - hire charge £85 per day compared to £45 for a SWB van! Also being over 5m long ferry company says commercial vehicle rate apply.

Paul Humphries.

People think how great it must be being early retired

I'm one of them, despite enjoying my work. It seems like there are fewer and fewer out here slogging to the end!

les wrote:

People think how great it must be being early retired

I'm one of them, despite enjoying my work. It seems like there are fewer and fewer out here slogging to the end!

Maybe I should add - early retired on health grounds.
ie i couldn't come anywhere near the minimum standard for my employer (the goverment) to allow me to return to work after suffering a brain injury that affect my right hand side, damage to my knee and hip, spine damage that has only 75% success rate if operated and the start of Parkinsons !
I wish I was well enough to do any work as I often end up spending 18 hours a day in bed

Paul Humphries.

les wrote: I'm one of them, despite enjoying my work. It seems like there are fewer and fewer out here slogging to the end!

You lucky, lucky swine. What I'd give...

Well given those problems as an alternative, I'd happily slogg on to the end.

And long may your body continue to allow you so to do It's not too pleasant when it doesn't...

I've had my ups and downs, hence my health/money comment!

and me, but we all fight on to survive

hey paul please dont stress about the chassis, the guy you are buying it from is a top human being and lets face it it has sat in his shed for almost 10 years now so a few more months wont be too much hassle;) Its all good. I would be happy to help in any way as well. Please dont hesitate to chuck us a pm if needed. Also the guy you are buying it off works on a decent sized farm so could possibly help with getting the chassis off the island for you if it would make it any easier.
cheers, michael.