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Traveller 1954 towing Caravan
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2021 12:38 pm
by Tiago Couceiro
Hi, I have just purchased and restored a 1954 traveler and would like to purchase a small old caravan but would like to know what the maximum weight is suitable for towing. My Traveller is original, 803cc and I plan, if necessary, to adapt disc brakes to reinforce the caravan's trailer. what are your suggestions?
Thanks
Tiago
Re: Traveller 1954 towing Caravan
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2021 12:57 pm
by nutmegct
Tiago - take a look at this discussion:
viewtopic.php?t=51712
Looks like 400kg might be a limit.
Tom M.
Re: Traveller 1954 towing Caravan
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2021 1:07 pm
by Admin
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Sprite Alpine - about 12cwt give or take?
Re: Traveller 1954 towing Caravan
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2021 1:10 pm
by Tiago Couceiro
Re: Traveller 1954 towing Caravan
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2021 1:34 pm
by ManyMinors
Tiago Couceiro wrote: ↑Sun Dec 26, 2021 12:38 pm
Hi, I have just purchased and restored a 1954 traveler and would like to purchase a small old caravan but would like to know what the maximum weight is suitable for towing. My Traveller is original, 803cc and I plan, if necessary, to adapt disc brakes to reinforce the caravan's trailer. what are your suggestions?
Thanks
Tiago
My advice would be: Forget it. Having owned a Series 11 (in perfectly good running condition) I found it barely coped with pulling ITSELF along. A caravan, regardless of weight, would be too much for the little car I'm afraid. Put a tent in the boot instead. A lightweight one. It might cope with that......
Re: Traveller 1954 towing Caravan
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2021 2:59 pm
by Admin
Well, never say never. Yes, any 'proper' mainstream vans are going to be a stretch, but there are a few 'micro' caravan styles around that are very lightweight, or do what I did and build your own on top of a Halfords trailer chassis (okay, I didn't personally build it, I gave the chassis and some sketches on a bit of paper to a bloke and said "Oi, build me that"). My little teardrop has a cooker, fridge, even a TV and DVD player, and is light enough for me to tow all round the mountains of northern Scotland and the Hebrides
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Re: Traveller 1954 towing Caravan
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2021 3:16 pm
by panky
Love that
Re: Traveller 1954 towing Caravan
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2021 4:11 pm
by nutmegct
Mike - those are *wonderful* photos!
Tom M.
Re: Traveller 1954 towing Caravan
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2021 5:11 pm
by Tiago Couceiro
Admin wrote: ↑Sun Dec 26, 2021 2:59 pm
Well, never say never. Yes, any 'proper' mainstream vans are going to be a stretch, but there are a few 'micro' caravan styles around that are very lightweight, or do what I did and build your own on top of a Halfords trailer chassis (okay, I didn't personally build it, I gave the chassis and some sketches on a bit of paper to a bloke and said "Oi, build me that"). My little teardrop has a cooker, fridge, even a TV and DVD player, and is light enough for me to tow all round the mountains of northern Scotland and the Hebrides
mull1.jpgmull2.jpgmull3.jpg
Amazing! what is the weight of your full teardrop? there are small caravans with a total weight of around 800 pounds. Maybe you teardrop have the same weight.
Re: Traveller 1954 towing Caravan
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2021 6:24 pm
by jagnut66
Well, never say never. Yes, any 'proper' mainstream vans are going to be a stretch, but there are a few 'micro' caravan styles around that are very lightweight, or do what I did and build your own on top of a Halfords trailer chassis (okay, I didn't personally build it, I gave the chassis and some sketches on a bit of paper to a bloke and said "Oi, build me that"). My little teardrop has a cooker, fridge, even a TV and DVD player, and is light enough for me to tow all round the mountains of northern Scotland and the Hebrides
To be fair Mike, you have a bigger engine than an 803 under the bonnet, don't you?
I agree that caravan towing is perfectly 'do-able' in your traveller, however you will need to replace the 803 engine (along with the gearbox and diff) with something bigger first.
A 1098 set up from any later Minor should do nicely and be not too hard to track down.
Best wishes,
Mike.
Re: Traveller 1954 towing Caravan
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2021 7:35 pm
by ManyMinors
Yes. I was talking about towing with an 803cc Minor because that is what the OP has.
I agree that towing with a larger engined Minor is perfectly possible - although personally I would prefer to use a heavier car than a Minor to tow a caravan with regardless of how powerful the engine is.
Re: Traveller 1954 towing Caravan
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2021 9:11 pm
by Admin
Sorry guys, I didn't spot that we were talking about an 803. Yes, scratch my earlier comment, that's a lot harder proposition!
nutmegct wrote: ↑Sun Dec 26, 2021 4:11 pm
Mike - those are *wonderful* photos!
Tom M.
Cheers Tom! You've reminded me that I didn't put up the remainder of photos after our mag editor had chosen the ones he wanted for the magazine feature earlier this year. I've put them up now in case anyone is interested -
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=74403
Re: Traveller 1954 towing Caravan
Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2021 8:37 pm
by Chief
Re: Traveller 1954 towing Caravan
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2021 9:58 am
by myoldjalopy
With an 803cc engine under the bonnet I would forget about the caravan and pack a tent!
