280i and a trailer hitch
Discussion
I recall some prior thread(s) on this topic but I think they referenced the more skitterish V-8s. 
This will no doubt get me in trouble but...
Long ago, I had a '72 4 cylinder Capri with a class 1 (light duty) hitch and it towed with no problems. Other than the usual, common sense issues regarding trailer weight, brakes and clutch, it should work.
How and were you attach the hitch is a different topic. I would try to make the hitch removable - mounting the receiver to the frame and maybe a hole through the valance so you can remove and plug the hole when not in use.
And once you have the receiver in place, you could also attach a light luggage rack in place of the trailer hitch for no-boat trips. Grady
This will no doubt get me in trouble but...
Long ago, I had a '72 4 cylinder Capri with a class 1 (light duty) hitch and it towed with no problems. Other than the usual, common sense issues regarding trailer weight, brakes and clutch, it should work.
How and were you attach the hitch is a different topic. I would try to make the hitch removable - mounting the receiver to the frame and maybe a hole through the valance so you can remove and plug the hole when not in use.
And once you have the receiver in place, you could also attach a light luggage rack in place of the trailer hitch for no-boat trips. Grady
It can be done fairly easily for light loads. I'm towing about 250 kg total on a small trailer as Nacnud says.
The advantage I have is that I have removed all the rear undertray stuff (to make the car go faster) and can get access to the rear of the chassis and in particular the U shaped channel that is part of the rear diff stuff mounts. My bar bolts onto this and there are two further vertical bolts that go up. One through the flat plate next to the channel and the second through the boot floor with a big ally spacer to spread the load.
Works fine but unless you can see that channel direct, the only other alternative is to go under and bolt on to the chassis.
The 7 pin plug was mounted in the body work and I piggy backed onto the rear lights cabling.
Pretty sure there are some piccies in Tower View's gallery.
www.t-v-r-services.co.uk
steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
The advantage I have is that I have removed all the rear undertray stuff (to make the car go faster) and can get access to the rear of the chassis and in particular the U shaped channel that is part of the rear diff stuff mounts. My bar bolts onto this and there are two further vertical bolts that go up. One through the flat plate next to the channel and the second through the boot floor with a big ally spacer to spread the load.
Works fine but unless you can see that channel direct, the only other alternative is to go under and bolt on to the chassis.
The 7 pin plug was mounted in the body work and I piggy backed onto the rear lights cabling.
Pretty sure there are some piccies in Tower View's gallery.
www.t-v-r-services.co.uk
steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Gerry Attrick said:
grady said:
This will no doubt get me in trouble but...
Long ago, I had a '72 4 cylinder Capri ... Grady
Never mind - we all have our bad days.
It's part of the circle of life... I really wanted one with a V-6, - which I now have in my 280i!
>> Edited by grady on Wednesday 26th January 18:48
I've got a towbar of sorts on the back of my 350i.
It's actually a bike rack so that I can take the car with me when I buzz around the country racing Triathlons (and I thought TVR ownership was expensive). Not sure it would tow much, but RT fitted/fabricated it about 5 years ago. Only problem is that it grounds out more than the gearbox so I had to buy adjustable shocks and I've now got an extra inch or so at the back end. Not ideal for ultimate handling, but it would hurt to drive to Weymouth on a sunny June morning for a race in a ZX when I could have the roof off and the bike on the back
It's actually a bike rack so that I can take the car with me when I buzz around the country racing Triathlons (and I thought TVR ownership was expensive). Not sure it would tow much, but RT fitted/fabricated it about 5 years ago. Only problem is that it grounds out more than the gearbox so I had to buy adjustable shocks and I've now got an extra inch or so at the back end. Not ideal for ultimate handling, but it would hurt to drive to Weymouth on a sunny June morning for a race in a ZX when I could have the roof off and the bike on the back
I had Harrogate Horseless Carriages fit towbar and electrics to my 2.8i when purchased new in1986. Since then I have towed a trailer tent to Spain or the S of France, and back each year. The trailer was /is 4 cwt. Only problem - rear tyres touching body (none damaging)when springs compressed at 70+mph due to road bumps, and a danger of over heating at +30C when queing at 'payage'- cured by re-siting front reg plate.
Les Willis at Leswillisatpen@AOL.com
>> Edited by Lesw. on Friday 28th January 15:27
>> Edited by Lesw. on Friday 28th January 15:28
Les Willis at Leswillisatpen@AOL.com
>> Edited by Lesw. on Friday 28th January 15:27
>> Edited by Lesw. on Friday 28th January 15:28
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