Trailering a TVR
Discussion
I am thinking of getting a trailer to transport my Tuscan to the various places we all have to frequent an a regular basis.
It's getting to be a pain to either have to hang around all day or wonder how I'm going to get home and back to collect the car.
I don't have a heavy 4x4 (more of an SUV) so the trailer has to be as small and as light as possible.
What size trailer have you got away with to move your TVR?
On a side note, I read on here often of people sending their car all over the country to get work done and wonder how the logistics work.
For instance I would love to get my paint sorted by S&D but they are a world away from me.
It's getting to be a pain to either have to hang around all day or wonder how I'm going to get home and back to collect the car.
I don't have a heavy 4x4 (more of an SUV) so the trailer has to be as small and as light as possible.
What size trailer have you got away with to move your TVR?
On a side note, I read on here often of people sending their car all over the country to get work done and wonder how the logistics work.
For instance I would love to get my paint sorted by S&D but they are a world away from me.
all i'll say is don't do a nose up tow as the exhaust will foul at the back.
i used http://www.urbanvehiclelogistics.co.uk/ and they were brilliant, also the least expensive quote by a significant amount.
i used http://www.urbanvehiclelogistics.co.uk/ and they were brilliant, also the least expensive quote by a significant amount.
SAGRIFF said:
I have a BJames 185, i've had my 500, Cerb and Sag on it with no problems, last time I looked you can get a good un for about £1200/1300
I have thought about this for visits to the strips. Can you drive on and open the door ok to get out?I would also like to know what cars people use. Would a modest economical diesel estate do the job?
Things to consider:
1)towing weight
Most large estate cars will be plated to tow c1600kg to c2000kg
the lightest brian james twin axel 14ft trailers weigh 500kg. the heavier ones 600kg (the big trailers are c900kg
so if your TVR weighs 1100kg you should be ok.
2)Nose weight
the more complicated bit is not exceeding the nose weight/tow hitch load.
this can be as low as 50kgs(depending on the car), which isn’t much when you have a big engine on the front half of the trailer and not much on the rear half.
a discovery with a 150kg nose weight and self levelling suspension would be ideal
3)Power
A 90bhp passat special will struggle pulling 2ton up hills
4)licence
If you are younger than 32(ish) you'll need to take a test to pull more than 750kg (or an empty trailer plated at more than 750kg)
Custard
Reference:- I tow a 1250kg m3 track car on a 14ft clubman with a V6 derv 184bhp vectra est. it's fine but you do have to take it easy on the motorway (<60mph). grip can be an issue on steep wet hills
1)towing weight
Most large estate cars will be plated to tow c1600kg to c2000kg
the lightest brian james twin axel 14ft trailers weigh 500kg. the heavier ones 600kg (the big trailers are c900kg
so if your TVR weighs 1100kg you should be ok.
2)Nose weight
the more complicated bit is not exceeding the nose weight/tow hitch load.
this can be as low as 50kgs(depending on the car), which isn’t much when you have a big engine on the front half of the trailer and not much on the rear half.
a discovery with a 150kg nose weight and self levelling suspension would be ideal
3)Power
A 90bhp passat special will struggle pulling 2ton up hills
4)licence
If you are younger than 32(ish) you'll need to take a test to pull more than 750kg (or an empty trailer plated at more than 750kg)
Custard
Reference:- I tow a 1250kg m3 track car on a 14ft clubman with a V6 derv 184bhp vectra est. it's fine but you do have to take it easy on the motorway (<60mph). grip can be an issue on steep wet hills
I take my Chim around on a Brian James TT, behind the motorhome to Sprints & Speed Hillclimbs.
The TT 200-6100 (as it is now - mines an earlier 2009 version)) It's the only one that you can get the doors open when on the trailer - got fed up climbing out of the window and having a window close switch in the boot!! Small 10 inch wheels keep deck height low and long ally ramps allow easy on/off.
Highly recommended.
Trev
The TT 200-6100 (as it is now - mines an earlier 2009 version)) It's the only one that you can get the doors open when on the trailer - got fed up climbing out of the window and having a window close switch in the boot!! Small 10 inch wheels keep deck height low and long ally ramps allow easy on/off.
Highly recommended.
Trev
for stability the tow vehicle really needs to be heavier than the trailer and it's load. also the centre of gravity of the trailer needs to be as far forward as you can to reduce the tendency to wag. i've currently got a bateson trailer and a shogun to tow it all and it's quite stable and predictable. I've used smaller tow vehicles in the past and can't say i'd do it again. can be quite a challenge to keep in a straight line when it starts tramlining on the motorway.....
dbv8 said:
I have thought about this for visits to the strips. Can you drive on and open the door ok to get out?
I would also like to know what cars people use. Would a modest economical diesel estate do the job?
The one I borrow has a winch and also is a double wheeler and the wheel arch drops down - still awkward steering though through the window.I would also like to know what cars people use. Would a modest economical diesel estate do the job?
FFG
Thanks for all the interesting info.
The max tow weight of my car is 1650Kg. If most TVRs weigh 1100Kg it only leaves 550Kg for the trailer to weigh.
In looking into this I have been surprised, perhaps naively, at how big a vehicle you have to have to tow a trailer with another car on.
Caravans are featherweights by comparison which is why our favourite roadusers can get away with smaller tow cars.
I know this because I have been somewhere I never thought I would go - caravanner websites.
The max tow weight of my car is 1650Kg. If most TVRs weigh 1100Kg it only leaves 550Kg for the trailer to weigh.
In looking into this I have been surprised, perhaps naively, at how big a vehicle you have to have to tow a trailer with another car on.
Caravans are featherweights by comparison which is why our favourite roadusers can get away with smaller tow cars.
I know this because I have been somewhere I never thought I would go - caravanner websites.
swisstoni said:
In looking into this I have been surprised, perhaps naively, at how big a vehicle you have to have to tow a trailer with another car on.
I was in the same position last year. Just didn't realise it was so strict. Had a BMW drift car I didn't want to MOT, Tax etc. which left trailering to tracks the only other option.dbv8 said:
SAGRIFF said:
I have a BJames 185, i've had my 500, Cerb and Sag on it with no problems, last time I looked you can get a good un for about £1200/1300
I have thought about this for visits to the strips. Can you drive on and open the door ok to get out?I would also like to know what cars people use. Would a modest economical diesel estate do the job?
I use my diesel ZTT 135+ for towing and that has a braked max weight of 1600kg and is just ok. Brian James bought for £1280, takes both the griff and 350 better still it fits in the garage with a car on so no storage problems, i do have to go dukes of hazzard to get out once on the trailer due to mudguards but some models let you fold the mudguard down. Always great knowing i can get the car home from T/D etc.
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