Towing

[paulyboy]

I'm due to get my slave cylinder replaced at Hawthorns TVR. I'm planning to do a sneaky one and get my breakdown cover to take it to surrey (from essex). I'm planning to take it a few miles from home and ring the breakdown cover. My problem is there isnt any tow eyes on the front of the cerb! Any suggestions to how to tow it? I would get Hawthorns to pick it up but they dont do said task!?

[SXS]

Look underneath, behind the air pressure lip... and you'll see it, but its pointing in the other direction!!!!! (they do like their drink up nooooth)...

[paulyboy]

cheers, I'll have a look tommorow!

[carl_w]

Surely once you tell them it's a Cerb they'll just send out a flatbed?

[RUSSELLM]

carl_w said:

Surely once you tell them it's a Cerb they'll just send out a flatbed?

I don't think Paul's got home recovery, so he need's to get the vehicle away from his house.

Now is the time to take out the AA warranty, me thinks

[Julian64]

push it a few streets away from your home. There is no way of attaching a rope to that hook without it taking the strain against your bodywork.

[Byff]

I'd imagine the hook will be attached to the chassis and the GRP bonded upto it.

I pulled my Cerb up my steep drive, then gave it a jump start off the rope when the starter motor packed in. It seemed pretty strong to me and the front of the car didn't get pulled off

[Julian64]

Byff said:

I'd imagine the hook will be attached to the chassis and the GRP bonded upto it. I pulled my Cerb up my steep drive, then gave it a jump start off the rope when the starter motor packed in. It seemed pretty strong to me and the front of the car didn't get pulled off

You misunderstand me

The hook is indeed on the frame and not connected to the GRP in any way.

However a rope from that to the front of the car will rest on the GRP nose of your vehicle, unless of course the towhook on the towing vehicle is dragging on the ground.

As the towhook pulls the rope will try to straighten and the GRP nose of your Cerb will take a beating it will not easily survive.

I believe the towhook on the Cerb would be okay for a winch on a flatbed but I wouldn't tow from another car

[SXS]

Yup, you're right... I've had my lip come off in the past... but she aint no skoda, the body is a lot stronger than you'd think... but I wouldnt take the chance so I'd say stick to the push routine...
the hook is only useful on the track or flatbed lifting, as the cable normally stays pretty low (bar the spoiler lip)...

[Rob Dance]

How about waiting `till the roads are quiet, warming it up, then start it in gear and drive it without the clutch ?

I don`t tend to use the clutch once the car`s on the move when pootling about !

Don`t forget to nock it out of gear before you stop completley, or the experience could be rather startling !!

[Byff]

Julian64 said:

You misunderstand me

Glad to be corrected

When my starter motor went, it was my only option to pull it up the drive, then as it was in motion, gave it a bump to get it started. From there, it went straight into HHC for repair without stopping.

I'd say if it was a short distance to pull, it'll be ok, but I wouldn't recommend pulling it miles away.

As has been mentioned, i'd probably get it rolling a bit, then start the engine in gear and limp the required distance in first gear.

[Tripps]

Will being towed behind another vehicle cause damage to the diff and drivetrain at all (not thinking of bodywork damage...) and does the manual warn against it?

Most new car manuals I've seen warn against it (FWD or RWD) which I beleive is something to do with cats.

The last (and only) time I had the S break down they said they could towed it but I disagreed and insisted on a flatbed.

[paulyboy]

I have got home recovery, but need to get the car far enougth away so they dont just bring the cerb back home. I think if it was a couple of sreets away they will op for the half a mile trip instead of the 50 or so miles!? Still have'nt had the chance to have a look at the hook yet because of work, but does anyone know if it could be modified in any way ( big hammer or bolt put through it so it would'nt damage the body)??

>> Edited by paulyboy on Wednesday 29th September 19:43

[gbbird]

Thats a strange home recovery deal you have there my friend. I thought the whole point of home recovery was to recover your vehicle from your home address and if they cannot fix it then to take it somewhere that can. Who are you with?

[Tripps]

Might be worth your while (and wallet) to upgrade your recovery to a level sufficient enough to tow you to the garage, leave it a few days then get it flat-bedded.

Will certainly be a lot cheaper than if they refuse to take the car as part of your home start cover.

[Byff]

I think you have the same recovery plan as me.

I would just tow it a couple of streets away and phone them out - after all, a clutch can go at anytime. Best position it so it looks like you pulled upto a junction or something, then the thing died on you.

If I remember correctly, they ask you where you want to be recovered too. I wouldn't worry too much.

[paulyboy]

Sort of home recovery i think!?? i`m with green flag through barclays additions. ive got the top Euro cover, they put u up in hotels and stuff! But if your car is less than a mile from your home they take it back there. (I quote)There are NO call-out charges, and you’re covered as long as your car is at least one mile from your home.
All the benefits of Rescue cover and, if your car can’t be repaired by the end of the working day, we’ll transport it, you and up to seven passengers to your home, your destination or a local garage. And you’re taken in one single journey – not a series of relays, blah blah blah....so obviously my distination was Hawthorns TVR for a service! Scam Better work its booked in on monday!