Options for moving a car

[eltax91]

Hi all

I have a little project going on at the moment supercharging my mx5. As I'm nearing the end of the installation I'm thinking about how to move it 160 miles the a well respected megasquirt tuner. The supercharger kit was second hand from an identical car, and was already mapped to run in a car with the same engine. So, my options are:-

• Drive it as-is with the map not set for my car and none of the input values being known/ tuned for (don't like this option)

• shiply. Currently quoting £170

• rent a beaver tail. About £110 inclusive of fuel

• borrow my FiL's ford thunder and rent a car trailer plus add fuel. Comes in around £100

• borrow the truck and use a rented a frame. Comes in about £60

My time would be around when taking a journey this way for work so not really including it. I pay for my own fuel for this trip.

Thoughts? I'm leaning towards the A frame as the cheapest option. Any reason not to use this? It has the added benefit of being able to be dismantled and thrown in the boot so I don't have to immediately drive back like I would with a trailer/ beaver tail.

Note: all options I'm covered for with respect to my license.

[The Nur]

I don't know about the practicalities but if I was moving a car 160 miles I wouldn't want it on an A-frame. It may well be safe but I wouldn't trust it.

[Steffan]

The Nur said:

I don't know about the practicalities but if I was moving a car 160 miles I wouldn't want it on an A-frame. It may well be safe but I wouldn't trust it.

Good advice. Dollies are good short distance movers but not for 160 miles. I would use a decent Trailer hired or whatever. I am fortunate to own a Brian Lames trailer (many kit cars) and towing is a doddle. Your MX5 must be valuable to you: I would treat it appropriately.

[e39darren]

Use a breakdown service and say it overheated or something terminal and get them to transport you to your destination

[twazzock]

A-frame will be illegal for that use. Anything over 750kg must be braked. I'd go with the beavertail.

[rallycross]

Hire a trailer and get on with it.

[Jim AK]

Option 2 for me.

You get it moved when you want, it's fully insured, you know exactly what it will cost.

Hiring or borrowing is all very well but other expenses; eg a puncture come out of your pocket. Maybe I'm just unlucky but if I ever borrow a car or trailer I always seem to end up with a hidden expense!

[TonyRPH]

The Nur said:

I don't know about the practicalities but if I was moving a car 160 miles I wouldn't want it on an A-frame. It may well be safe but I wouldn't trust it.

Back in the 80's when I lived in SA, I towed a MK II Escort the best part of 800 miles on an 'A' frame behind a Nissan Skyline.

I must admit I had some hairy moments!!!

Stopping was the worst - I needed to allow significantly longer distances...

[Fleckers]

Option 2

Saves driving hire or borrowed back

[The Moose]

twazzock said:

A-frame will be illegal for that use. Anything over 750kg must be braked. I'd go with the beavertail.

Genuine question - how do RAC manage it?

[talksthetorque]

Is the shiply quote both ways?

[eltax91]

talksthetorque said:

Is the shiply quote both ways?

I don't think so. I intend to just get a train/ lift down to collect it! It'll be tuned and ready to rock. On shiply I just out in a start and finish post code. So I assume the quote is one way.

Another quote came on last night which was only £10 more than hiring the beavertail so when it's ready I will go with it.

[twazzock]

The Moose said:

Genuine question - how do RAC manage it?

I believe they use a braked dolly (under the car's front axle) whereas an A-frame has no wheels and is just a rigid tow rope effectively. It has no braking capacity therefore can only legally be used for recovery to a safe place or very light vehicles.

[J4CKO]

Base map, drive it there gently ?

[Leptons]

I would drive it there, off boost.

[Butter Face]

Remove supercharger belt, drive car there.

No??