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Re: [Spridgets] Spridget tow bar

To: "Michael Rowe" <mdrowe@optonline.net>, "Spridget Chat Group"
Subject: Re: [Spridgets] Spridget tow bar
From: "Guy R Day" <grday@btinternet.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 08:35:18 -0000
The 'A' frame towing system was used commonly in the UK.  Frequently by 
small time car dealers taking a car away from auction.  They work providing 
the trailer car is half decent at steering.  Some used to loosely rope the 
steering wheel to prevent any excess turning (low speeds - the wheels turn 
if one wheel hits an immoveable object - normally a poor driver issue.) 
Providing there is a castor angle to the front wheels they should work.  The 
major problem - and what makes many of them illegal to use over here - is 
the absence of operating brakes on the 'trailer car'.  I think (but not too 
sure) an unbraked trailer (the towed vehicle) can only have a maximum weight 
of 500kg but, in any event (I am sure) it should not exceed half the weight 
of the tow car.
Some car recovery companies had a system that had an assembly which sat 
between the front seat and pedals and was meant to operate the brake pedal. 
Built to cover the legalities - this brake system never worked and the 'A' 
frame fell into 'junk' category.
I used them a fair amount before they changed the law in relation to 
unbraked trailers without any problem at all, towing a Land Rover with 
another Land Rover or Range Rover when the trailer was in use elsewhere. 
That device just clamped to the front Land Rover bumper with a safety chain 
around each front spring.  I'd use one again if the legalities of the 
braking / weight issues were overcome.

Guy R Day



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Rowe" <mdrowe@optonline.net>
To: "Spridget Chat Group" <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:03 AM
Subject: [Spridgets] Spridget tow bar


> The Spridget on eBay at
> 
>http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-RWA-MG-Midget_W0QQitemZ280203876252QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280203876252
> has a tow bar with a hard attachment to the front bumper mounts.  Does 
> anyone have any thoughts about the geometry of this and the willingness of 
> the front wheels to follow docilely?
>
> Michael Rowe
> Long Island, NY
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