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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Towing

Has anyone out there used a midget to tow a trailer.
i am trying to work out if it is possible to tow a trailer tent to Goodwood with mine. Any advice on tow bars, towed weight etc gladly received.
John Ruderman

it's certainly possible, towbars used to be made and sold for Midgets. I'd think you would not want to exceed 250kg unbraked behind something as light as a Midget; also consider current legislation which states all newly-installed towbars have to be E-marked (but how would they know when it was installed?)
David Smith

It sure can

at spridget 50 2 years ago a guy had a vespa motor scotor on a trailer...but do it light and make sure the brakes are in excellent shape as david above points out
Prop

Once again the owners Handbook would give you the answer

If you own a classic MG you shouldn't be without the owners Handbook
http://www9.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgocregalia&a=&mode=search&cat=Handbooks

From Mk3 owners Handbook;

Maximum permissable towing weight: 1,344lb / 610kg

Towbar hitch load: Maximum 100lb / 45.4kg
Nigel Atkins

Maximum permissable towing weight: 1,344lb / 610kg

LOL... OKAY, you 1st !!!!

yeah but how long will it take to stop?

Im from missouri...Show Me! lol.

If Im not mistaken...arent our cars weighing in at around 1600 lbs.

Sorry i dont mean to make fun, and Im sure your stats are lagit...But wow, Im sure i dont want to ride shot gun just the same.

Prop




Prop

Braked trailer?
Guy Weller

yeah I'm with you, image the wear and tear on clutch, brakes and tyres and go up long big hills

(and this is for a 1275)

I don't know if English Imperial lbs are the same as those in the US of A

I've copied the figures correctly I think
Nigel Atkins

Even braked ........

I tow regularly, and like to know that there's at least half a tonne extra weight in the car than there is in the trailer - to decrease the risk of snaking etc.

Assuming the weight of the car is 750kgs - I wouldn't tow more than 500kgs - especially on winding or hilly roads ... even here in the Fens I'd be a bit worried (mostly coz of the ditches ...!)

However, if I'm not mistaken, alot of the smaller trailer tents are lighter than this - so - have a great weekend :)!!!!!!!!!
rachmacb

I've tried to upload a scan of part of the page but sumfink wont not 'ave it 'ere

there is a note:

Note: Due considerationtion must be given to the overall weight when fully loading the car. Any loads carried on a luggage rack or downward load from a towing hitch must also be included in the maimum loading.

Am I the only one to buy these owners Handbooks :)
Nigel Atkins

Gross weight (of car?) maximum weight condition, refer to note below - 975kg

Kirbside weight including full fuel tank and all optional extras(?) - 772kg (1275)

inc. driver and passenger - 908kg
Nigel Atkins

Nigel,

Hand books...thats to easy! lol

Here is a photo of the motor scotor on the trailer, Id say a good 500 lbs USA, ...Sorry I remembered it as a spridget but its a bug

Prop








Prop

Found this one which seems to be towable behind small cars and motorbikes - but this isn't my idea of a motorbike ...!


rachmacb

Prop, if I'd been able to get the scanned page uploaded it would have made more sense than more posts

John (OP) if you've got a later or early car than a MK3 Midget then the figures may vary
Nigel Atkins

Typo in last my post:

Prop, if I'd been able to get the scanned page uploaded it would have made more sense than MY posts (typo proves the point!)

John (OP) if you've got a later or early car than a MK3 Midget then the figures may vary
Nigel Atkins

Nigel,

Dont sweat it, I have little knowlede about this topic, My comments are based on "Limited" life experiance and looking at the size of the brakes themselfs on the midget and going "HHHhhmmmm I wonder" trust me Im not the one to be offering up any real help...everything Ive posted above is the total of what I know

Id certianly talk to (Rach) more in depth, she has alot of experiance hauling horses, Anyone that hauls livestock for any length of time knows the tricks, facts, tid bits on hauling behind a car or pick up truck ... it really is more "art" then "sceince" from what ive seen

strangle... women that rodeo are the best source for this info when it come to pick up trucks towing cattle haulers


Prop
Prop

Prop, nope I'm not not sweating it but thanks for the concern :)

To be honest it's not me it's this keyboard, it can't spell or type properly - it makes me out to be a right idiot
Nigel Atkins

here is spec page from a 1500 midget manual


mark (1977 1500 Midget) Preston Lancs

...and there's a towbar for sale on Classifieds
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/midgetspriteclub/MascNew/SalesWants.shtml
David Smith

Here's a smashing trailer....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/blue65pv544/4033614506/

EDIT- forgot to say, a mate at work did this with a Ford Fiesta, it was a great little trailer and he did a real good job of it!!



John :)
j b biggs

I towed a loaded Commer Caravanette off a French motorway in my Midget one night to a safer place so we could fix a fuel line problem.

A tow bar would have been a nice thing to have :(
bill sdgpm

I contacted the owner of the tow bar for sale in the classified David posted above. He was kind enough to send me a picture. Very nice indeed. Wish I was closer.




Lee Fox

Lee,

I cant invision how that bolts on...does the back edge bolt across the front of fuel tank screws?

but where does the back edge of the tow bar screw to, esp with the funny angle by the ball hitch

Prop


Prop

This looks an ideal little Midget sized trailer

http://www.wilstow-trailers.co.uk/lockable-backpacker-camping-trailer-61-c.asp
Dean Smith ('73 RWA)

That's a cool little trailer - if it didn't have a top, it'd do for muck! (and the price tag!)

Hmmmm - wonder why I'm now a (bracket) Prop????


Science is over-rated when it comes to towing, but, without it, you can't do anything ;)
rachmacb

I think I've found a major fault with that trailer and I quote
"it has been tested safely for speeds up to 60 miles per hour"
Do think that they mean cornering speeds?
Gary lazarus

This thread was discussed between 27/07/2010 and 30/07/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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