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MG TD TF 1500 - Trailering a TD

I’m considering taking my TD to an out-of-town show this summer, about 220 miles each way. I know I should drive it, but it will be just too many hours on state routes. I won’t drive it on interstate, although I know of others that do (just don’t feel comfortable at high speed). I’m concerned about the car getting all bug-splattered on a trailer. If I tie my cloth cover over it, will any parats that flap in the wind scuff the paint? Would I be better off letting the bugs have at it, then cleaning the mess?

Thanks,

Steve
50 TD
Steve Markman

More paint has been removed by flapping car covers....(or really cold car covers in the wind)
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Steve,
My former boss used open trailers for transporting his prized Auburn Boattail Speedster to distant shows, until gravel, sprayed back from his tow vehicle, took out a headlight ($1200 US to replace the lens alone)and bent several grill slats. He now uses only enclosed trailers. Another alternative to the enclosed trailer is to make a 3 quarter inch plywood front wall for the trailer, that extends upward as high as the top of the grill. You could even fasten side panels to the ends of the front piece to support it, and have them taper down to the bed of the trailer, say just behind the front wheels of your MG (that would deflect most debris when cornering). Fold down your windshield, and you should have the vulnerable parts taken care of. Years ago I had a snow mobile trailer for hauling two motorcycles, and I used the same setup as I described. It worked quite well.
Gene Burgess

Your alternative is an enclosed trailer or to mount a stone guard to the front of your enclosed trailer, somewhat like a chariot. It works just like the stone guard of an enclosed trailer to protected the painted alum skin.
Ron Boisvert

Steve you are absolutely better off packing the cleaning supplies. I have four very distinct "rub throughs" one on each quarter where the tarp got through the paint and primer. Gene's idea of the front wall on the trailer makes tons of sense.
John Pflugi

Steve, if you can, go for an enclosed trailer. Deer or stones bouncing off you car will do a pile of damage, not to mention curious fingers when you stop for lunch. If not enclosed, the partial front deflector is a good second choice, but, don't try to tarp the car. The tarp will rub the paint through. Please don't ask how I know.;-)

Glen
Glen Lucas

OH MY!!!!!!!!
J FLESHMAN

Steve;
Just my 2 cents worth.. 220 miles is just 4 hours in a T. 220 with a trailer is about the same time.. My motto is USE--ENJOY--but PRESERVE. Do not change that order. I have driven T-types all over the east coast from Montreal to key west. some of it on freeways.During all that driving I have had zero trouble with other nuts on the roads. Just count the wheel nuts as the big-uns go by.
Sandy Sanders
Hudson Florida
PS; GOF Mk-xxxiv is this weekend in Sebring Florida
conrad sanders

Steve - I am with Conrad, drive at a speed that you are comfortable with and enjoy. Stay in the slow lane and wave back to all the smiling faces that wave to you. You will find that it is a wonderful experience. One of the best pictures we have of the TD is one of the TD's reflection in a 18 wheeler's hub. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

I'm another driver. Went to our National Rally at Maitland (north of Sydney)over Easter. 1,500 mile round trip. Although I'm slow on the highway, I did not get any angry responses. Passed members of at least four other clubs driving to their respective National Meetings.

Whats wrong Mr Fleshman? You sound like you spilled your coffee.

Cheers, Matthew
Matthew Magilton

Steve,

I have towed my TD several times, both on a UHaul flat trailer, and one of those tow-dollies (front wheels being towed, rears on the ground). I never had any real issues with bugs, etc. that a little cleaning time couldn't fix (except when caught in heavy rains - lots of cleaning time). I dropped the drive shaft when using the tow-dolly (towed from Ohio to Texas with no issues). The UHaul trailer worked well, but I had some fighting to do for them to rent it to me (they said their computer said the track was too narrow - a close fit, but it fit- barely). Plus the trailer is heavy, so you need a decent size truck to tow.

Having said that, I do agree that driving is the best, but whatever works.

Good Luck.

Larry
Larry Thompson

Hey Steve,
Where and when is "show" you are considering? Would you feel better about driving if there were a "group" going?
Just a though ....belong to a few clubs here in Ohio and we have fun driving as a group. The one club in particular is a lot of fun given the differances in cars! All sports but a wild varity )(05 Vette / GT40 / Buggati / Alfa / Sunbeam / several MG's / ect... (but I am only T type). We are quite a sight and many times prefer the "back roads".
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

Dave,

British Car Day (if that's what they call it) in Cleveland on the first Saturday in August. The date conflicts with an identical show here in Dayton that I've never missed, but I have lots of family and friends in Cleveland that don't come down here and thus never have seen the car.

I don't have a problem with being lonely on a long trip, just that if something is going to break, it'll break whether I'm with a group or not. A 200-mile tow could be expensive.

Steve
Steve Markman

Steve,

When I lived in Ohio (Cleveland area) I attended the British Car Day many times - in Shaker Heights to be exact. Nice setting in the square, pipe and drum band, etc. Expect about 6-8 TDs and about the same TCs. Quite a few big old Rolls and Jags, plus the couple thousand rubber-bumper B's, TRs, etc. Probably about 200 cars total. The problem with that show is that it is difficult to get to, many side streets through some of the less affluent sections of town. Though, having said that, I never had a problem. I assume you're coming from the Dayton-area. I would expect the drive on secondary roads (you're not going to try 70 or 71, are you?) would be 5-6 hours. Nice drive though.

When I rented the trailer from UHaul, it ran me about $250 for 4 days if I remember correctly, so it ain't cheap.

Larry
Larry Thompson

Steve,

For the GofWest held in Long Beach, Ca in '03, My wife and I drove our TF-1500 from Sacramento, a round trip totaling 1300 miles. We left Sacramento and headed straight over to the coast at Half Moon Bay and when we saw the ocean we turned left onto Hwy 1 and had the most pleasnt trip we've ever taken. We didn't push hard and stopped for one overnite. Remember, it's not the destination but the journey. Or as I like to say "take the blue roads"...

Cheers - Dennis - Sacramento
Dennis Rainey

Steve,
Haven't decided on if I will make it to either of those this year...been to neither and would like to do one of them.
One thing to definetly file away is that I have a car dolly and it has been modified for use with LBC's (narrow track & low) over here near Newark. After fighting with the U-Hole folks, (Steve can tell you about that), I bought a used one and put a little welding in. I would never even consider charging a "T" type in need to use it! You got a 2" ball ...you got a free tow! I wore out my welcome with AAA with the TF when I had vapor-lock problems a few years back. Keep in touch if you change your mind about driving.
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

Steve
When I finished the restoration of my TD, I wanted to take it on trip to Canada to where my father was born. The only trips I had taken it on were local and about 50 miles the longest. My local chapter of the NEMGT register sponsors the “Original British Car Day”. At that time it was held in the spring in Bowie, Maryland. In order to get there I had to drive on the Beltway and Interstate 95. As David DeBois has said about the picture of his car in the hub cap of the 18 wheelers hub, mine was a picture of his grill with Peterbuilt in reverse in the dash’s rear view mirror as he shoved us across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. My wife will not ride in my car now, that’s been 6 years. Any way back to the trailer. When I went to Canada, my interest was to drive on two land country roads and not the interstates. I asked for trailer info on this site and ended up buying an enclosed trailer. The one I chose was a 7 foot wide by 14 foot long. My car fits very well in it and after some short trips with the with the car inside , I drove it to Canada and drove the TD for two weeks on country roads. So now when I want to drive on the Skyline drive or some place nice, I load the TD up, drive to my destination and unload. For me it relieves me of a lot of stress, not being on crowed interstate roads with cars going 75 to 80 miles per hour and me in the TD at 55. After restoring my TD and all the work I put into it, I get very annoyed when I’m tailgated or some one doesn’t stop for a stop sign. You also end up at you destination with a clean car. I figure my TD is a driver and not a show car, I haven’t entered it in any. Hopefully it won’t be considered a trailer queen either. John
John C. Hambleton III

This thread was discussed between 05/04/2005 and 08/04/2005

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