TR6 How not to tow a TR6

[tdskip]

Despite being tied down, in gear and with the hand brake on I had a bit of trouble today when a *#&%$ woman driving a big SUV talking on the phone gunned it and served into my lane because she just <span style="font-weight: bold">had</span> to jump in ahead of me. And then of course slammed on her brakes and came to a complete stop.

 

[Tinster]

You were fortunate no damage was done!!

dale

 

[tdskip]

Hey Dale!

I feel really lucky actually, that driver could have caused a major accident. I'd rather have to replace some sills than all of the things that could have happened.

That said, it wasn't exactly easy to get her off the trailer.

 

[sail]

Looks like you have extra work but also looks like it could have been much worse. I hope you had a chance to at least thump the "lady" on the forehead.

 

[poolboy]

She was probably having the typical conversation, too.
" I'm here---(fill in the blank), where are you etc.? "
Sorry, Tom.

 

[2wrench]

Wow. Fortunate you could stop. Musta done some things right.

 

[DougF]

What a terrible mess. And had you hit her, it would have been your fault.

 

[BobbyD]

Ah yes.....another MILF Soccer Mom in her SUV on her cell phone not paying attention. On the bright side.....it could have been worse.

 

[TR3driver]

Just curious, Skip, did the rear tie downs break ? Or were you not using them ?

If they broke, you might have grounds for a claim with U-haul.

 

[TRDejaVu]

As Norm from Cheers once said, "Women, you can't live with them...




















... pass the beer nuts".

 

[tdskip]

Just curious, Skip, did the rear tie downs break ? Or were you not using them ?

If they broke, you might have grounds for a claim with U-haul.

The front tie downs simply came off despite being really tight. To be honest, I wasn't using rear tie down chain. Hindsight is pretty clear on that one, bone-headed move on my part. Next time you can be sure I will be.

So despite my initial anger at the SUV driver, I'm also at fault. I'm trying to zen out about the whole thing. Now if I had finished restoring it or just got it back from being painted I might not be so calm about it.

I also think the trailer brakes where part of the issue, they were like an on/off switch. So when I had to get on the brakes hard they grabbed all of a sudden, and I think that helped dipped the trailer nose down and facilitated the car coming up over the end.

I made it clear to the UHaul guy that the trailer brakes needed to be checked and he said "Oh, yeah. They do that when they need to be rebuilt...."

 

[TR3driver]

To be honest, I wasn't using rear tie down chain.

Sorry, didn't mean to rub it in, Skip.

 

[tdskip]

To be honest, I wasn't using rear tie down chain.

Sorry, didn't mean to rub it in, Skip.

Hey! I didn't take it that way at all Randall. I should have been using them, and if I had and they failed I sure would have talked to UHaul about it. I took it as a good idea from someone who was trying to help!

 

[TR6BILL]

Skip, that is scary indeed. Sorry for your misfortune. Lesson well learned I guess.

There are four holes in the frame of the TR6, two just behind the engine and two just aft of the rear suspension. I installed giant flange-headed eye bolts into each hole and left them there as a permanent source of tie-downs. The bolts are probably 5/8" in diameter and are galvanized. They fit perfectly through to the other side of the frame (didn't need to drill the frame, holes already there from factory). I use chain dogs to latch it down.

Just a little pointer for the next time you tow.

 

[Tinkerman]

Ah the joy of towing in traffic. I know it was a nerve wracking incident. Glad your OK and did not suffer to much damage on the car.

By the way is that your Metropolitan I see in the background? Wife always wanted one of those and I was going to buy her one in the mid 90's until she asked if the A/C worked on it. THEN she found out the true nature of those little darlins, heh

Cheers, Tinkerman

 

[TR6oldtimer]

My high school buddy had a Metro, I once came up behind him in a '53 Merc, made contact, then proceeded to push him up to 110 mph. I still wonder how I ever made it to 18, let alone to 62....

 

[Silverghost]

WOW, stopped SO fast the fenders came off!! How far did they fly??! LOL :laugh:

Glad everyone is relatively ok. As previously stated, it could have been a lot worse.

 

[tdskip]

WOW, stopped SO fast the fenders came off!!

LOL

 

[RonMacPherson]

Didn't California pass a law restricting cell phone usage recently? If in effect you may have legal recourse...

 

[DNK]

Didn't California pass a law restricting cell phone usage recently? If in effect you may have legal recourse...

So did WA. Hasn't stopped that many people. It's a secondary offense anyway