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TR6 How not to tow a TR6

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tdskip

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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.


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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.
 
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.
 
She was probably having the typical conversation, too.
" I'm here---(fill in the blank), where are you etc.? "
Sorry, Tom.
 
What a terrible mess. And had you hit her, it would have been your fault.
 
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.
 
As Norm from Cheers once said, "Women, you can't live with them...




















... pass the beer nuts".
 
TR3driver said:
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.
Click to expand...

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...."
 
tdskip said:
To be honest, I wasn't using rear tie down chain.
Click to expand...
Sorry, didn't mean to rub it in, Skip.
 
TR3driver said:
tdskip said:
To be honest, I wasn't using rear tie down chain.
Click to expand...
Sorry, didn't mean to rub it in, Skip.
Click to expand...

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!
 
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.
 
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
 
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....
 
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.
 
Didn't California pass a law restricting cell phone usage recently? If in effect you may have legal recourse...
 
RonMacPherson said:
Didn't California pass a law restricting cell phone usage recently? If in effect you may have legal recourse...
Click to expand...
So did WA. Hasn't stopped that many people. It's a secondary offense anyway
 
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