I've got a Sprite Question......

[Cottontop]

...and I KNEW just where to come to get it answered.

Since my wife and I retired nearly 3 years ago, we have traveled through 44 states and 6 Canadian provinces.
https://ntahc.org/greatstuff/familystuff/T&S/RVstuff/RVStuff.htm

We've traveled so "fast" that we have only spent 2 nights in the same place twice.
Having a rather small RV that we can take and park almost anywhere, we did/do NOT tow a car.

Now, we are wanting to slow down and re-visit some of the places we have been and spend some time getting
to know the areas and the people.

That said, it would be MUCH easier to tow a small car rather than unhooking The RVs power and water every
time we want to go somewhere.

We've got a big Healey & trailer, but really don't want to drag the 5,000# load all over the country.
The mileage drops from 12 to 7 (grin).

We've had our eyes open for a square bodied Sprite, primarily for the roll-up windows and "real" convertible top,
but was wondering if a late model (or any model for that matter) Sprite be towed with all 4 wheels on the ground ?
What are the limitations, if any, and what are some of the things to watch out for (in buying a car AND in towing)?

I built my V8 Healey, so I do know a little about Healeys, just not about Sprites.
https://ntahc.org/modifiedhealeys/Photos/1Moran/FullStoryAll1.html

Also, do they have enough "Oomph" to run an installed A/C system ?

Thanks in advance,

Tim

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Here's my thought

Not quite enough oomph to run an AC system, and very hard to keep engine heat out of the cockpit. It can not be flat towed without disconnecting the drive shaft.

But since you've already done an engine swap, why not put a small jap engine/gearbox in a sprite for reliable starts and flat towing capability, and maybe more hp for AC.

 

[jollyroger]

It can be towed with the drive shaft in. Tow it anywhere, no problem. Just put it in neutral and go. Won't hurt a thing. now if it had an automatic that would be another story.

 

[jollyroger]

If ya want a jap engine by a nice jap car. I did have an ac on my mini once. Kinda tough on the engine but it worked. I don't recommend it though.

 

[jlaird]

Agree with Jolly, towed Bugeye from Mich, to SC in neutral, no problems at all.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I'm still going to maintain that without motion on the first shaft, there is insufficient lubrication to tow flat. But, I'm not a "specialist".

There are many nice Jap engines... There aren't too many stylish Jap convertibles. My 2 cents.

 

[Cottontop]

Hey Trevor,

Thanks for the input.

For quite a while, I've considered doing Sprite swap. If I did a swap, I'd probably go with a V6 or an 8 and it would probably
take 6-12 months and cost about the same as buying a nice one.

The big problem with doing that is we want to drive it now and I've got about another 4-5 months in finishing up my
66 Mustang GT Fastback.

I've been told by several guys that the Sprite can be towed 4-down, but one of them, who pulls his Auto-X car all over
5 states, says that he over fills the transmission as insurance.

Heck, when I get the Mustang done, I may buy a Sprite tub and do a swap anyway....

Thanks again.

Tim

 

[tony barnhill]

We just returned from a 15,000 mile, 6-month long trip...we towed an MGB on an open trailer behind our RV. Some things I observed:

Guys who towed their cars on ground behind their RV's:

1. were screwed if they couldn't find an RV spot with long pull throughs as they couldn't back up & had to get out to disconnect their cars

2. had to get their wives to drive their disconnected car onto & off Alaska Marine Ferry because they couldn't back up inside the ferry

3. couldn't get into some of the tighter lots, parks, and sights because they couldn't back out or back to turn around in tight spots.

4. cars on all 4 wheels behind RV's on Alaska highway were filthy & their paint was trashed

We, on the other hand, with our MG on the trailer had none of those problems. Plus, the trailer kept the car high enough that it wasn't damaged by road debris....&, did I say, we used an open trailer

 

[Tullamore]

Yes if you were to pull your car on all fours it will be covered in oil and dirt in no time. It won't be pretty or good for the car and it will likely smell like gear oil forever.

Have you considered upgrading your RV to a model with toy hauler space in the back a sprite would fit back there no problem and keep it safe and clean.

 

[tony barnhill]

I've a friend who has one of those RV's with the rear compartment for motorcycles & other motorized toys....he keeps a Mini Cooper in it!

 

[DesertSprite]

I can't wait to retire.

 

[Matthew E. Herd]

That's freaking amazing! How big is the RV?

 

[tony barnhill]

Its one of those big bus things with 3 or 4 slideouts...

 

[jlaird]

Oh the half million dollar one, LOL.

 

[tony barnhill]

Thing is a monster...he doesn't even keep it at home - has a storage place where he keeps it!

 

[200mph]

I flat tow our MINI Cooper S (2003) behind the motorcoach, using a Blue Ox Acclaim coach-mounted towbar (quick disconnect), and a Blue Ox baseplate that is bolted to the MINI's front subframe with attaching tabs that poke through the lower grille. The coach doesnt even know its back there, and you CAN back up slowly, as long as you stay in a straight line.
Its almost an LBC, and the MINI makes a great dinghy! Keeping the coach and selling the MINI. Any interest?

 

[tony barnhill]

[ QUOTE ]
...and you CAN back up slowly, as long as you stay in a straight line.

[/ QUOTE ]

So, show me an RV park where you can back straight into a space...I've traveled the US, VCanada, & Alaska over & have never found one that I can remember!

heck, show me anywhere that you can back in a straight line...

 

[RobSelina]

Based on how rough it seems to be for a car to get flat towed behind an RV (the paint gets chipped up badly, they get kind of sooty and dirty, etc) and also how limiting the midgets are in terms of weather and access (dirt roads, steep access ramps, etc), I'm going to make an odd suggestion for this forum: get a Jeep wranger.

They're so much more utilitarian for your purpose while still being rather fun to drive in their own right. At the end of the day, if the jeep is filthy, has chipped paint, etc, it wouldn't get to me like it would if it were a classic, and you can go so many more places in one and it'll generally be less hastle IMO....

 

[Matthew E. Herd]

Good advice. They're much more practical for something like that. Small, too!

 

[RobSelina]

oh, btw, the limitation for flat towing is the location of the oil pump for the transmission or transfercase (in the case of 4x4 vehicles). If the oil pump is driven by the output of the tranny/t-case, then when flat towed, you will get fluid circulation. If it's driven by the input, then you're starving your output shaft of oil. You can do it for short distances but then you have to drive the car around a parking lot to lube up the output again....