• Hi Guest!
    If you appreciate British Car Forum and our 25 years of supporting British car enthusiasts with technical and anicdotal information, collected from our thousands of great members, please support us with a low-cost subscription. You can become a supporting member for less than the dues of most car clubs.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

TR2/3/3A Trailering a TR3[A]

Share this page

PeterK

PeterK

Yoda
Offline
Has anyone used a U-Haul car trailer to tow a TR3?
It seems that the tracks are about 1" too wide for the TR3 (41")? Anybody with experience that can help?

We're going to pick up a 3A this weekend and I need some options. Driving it is not an option because I don't have (can't get temporary) plates yet.

I have a 6x10 equipment trailer that might handle it but it's only rated at 1800lbs and the 3 would hang way over the back. We need to haul 200 miles.

Thanks, PeterK
 
Peter,
Why not just strap it on a U-Haul 2-wheel dolly. Just make sure that you throw her in neutral. I have a friend who tows his concours MGB around like that from show to show with no apparent problems. Some say there will be a problem with the differential but I have been told no by others. My TR6 will no longer fit on a U-Haul car transporter because the ride height has been lowered so much that I can't get on the ramp. I have used the dolly once and don't see a problem. Maybe some others out there will know of a better reason not.

Bill
 
The problem with the 2-wheel dolly is that the track is still a bit narrow. It can be done, but the tires will JUST fit - maybe even ride the rims of the tracks. Unless the tracks fit well, the best way is a flat, wood deck equipment trailer.

BTW - this is the same reason most front end alignment shops aren't much help, either!

Mickey
 
I have use a 2 wheel dolly twice for mine. One was and UHaul and the other was from Rider. They are too wide for the 3's just try and center the car on the ramps. The wheels will be right on the insde of the wheel placement. Strap the wheels down tight and check after a few miles and check everytime you stop. I have had one wheel strap come lose each time I use the dolly after a few miles. So check soon and get tight. The last time I used a dolly I drove around a 1000 miles to get the car home.

Don
 
I rented a U-Haul tandom axle car trailer when I brought my TR3B back to Kansas City from north of Detroit. I was concerned that it would be too narrow, but it fit fine. Now I've got wire wheels, which I understand gives a TR3 a slightly wider track. Towed behind my 3.9 V6 Dakota with no problems.

Don
 
I have used the u-haul with my TR3 with no problems. It _just_ barely fits. Seems a little scary but the inside of the tires rub right up against the lip of the tracks. Once cranked down the car never moved on a 2500 mile trip.
 
You are right, the TR3 is just under 12' long. U-haul does rent an open trailer, but your car may be too narrow for its tracks as I seem to remember a raised deck in the middle. I use a Pace 6X12' enclosed trailer to transport my Seven. The trailer's ramp opening is 57" and my early S3 is 55" wide and just over 11' long and weighs 1,200 lbs. If you know of anyone who will lend you their 6X12 w/ramp you can take your TR3 cross country with no problem.
 
Boy are you bringing back bad memories.

The guy who bought my TR-3 in 1986 used a U-haul trailer and it went on OK. Don't remember it being too narrow.
 
John,

Actually the TR3 is 151" (12'7") so I would need a 6x14 enclosed trailer ! Based on all the info, I think that I'll try a U-Haul instead of my 6x10 flatbed. Thanks for the help. Peter
 
Peter - If you decide to use a dolly, and if the TR3A has an overdrive, you will have to disconnect the driveshaft. It's best just in front of the diff. The reason for this is that the lubrication inside an "A" type overdrive requires that it be driven by the input shaft. If it is driven by the rear wheels, you risk damaging the overdrive. If it's a normal 4-speed TR, there should be no problem.

Don Elliott, Original Owner, 1958 TR3A, TS 27489 LO

https://www.britishcarforum.com/ubbthreads/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/1977/cat/517
 
Peter, I ran into the some problem your experiencing when I purchased my TR3 and had to trailer it 250 miles home. I ended up renting a uhaul open carrier with a rear fold down door. I used metal car ramps to get it into the trailer and used old tires in the front and rear with nylon hold downs to stablize it in the trailer. The carrier I rented was long enough and the rear of the car did not stick out. I enclosed a picture of the car on the trailer. I didn't have any trouble once I got the car on the carrier. Good luck
 

Attachments

  • 136224-TR3TRAILER.jpg
    136224-TR3TRAILER.jpg
    8.5 KB · Views: 180
[ QUOTE ]
Peter - If you decide to use a dolly, and if the TR3A has an overdrive, you will have to disconnect the driveshaft. It's best just in front of the diff. The reason for this is that the lubrication inside an "A" type overdrive requires that it be driven by the input shaft.
Don Elliott, Original Owner, 1958 TR3A, TS 27489 LO

[/ QUOTE ]
Actually, the type A overdrive pump is driven from the output shaft. There really is no problem towing with the driveshaft connected.
D
 
Back
Top