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Trailering

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With the 2 seater having a shorter distance from dash to rear shroud than our 4 seater BN4, I don't see why this would be a problem, unless you question the snaps ability to hold themselves like they were designed, or if the tonneau is excessively loose. If the tonneau is fit properly and your tenax snaps are in good working order, I don't see why this would act any differently than if towing it with the top up. Would you worry that the top would come loose as well while trailering? We towed our BN4 to Canada (for the conclave) with the top up and never thought twice about. Once there the top was put down for nice weather driving and for the trip back were to lazy to put the top back up (BN4's are a pain in the #*s to put up) so the tonneau was installed for the trailer ride home to Louisiana. Never had any problems and never thought there would be, it is designed to be driven in place.
 
Thanks Patrick, I feel that the Jeep is a marginal tow vehicle but safe when driven conservatively with my towing package and it does have trailer brakes. The towing capacity is within spec. for the Jeep as well; my key concern is the mountains; I may learn something about trailering in the mountains I don't want to learn.
Thanks again, you have posed excellent questions,
Jim (Red Rover)
 
Thank you nealeyblue, glad the tonneau worked out for you and happy to hear of your actual experience; this was my hope and it is appreciated.
Thanks again,
Jim (Red Rover)
 
Thanks Randy; others are agreeing with you. Your "M" looks terrific; can't wait to see it at the Homestead. While I have you, can you advise as to whether the door restraints are painted or not and if not, how are they finished.
Thanks again,
Jim (Red Rover)
 
Wheel nets are great. Never had a problem with them. The angle down from the tire on some cars may rub the edge of the fender. So placement on the trailer is critical.
Jerry
 
DerekJ said:
... As Marv says your car doesn't have a tonneau bar or battens.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys, learning every day. Sorry for the confusion.

Hans
 
Jim--

I have on a few occasions flat-towed my 100 for distances of 100-200 miles with the tonneau cover on with no problem whatsoever.

BTW opinions differ on how to tie down a car but I do a LOT of towing of my race cars and consensus is to not cross the straps--if you consider the geometry you'll see that in the event one strap let's go there is more slack created in the remaining strap than if they are not crossed.

Also be sure to tie down the axles (or wheels) and not the chassis so that the body will be able to move on the suspension.
 
All good tips, but nobody has mentioned one (1) thing: keep the transmission in neutral and use only the handbrake.

I didn't know any better, and once when towing my Healey between Breaux Bridge and Shreveport, Louisiana back in 1986, I left the XMSN in A-gear, and the constant rocking broke one (1) tooth off of the pinion gear. Fortunately (...?...) it happened on the way home, after an autocross event, and not before. First time I drove once it was off the trailer, it was immediately obvious that something was wrong, just making a different noise from the rear end. I know it didn't happen at the event, because we were driving the car around S'port afterwards, and besides, if it had broke that tooth off while under (a driving) load, it wouldn't have just fallen to the bottom of the case__there would've been collateral damage!

Flat-tow your cars with the XMSN in neutral, and (a well adjusted) hand brake pulled up.
 
No one has mentioned abrasion yet. Regardless of how well your cover fits there will be movement along the edges of the cover, especially at road speed. Unless the weather is inclement I would tow with the car open and install the cover at stops along the way to keep prying eyes and parking lot dirt out.
 
I'd be nervous now :nightmare: Before the resto, it wouldn't have mattered one bit. In fact I towed it 400 miles with no top or tonneau - with a Dodge Dakota. No problems with the tow vehicle or the Healey.


IMG_0250.jpg
 
Jim, When I would tow my 100 behind a Jeep Cherokee I would put the top and side screens on it. I was concerned about the Tonneau damaging the paint as you are. It would stress it considerably as a semi would pass. My trailer does have a stone shield on the front and a solid floor. I had the trailer made (by ATC in Indiana) to fit my car with extra long ramps, with normal ramps it would drag the exhaust on the way up. If you are borrowing or renting a trailer you might want to check it out before you go.
 
What are the benefits vs. risks? I take everything out and off the car when trailering. There are enough other things to worry about.
 
Thanks WME; that is a key concern, apart from the possibility of rain and paint abuse from a tonneau, as I am renting a U-haul car hauler. I have fabricated a couple of 2X6 stacked ramps in hopes of reducing the angles for loading and unloading. I have found a steel bed trailer with a long beaver tail which I think is going to work for me but I want to test the concept with a rental before I buy.
Thanks again for your input, I may give ATC a call.
Jim "Red Rover"
 
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