Jump to content


Photo
- - - - -

Towing A 1977 Mini On A Tow Frame, After Market Eye Bolts?


  • Please log in to reply
15 replies to this topic

#1 2kwrx

2kwrx

    Starting My Mini Up

  • Noobies
  • Pip
  • 2 posts
  • Location: Wellington

Posted 11 September 2019 - 10:39 AM

Hi guys, my wife has a 1977 Mini that we want to tow quite some distance behind a ute. We have purchased a towing frame which I am having modified to fit the width of the towing eye bolts on the Mini. I have heard that the standard eye bolts are “made of chocolate” and will not be strong enough for the job, so I am looking for after market ones. Can anyone recommend specific ones that would handle a rigid tow frame? Some I have seen online say “only for rope towing”, then there are aluminium ones, but would they have enough strength? Any advice greatly appreciated.

Kevin

#2 nicklouse

nicklouse

    Moved Into The Garage

  • TMF+ Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 17,900 posts
  • Location: Not Yorkshire
  • Local Club: Anonyme Miniholiker

Posted 11 September 2019 - 11:09 AM

as towing on an A frame in the UK requires the brakes to be connected and working it is not that common. also it is an easy way to trash a Minis Gearbox.

 

Back to your question never ever seen any. but some longer bolts (suitable grade) a spacer and some lifting eyes should be up to the job.



#3 DeadSquare

DeadSquare

    Up Into Fourth

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,733 posts
  • Location: Herefordshire
  • Local Club: Unipower GT Owners Club

Posted 11 September 2019 - 11:59 AM

Look at the markings on the head of the bolt, and look them up on gurgle.

 

In my youth, they were highish tensile.



#4 gazza82

gazza82

    Up Into Fourth

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,902 posts
  • Location: Bucks
  • Local Club: TMF+

Posted 11 September 2019 - 01:08 PM

I think I'd be more concerned about the gearbox ... it's been discussed before and the concensus is "don't" ...

#5 MiniMadRacer

MiniMadRacer

    One Carb Or Two?

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 847 posts
  • Location: Essex

Posted 11 September 2019 - 01:27 PM

Out of interest how would it "knacker" the  Gearbox,  unless its auto box?



#6 nicklouse

nicklouse

    Moved Into The Garage

  • TMF+ Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 17,900 posts
  • Location: Not Yorkshire
  • Local Club: Anonyme Miniholiker

Posted 11 September 2019 - 01:31 PM

Out of interest how would it "knacker" the  Gearbox,  unless its auto box?

http://www.theminifo...-to-tow-a-mini/



#7 MiniMadRacer

MiniMadRacer

    One Carb Or Two?

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 847 posts
  • Location: Essex

Posted 11 September 2019 - 01:47 PM

Thanks Nick, you learn (ok I learn) something new every day. I didn't know that, but it does make sense now - cheers



#8 DeadSquare

DeadSquare

    Up Into Fourth

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,733 posts
  • Location: Herefordshire
  • Local Club: Unipower GT Owners Club

Posted 11 September 2019 - 04:37 PM

Lots of impoverished racers used to tow their Minis to race meetings.

 

Some took out the plugs and stuck it in top gear and older engines were inclined to pump a bit of oil on the journey and needed a cloth held over the plug holes with a bungee,  but plenty of choke and N8 plugs usually worked to start them.

 

One chap, who used to strip his engine every week !, used to drive a wedge under the clutch arm.


Edited by DeadSquare, 11 September 2019 - 04:46 PM.


#9 2kwrx

2kwrx

    Starting My Mini Up

  • Noobies
  • Pip
  • 2 posts
  • Location: Wellington

Posted 11 September 2019 - 07:23 PM

My Mini mechanic has advised that during the trip, we should regularly detach the Mini and drive it for a bit to protect the gearbox, so we will do that. Here in New Zealand it’s not a legal issue to tow the Mini on an A-Frame, it just becomes a trailer. So my only real issue is suitable mounting points for the A-Frame.

Kevin

Edited by 2kwrx, 11 September 2019 - 07:23 PM.


#10 CityEPete

CityEPete

    Up Into Fourth

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,920 posts
  • Location: On my soapbox....

Posted 11 September 2019 - 08:45 PM

Could you get some kind of skate made instead, front wheels up and strapped down to something with it's own wheels. I sure it would be nicer to tow and less chance of damaging the mini?

#11 cal844

cal844

    Crazy About Mini's

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 9,482 posts
  • Location: Ballingry, Fife
  • Local Club: TFMOC

Posted 11 September 2019 - 09:32 PM

A towing dolly would be perfect but a little bulkier than an A frame

#12 DeadSquare

DeadSquare

    Up Into Fourth

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,733 posts
  • Location: Herefordshire
  • Local Club: Unipower GT Owners Club

Posted 11 September 2019 - 11:05 PM

If it can be driven and you are prepared to drive it parts of the way, why can't you drive it all the way ?



#13 Rorf

Rorf

    One Carb Or Two?

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 857 posts
  • Location: Cape Town

Posted 12 September 2019 - 05:27 AM

Remove the half shafts :lol:



#14 DeadSquare

DeadSquare

    Up Into Fourth

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,733 posts
  • Location: Herefordshire
  • Local Club: Unipower GT Owners Club

Posted 12 September 2019 - 06:27 AM

Remove the half shafts :lol:

 

I think the wheels might come off that idea.



#15 MiniMadRacer

MiniMadRacer

    One Carb Or Two?

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 847 posts
  • Location: Essex

Posted 12 September 2019 - 07:57 AM

I guess you could take the D shafts out and put "spare" CV joints back in the hubs to stop anyones wheel falling off and wheel

 bearings collapsing






0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users