22 replies to this topic

[chris2009]

My mini decided to give up on me on the way to college monday morning and has been stranded there since. I've got a thread in problems and technical called "I think i may have burnt a valve" which is all i can put it down to until i get her home. Any suggestions on how i can get a trailer or how to tow it before all thats left of it is the shell? i dont want to risk driving it home as it may cause even more damage.

All help very much appreciated

[Bungle]

you drive a classic car with no break down cover

[Nick '91]

Towing would be easiest, try and get someone experienced to tow you with you in the car braking etc, the idea is the keep the rope as tight/taught as possible eg if the tow car stops are some traffic lights dont roll up close to him, generally something will happen if its a long distance so I hope your good at knots, also make sure you tie the rope to something solid, eg subframe.

EDIT: I also drive a classic car without breakdown, I worked out Id have to breakdown alot to match the cost of breakdown cover instead of a couple of drinks as a thank you for picking me up.

Edited by Nick '91, 11 February 2010 - 04:32 PM.

[Bungle]

you must drink a lot

do you know how much it will cost you to get recovered from a motorway ?

[gregh55]

very cocky reply sorry

Edited by gregh55, 11 February 2010 - 04:48 PM.

[chris2009]

Breakdown cover really wasn't worth it when i saw my insurance quote. Im not too worried about towing it back its getting the tow ropes and also i would be towing it off a 4x4 so if i attached it to the subframe it would end up damaging the front panel which ive only just had repaired. I was told you can get hold of mini towing eyes?

[chris2009]

No idea its not on a motorway or road its in my college car park which is on a local airport about 4 miles away from my house.

[ukcooper]

Phone your local little srapyard and ask them for a quote as they have low loaders, flatbeds and ask for a quote to get it home.

As for towing the ropes only for getting you out of trouble tow bar and a frame also on the banned list as far as ive been told.

[Guess-Works.com]

you can get towing eyes, they replace the bolt which holds the front teardrop on the front subframe...

and use a pole not a rope, it's safer...

[Kam]

You can get some elasticated tow rope, you still get a good tug but not as bad as just rope.

Yes you can get some tow eyes which replace the front teardrop bolts, theres two kind so you just need to make sure you get the right type, not sure what year your car is but mines a '93 and I had to get the later injection ones and these were used on a '78 clubman aswell, the other ones didnt fit, I think the shank was a bit shorter or something??

[chris2009]

tow bar and a frame also on the banned list?

[Nick '91]

As chris says breakdown cover isnt worth it when you see your insurance quote, infact when I saw mine nothing seemed worth it. Had a quick read about breakdown on the motorwayand as always it seems extortionate but of no real bother, as I spend everything and more then I have as a student because I enjoy driving, so strangely 99% of the time I will leave the motorways to the repmobiles and leave earlier to arrive with a smile on my face.

However it is a risk I do take on the rare occasion I go on a motorway, however its nothing like the cost of a claim on my insurance, also the rules where a little hazy however if you break down on a motorway can you recover with your own trailer?

If you get an eye how/where would you fit it so it wont affect the front panel on tow?

[mk3 Cooper S]

If it isn't cooking and has oil pressure just drive it. Slowly !!!!

[Guess-Works.com]

As for breakdown cover... AA roadside + recovery, for £70 per annum, bit of a no brainer really...

that's < 20p a day, I bet you loose more than that down the back of the sofa, or in McD's

[chris2009]

Its an 86. I'm in college tomorro and ill try and beg them to use there trailers or its off out to get my hands on a towing eye. There's a mini specialist near by which ive just asked if they can pick it up and they can tomorrow but i was trying to do it cost free nevermind keep pilling the money into her!