Question for A-frame users, MASERATI JOY

[Mr_Bo11ox]

What odds would you give on a hideous accident if someone was to use a Rover 220SLi (136hp, 1180kg empty) to A-frame a Maserati 425 (also 1180kg amazingly enough) over a significant distance?

[Guest]

It'll be absolutely fine!

 

Incidentally, could you leave me the 929 stacker in your will?

[autofive]

you coming north mr B?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Maybe!! If i do, I will of course bring you a couple of aluminium 'desk ornaments'

[autofive]

Maybe!! If i do, I will of course bring you a couple of aluminium 'desk ornaments'

 

fair enough, i wasnt thinking of them though

 

pm me if you want a hand to load up

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Cheers A5, i'll bear that in mind. We'll see what happens....

[Rod/b]

Ignoring the weight issue, isn't a K-series engine a bit too rev-happy and lacking in low down torque for the task in hand?

 

Probably. Good job he hasn't got a K series.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Yeah i'm not worried about failing to make it up hills, i'm sure we'll sail up 'em. Its coming down the other side thats bothering me!

[Guest Len H]

Ignoring the weight issue, isn't a K-series engine a bit too rev-happy and lacking in low down torque for the task in hand?

 

The K-series is pretty grunty as small multivalve DOHC engines go actually.

 

I'll take good care of your Subaru 1.8 GL wagon Bo11.

[andrew e]

Should be fine* depends how free rolling the Italian Cortina is. I watched some fool (Andrew353W look away now) do the equal weight match Xantia automagic pull the landlord spec SD1 away from my house last week perfectly* (well to be honest I thought Torsten might have a post here saying Xantia autobox and tailgate wanted).

[Andrew353w]

Take it nice and easy, stick to main roads and motorways as much as possible and read the road as far ahead as you can. Move off from junctions carefully and accelerate gently. Indicate in plenty of time and use PROPER hand signals as well. Wear a yellow hi-vis jacket, thus making you appear confident and capable (which I'm sure you are anyway!) and run with your dipped beam lights on throughout. Take an electric tyre pump with you just in case and remember to check the strap tension after a few miles of towing, as they take a few miles to settle down. Having checked the lights on the board are OK don't forget to secure the lead from the plug to the rear of the towed car; I find putting it under the wipers helps but a bag of cable ties might be handy, together with a couple of elastic spiders, to attach the number plate on the back of the towed car.

 

Any more advice, just PM me! I've done dozens and I'm happy to help if you need it!

[Cavcraft]

Hate to suggest others in without them knowing but didn't I read L.T has just scored a Volvo 240? That'd be absolutely ideal for the job assuming it's got a tow bar.

[Lankytim]

Yes I have indeed, and it would PWN a Maz Bi Turbot!

 

Unfortunately,

 

1) Its in Bristol and will need to A frame itself back to Stoke (I'm getting Shiply quotes as we speak!)

2) It wont run because of some sort of electrical fault!

 

As far as A framing it with the Rover, I think it would be OK, but I wouldn't like to do it myself. I'd be shitting myself all the way- I can see the rear end of the rover being too light and the whole thing jack-knifing if you had to brake hard.

 

See you on ROAD WARS Bol!

[Tonka]

I've used one quite a few times now and as I understand it you can tow legally tow 85% of the towing vehicle's weight providing that you have the braking system installed on the vehicle being towed effectively turning it into a 4 wheel braked trailer which requires 4 legal tyres, working lights, triangle reflectors etc unless the towed vehicle is 750 kg or less (the limit for an unbraked trailer) in which case the brakes are not required.

 

What you need to consider is how effective your vehicle's brakes will be when you are trying to stop twice it's normal weight, sorry to go on about it but I borrow the frame off a mate who is ex-AA and always reads me the riot act regarding towing safely and legally.

[Cavcraft]

If you can borrow a towbar etc Mr B you're more than welcome to borrow the Cavalier if you need to.

[nigel bickle]

Legal? Probably not..

 

Safe.? I'd think so -if you're careful.

 

They're strong enough for much worse- depends on your ''skills' ,really

[Pete-M]

How far away is the Maserati? I'll a-frame it with the Jeep if you chuck the gas in!

[barrett]

Wait, so you're actually gonna get a Maser then? Top bloody work. Don't let me down.

[garethj]

I've got a Volvo 740 estate with towbar sitting in Bedfordshire that you're welcome to use. Just in case the trip directly north wasn't complicated enough, like

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Yo Pete M! You could be my saviour here, that sounds like a potentially ACE solution.

 

I have bought that crunchy blue 425 off eBay:

 

 

Its a bit of a trek as its up in the North east, 150 miles according to GOOGLE MAPZ, right on Scaryoldcortina and Autofive's manor!

[cort16]

Nice one mr B. That Mazer needs someone like yourself with some quality mig skillz. Hopefully it'll be as silent as a haddock once it's up and running.

[CIH]

Yo Pete M! You could be my saviour here, that sounds like a potentially ACE solution.

 

I have bought that crunchy blue 425 off eBay:

 

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqV,!g0E3u ... g~~_12.JPG

 

Its a bit of a trek as its up in the North east, 150 miles according to GOOGLE MAPZ, right on Scaryoldcortina and Autofive's manor!

 

told the Mrs yet ?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

No, i'm developing a strategy for that at the moment

[Guest]

Give her a couple of quid and tell her to get something nice.

[Guest]

look at those seats - straight out of the DFS catalogue in 1985. (Yes they had a sale on )

Be interesting to see how you go with this one.

[autofive]

how about

 

" wow (or similar expression) i just scored a supercar for the price of a second hand kia pride - im going to have to sell something , i must have it"

 

N.B. im going to have to sell something means absolutely what you want it to mean.

[barrett]

No, i'm developing a strategy for that at the moment

 

Despite being a woman, I'm sure she has a vague notion of what a Maserati is - ie an expensive, refined Italian supercar to rival Ferrari. She should count herself lucky that she'll be able to be driven around* in such an exquisite machine.

 

 

 

*eventually, maybe

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I must say, it is a car that i've always fancied, except for a period after i test drove one once and found it to be utterly, hideously awful to drive. However that was sufficiently long ago that I have now deleted it from my memory, and if reminded of it, I tell myself that it was a shit example (it was, later appearing in the 2007 PPC £999 challenge getting thraped to death).

 

Unlike this example which is clearly excellent, hence the price of £465.

[Pete-M]

Yo Pete M! You could be my saviour here, that sounds like a potentially ACE solution.

 

I have bought that crunchy blue 425 off eBay

 

You mad bugger. Yeah, I'd be up for that.

[pompei]

If all else fails you can borrow my Fronterror although that will involve a detour to the Lincolnshire plains.