How to get the car onto a flatbed trailer?
Discussion
My '84 Turbo Esprit is coming out of winter storage; I haven't driven or started it for an embarrasingly long time. So, I want to take it to my mechanic, but I do not want to start it for two very good reasons: 1) the timing belt is seven (!) years old; didn't realize it's been that long and 2) I'm concerned about the carb gaskets and fuel leaking onto the ignition bits.
No one I know has the nice simple low-to-the-ground trailer that you can push the car onto with ramps. So, I must resort to a towing service, but their flat bed trailers are high off the ground and consequently must tilt at a steep angle - so the car can't be pushed up onto the trailer.
The towing winch could be attached to a "normal" car, but I know of no point on the Esprit where one could attach a cable and not have the cable damage the bodywork.
Thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions.
-Dave
No one I know has the nice simple low-to-the-ground trailer that you can push the car onto with ramps. So, I must resort to a towing service, but their flat bed trailers are high off the ground and consequently must tilt at a steep angle - so the car can't be pushed up onto the trailer.
The towing winch could be attached to a "normal" car, but I know of no point on the Esprit where one could attach a cable and not have the cable damage the bodywork.
Thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions.
-Dave
Dave:
When I brought my Esprit up the country (I know, probably the same distance you drive for a pint of milk
) I hired a trailer that I could tow with my van. It had a flatbed that tilted up at the rear and a winch.
I was able to tie the winch cable round the chassis 'hoop' below the transmission and wind the car onto the trailer backwards. No ground clearance problems at all.
Ian
When I brought my Esprit up the country (I know, probably the same distance you drive for a pint of milk
) I hired a trailer that I could tow with my van. It had a flatbed that tilted up at the rear and a winch. I was able to tie the winch cable round the chassis 'hoop' below the transmission and wind the car onto the trailer backwards. No ground clearance problems at all.
Ian
Don't know how much difference there is in the ride height between your car and my S4s but I recently had mine towed on a tilt bed. With 2x6's that the driver carried on his truck placed under the front wheels it was no problem at all to get on. We also have a tow eye in the front grill but I take it your 84 does not...
Jim
Jim
Thank you for the replies; I was able to get the problem solved.
My mechanic was able to recommend a specialist towing company; their equipment consisted of a device that clamped the rear wheels tightly (front and back of the tire) and then raised the rear of the car. For the front wheels, a special two-wheeled dolly was placed alongside each of the wheels and then a lever was used to raise each side. This enabled each of the front wheels to rest in the dolly. With the rear wheels further secured to the lift by a wide strap, the car could be towed without placing any stress on the body nor any wheels touching the ground.
My Esprit is now getting its 30,000 mile service - not a bad idea for a 21 year old car.
-Dave
p.s. Although my neighborhood is still rural enough for farms and fields, I live only three blocks from work and only three blocks from restaurants and shopping - so I usually walk :-) Still, the Esprit is no fun in neighborhood traffic and begs to run with other cars on long tours.
>> Edited by mr50bmg on Saturday 12th March 06:26
My mechanic was able to recommend a specialist towing company; their equipment consisted of a device that clamped the rear wheels tightly (front and back of the tire) and then raised the rear of the car. For the front wheels, a special two-wheeled dolly was placed alongside each of the wheels and then a lever was used to raise each side. This enabled each of the front wheels to rest in the dolly. With the rear wheels further secured to the lift by a wide strap, the car could be towed without placing any stress on the body nor any wheels touching the ground.
My Esprit is now getting its 30,000 mile service - not a bad idea for a 21 year old car.
-Dave
p.s. Although my neighborhood is still rural enough for farms and fields, I live only three blocks from work and only three blocks from restaurants and shopping - so I usually walk :-) Still, the Esprit is no fun in neighborhood traffic and begs to run with other cars on long tours.
>> Edited by mr50bmg on Saturday 12th March 06:26
Hey Dave,
Hope you don't live in the PRC or you will have to change your Nickname.
Just for future reference: When I bought mine out in the PRC, I towed it home (1800 miles) on my car hauler trailer. I got it up there by backing it up the ramps. Cleared without any major problems. But then my 89 non-SE may have more clearance than other cars. I know I can get out of my driveway at times without bottoming out when the Camry can't.
Dr.Hess
Hope you don't live in the PRC or you will have to change your Nickname.
Just for future reference: When I bought mine out in the PRC, I towed it home (1800 miles) on my car hauler trailer. I got it up there by backing it up the ramps. Cleared without any major problems. But then my 89 non-SE may have more clearance than other cars. I know I can get out of my driveway at times without bottoming out when the Camry can't.
Dr.Hess
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