Towing/Trailering help please

[E55 Max]

In January I am lending my 1979 Aston V8 to a friend for his wedding, I am his best man and will drive him to the church in it, then he will drive away in it later.
The plan is this, to tow the Aston from Northumberland to Kent using a Disco 3 and double axle trailer. Use car for wedding and then the missus is off to our place in France for a bit so I will drive the Aston North again.
So the questions

1) Will I be breaking any laws WRT weight etc doing this?
2) I have wheel straps, do I just put the Aston in Neutral and put the handbrake on, or use Park?
3) any other business.....have I forgotten anything?

Thanks

Max

[brakedwell]

You could start by reading This

[JaseB]

Disco 3 will tow 3500kg and the car is around 1800kg so you're fine weight wise. Straps, handbrake and park would be my suggestion. The car won't move with the straps tight.

Edited to add - unless your trailer is over 1700kg!

Other than that ensure the trailer is braked (makes life much easier) and all the lights work before setting off(!), maybe take some advice on how much weight to have balanced over the towbar eg my experience towing caterhams is 50kg is about right for a big estate car, leave a nice wide turn out of junctions and have extra change ready if you're going on the M6 toll!

Edited by JaseB on Wednesday 30th November 15:57

[E55 Max]

Thanks Guys, just wanted to check! I have a pre 1997 license, so seem to be fine on that count.

[DB9VolanteDriver]

Automatic transmissions should never be placed in park since the bouncing around on the trailer can (I repeat 'can') damage the locking pawl. Leave in neutral with handbrake applied. Remember, if the straps fail, having the car in park isn't going to save you...

[cptsideways]

Make sure you use the looped straps, 4 of them, make sure its tight & properly balanced eg 75-100kg nose weight.

Its a big risk loosing your towing virginity with an Aston on the back!

[E55 Max]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

Automatic transmissions should never be placed in park since the bouncing around on the trailer can (I repeat 'can') damage the locking pawl. Leave in neutral with handbrake applied. Remember, if the straps fail, having the car in park isn't going to save you...

Thanks, that is exactly what I was after, when the car was delivered to me this is what happened, so it never got off the trailer!

cptsideways said:

Make sure you use the looped straps, 4 of them, make sure its tight & properly balanced eg 75-100kg nose weight.

Its a big risk loosing your towing virginity with an Aston on the back!

I have towed many things of various sizes, but never my P&J. Just covering all bases on this one!

[jagracer]

Just make sure the trailer has a GVW to cope with the Aston.

[E55 Max]

jagracer said:

Just make sure the trailer has a GVW to cope with the Aston.

Trailer is rated to 3500kg so is fine.

[krisdelta]

E55 Max said:

Trailer is rated to 3500kg so is fine.

You could tow the disco on that with the Aston!

[callevascm]

Just a quick thought on the nose weight, the tow ball plate should provide some guidance, 70Kg?. But just adjusting the Centre of Gravity, moving the Aston on the trailer to get it right will make a significant difference to the stability of the rig. Enjoy!

[JaseB]

Another thought does LR recommend higher rear tyre pressures than normal when towing? The car we used had to have a good few extra psi.

That and make sure the trailer pressures are up to spec.