Flat towing

[Greynomad]

I guess it’s all down to your experiences behind the wheel.
Towing 1.3 tonnes behind an 8.5 tonne m/h is no big deal.
If the weights were closer, I might have a different view.
I vividly remember towing my late father’s 10.5ft van behind a Kombi from Newcastle to Melbourne.
Now THAT was ‘interesting’...
Both caravan weight & motor back there combined to encourage oversteer on every corner tighter than freeway radius.

[T1 Terry]

I guess it’s all down to your experiences behind the wheel.
Towing 1.3 tonnes behind an 8.5 tonne m/h is no big deal.
If the weights were closer, I might have a different view.
I vividly remember towing my late father’s 10.5ft van behind a Kombi from Newcastle to Melbourne.
Now THAT was ‘interesting’...
Both caravan weight & motor back there combined to encourage oversteer on every corner tighter than freeway radius.

Poor Kombi, and it would have no doubt been illegal because I doubt you had a brake controller up by the driver position in the Kombi or the van had electric brakes for that matter. Most likely over ride brakes and I think in the days before electric brakes etc the ratio was the towed vehicle could be no more than 2/3rds the weight of the tow vehicle. A kombi doesn't weigh that much so it would have needed to be very light van to be 2/3rds the weight

T1 Terry

[El Gringo]

Reminds me of our family holiday in 1969 - Mk2 Zephyr towing a 30' van.
Was fully loaded with a family of 5 and van with clothes and provisions for the trip.
From sydney down to Philip Is and back for about 3 weeks.
Absolutely no issues, but don't think I would risk it now...


Cheers,

[Busman]

Be flat out finding a Mk 2 Zephyr that hasn't rusted away anyhow ! We used to live on the beach and there was always one of the damn things at the local panel show getting rust bogged.

[El Gringo]

Be flat out finding a Mk 2 Zephyr that hasn't rusted away anyhow ! We used to live on the beach and there was always one of the damn things at the local panel show getting rust bogged.

Yes they did have a few rust issues - amongst others too, gearbox, front suspension etc.
However ours was a very nice one.
Parents gave it to me as my first car the year after - I wrote it off the year after that...
Dad was not amused.

Doubt you will find many cars now though from the late 50's (or 60's, 70's or even 80's) that haven't got extensive rust issues.

Cheers,

[Greynomad]

I guess it’s all down to your experiences behind the wheel.
Towing 1.3 tonnes behind an 8.5 tonne m/h is no big deal.
If the weights were closer, I might have a different view.
I vividly remember towing my late father’s 10.5ft van behind a Kombi from Newcastle to Melbourne.
Now THAT was ‘interesting’...
Both caravan weight & motor back there combined to encourage oversteer on every corner tighter than freeway radius.

Poor Kombi, and it would have no doubt been illegal because I doubt you had a brake controller up by the driver position in the Kombi or the van had electric brakes for that matter. Most likely over ride brakes and I think in the days before electric brakes etc the ratio was the towed vehicle could be no more than 2/3rds the weight of the tow vehicle. A kombi doesn't weigh that much so it would have needed to be very light van to be 2/3rds the weight

T1 Terry

Yes, override brake only.
Passed by – and overtaken by - several cars with blue lights... no-one paid any attention to us.
Dad towed it with an HT Holden ute.

[Mrcoolabah1au]

Yes remember it well nice car only had brake problems new shoes

[pet-els]

Back in the late 50's I drove a tow truck, I picked up a Vanguard ute with Caravan [heavy ply one] at Belmont NSW and towed the lot to Merrylands then the ute to Liverpool for gearbox repairs.
My brothers ute and my caravan.

PeterH

[T1 Terry]

Ford Zephyr, Targa Tasmania, head phones on or sound up loud, they might have been old but they still went well a sounded spectacular when modified https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdTXsMvcIs0

T1 Terry

[Swisslulu]

Lesley, do you know, or could you find out please, what mods they have done to the Jimny so it can be flat towed?

Spoke to our friends and a “dog clutch” it is. Check out the part here http://www.suzisport.com/shop/suzuki-4w ... zard-unit/

Part cost is around $2000 and our friend, who is quite handy, will be installing it himself.