Mike
I have always been wary of doing this on early cars. It all hinges
around the state of the Steering Box.
One is expecting the side pull exerted by the towing vehicle to spin the
steering wheel. This action taking place in the steering box; not
designed for this 'reverse' action.
I have no concerns with the later Cam Gears boxes fitted with needle
roller peg assemblies. I also don't feel too uncomfortable with the
solid peg Cam Gears boxes as fitted to BN2 and early 6 six cylinder
cars.
My concern is the Burman box fitted to BN1. If the peg is in very good
order then perhaps we are OK but many are slightly chipped or worn and
may not follow the towing car easily. A few very early BN1s were fitted
with an inferior single ball race peg. Personally I would not even try
this.
Perhaps one should jack up the car before setting out on the road and
check how easily one can make the steering wheel turn when turning the
road wheels by hand? One also needs to check for tight spots.
What I fear most is the wheels turning onto full lock the opposite way
to the way one wishes to go. I experienced this once; admittedly on a
rigid single bar tow with a person correcting the steering.
What steering box do you have fitted?
If we had Rack and Pinion steering then we would not have a problem!
Further comment would be of interest.
All the best
>Mike--
>
>I have a collapsible tow bar that I have used on a few occasions for tows of
>200 miles or so at highway speeds, attached via Bill Bolton tow eyes. I have
>had no problems and the car follows perfectly, the steering wheel turning
>slightly to follow as needed, then straightening, etc. I am careful to always
>have some headway on before starting a turn as otherwise the front tires will
>scrub briefly.
>
>I know the four attached pictures will be stripped from the list but perhaps
>you'll want to put them up on your site so that others can see the concept.
>The folding arm of the towbar allows me to insert the two pins welded onto the
>ends of the bar into the toweyes and I fasten them with removable snap-pins.
>The removeable crossbar fastens in a similar manner once the bar is in place
>and keeps everything together just in case. I use a length of nylon braid
>around the front anti-roll bar for safety's sake.
>
>Collapsible tow bars are readily obtainable--just google. There are lots of
>ways that one can be attached to a Healey but since I already had the tow eyes
>in place I went the way shown.
>
>Best--Michael Oritt, 100 Le Mans
>
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--
John Harper
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