The towing brackets fitted to the Canadian cars are really just tow eye used
for pulling cars out of the snow banks which occupy most of Canada for most
of the year.
They are only about 3/16" thick and not really suitable for attaching a tow
bar.
I fabricated 1/2" brackets which attached to the bumper bracket threads on
the inside of the frame. I experienced exactly the same issues with the
steering not returning to straight of sharp turns and that the tow vehicle
tended to get pushed around a lot by the towed vehicle in slow travel with
turns.
I decided it just was not really too safe as on occasion the total rig
tended to develop a bit of a speed wobble at highway speeds which made me
very uneasy!!
Michael Salter
http://www.netbug.net/blogmichael/?p=445
-----Original Message-----
From: healeys-bounces@autox.team.net [mailto:healeys-bounces@autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of John Sims
Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 6:01 PM
To: 'Len and/or Marge Hartnett'; 'Healey Mail List'
Subject: Re: [Healeys] flat towing a big Healey
Weren't tow brackets required in Canada? If so, are they available any more?
John Sims, BN6
Aberdeen, NJ
http://www.healey6.com
-----Original Message-----
From: healeys-bounces@autox.team.net [mailto:healeys-bounces@autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of Len and/or Marge Hartnett
Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 5:18 PM
To: Healey Mail List
Subject: Re: [Healeys] flat towing a big Healey
Jorge: I have flat towed my Healey several times and for long distances to
Healey meets. I would give three warnings: 1) Be sure the steering wheel
is free to turn when going around corners; 2) the homemade brackets I made
where from a design from one of the clubs and were only 1/4 inch thick. Too
thin. They can bend. I doubled them to 1/2 inch. The problem came when
the wheels did not straighten out after a turn. They went to full turn and
the extreme forces severely bent them. 3) When turning, go slow and watch
the steering wheel or front wheels of the Healey and make sure they come
back to straight when the towing vehicle does.
(The Other) Len
Vacaville, CA, USA
1967 AH 3000 MkIII, HBJ8L39031
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