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MG MG Y Type - Weight of Y Type for trailer?

Folks, I'm interested in putting Y or T Series on a tandem trailer for post-retirement trips after the end of this year, and am looking at small motorhome (not new!) tow vehicle options.
I'm grappling with advice on the 'net re. "Actual vehicle mass"for both towing and towed vehicles; gross vehicle mass, gross combined mass ... and so on. I can see in the Y Manual the "Complete Car" weight is put at 991kgs - I think this would be called the unladen mass, which is another relevant figure.There will be a figure for TC somewhere.

Does anyone know of an Idiots Guide or handy calculator into which I can type details of alternative towing vehicles and also figures for Y, T or BGT?

I don't want to purchase a tow vehicle and then find that the tandem trailer plus MG would exceed the rated towing capacity of the tow vehicle. Vehicles I'm looking at include (Australian built) Ford Transit "Swagman" and Mercedes Sprinter motorhomes.

Any advice gratefully received. Regards, John.
J P Hall

John

If you go to http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/techdata.shtml#General_Data_Summaries (Or from the home page <Technical Center>, then select <Technical Data> from the drop down menu, then in the table select General Data Summaries)you will find the answers for Y, Y/T and YB.

Paul

Paul Barrow

You should be ok with those tow vehicles, but finding a lightweight dual axle trailer will be the challenge.

There are plenty of single axle trailers that will carry 1,000kg car, however when you are towing behind a large vehicle you need the extra safety of a tandem trailer.

If you cannot see the tyres on the trailer from the tow vehicle, my safety tip is to go tandem, then if you lose a tyre you have some chance of stopping the rig in time before it all goes pear shaped.

The other consideration is to find a low floor height trailer - they are more stable on the highway and easier to load/unload.

Cheers

Tony
A L SLATTERY

Thanks guys - Tony, typical mid-sized tandem trailer seems to be 600kg and rated to carry gross 2000kg; both Y and BGT are about 1200kg kerb weight, so by those figures it looks as though we'll be able to do it within the tow vehicle specs. Will keep researching.
J P Hall

John
Attached is a photo of Ellen Wilson's car trailer in which she tows one of her Ys or SA etc to events.

The trailer is mostly canvas covered with zips to allow access to the car's 4 wheels and tie down straps and points. Tony know more about the trailer.
Stuart

Stuart Duncan

Goodness me, very flash! Good idea to post pics of other enthusiasts' car trailers, Stuart - gives us all something to think about. For example, my mate David Hall (no relation) down in the south of this state, has a large number of MGs, a handy sized Motorhome and a very nice open tandem trailer with a chequer plate front screen. He and Lynn have a great time travelling from MG gathering to MG gathering, and are the inspiration for my wife Jo and I to one day do the same.
BTW, I have now officially abandoned the Ford Transit Motorhome as a prospect, on the basis that apparently it wouldn't pull the skin off a custard. I gather that, depending on one's budget, a Mercedes Sprinter is by far the best option in the smaller vehicle range. Apropos my original question, I'm told that the Sprinter will enthusiastically tow tandem trailer plus 1200 kilo car.
John.
J P Hall

Hi John,
I do know quite a lot about Ellen's trailer and it was setup for trailering the SA Saloon more than the Y-Types so is VERY heavy and more than you need. The cover is to ensure the car arrives clean & dry.

Did you see the A-Frame towing a Y-Type at the 70th rally - very nice, stable and no extra rego to pay !. The A-Frame also carries a stone guard. I can put you in touch with the A-Frame builder/designer/owner.

Cheers

Tony

A L SLATTERY

One more detail John, I calculate the weight of a YA at 991kg. A full tank of fuel will only add around 25kg - but it's all hanging out behind the rear axle.

In comparison, our 2004 MG ZR160 3-door weighs in at 1145kg !, and the 1969 Mk3 Midget is only 714kg.

Cheers

Tony
A L SLATTERY

John,
The main issue is to stay under 2000kg total which shouldn't be a problem
Once you go over 2000 the requirements for the trailer change , the main one being the need to have emergency breakaway braking which can get a touch expensive to set up.
Tony's suggestion of a two axle trailer has merit, a flat tyre halfway accross the Harbour bridge in peakhour trafic with a single axle trailer isn't the best way to spend your day
William Revit

This thread was discussed between 20/05/2018 and 23/05/2018

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