Towing heavy things with a small car

[Tristan.]

Ive been offered 3 zzr1100s for a really good price, but they're in Essex, 100 miles away. I passed my car test last April and I'm really struggling to find somewhere which will rent me a van.

One option is to fit a towbar to my 1l micra. 3 zzr1100s on a ~150kg trailer should weigh slightly more than the car, but I should be able to take enough bits off to make it legal.

So it's theoretically possible, but would it actually be practical? Can 50hp move 1.5t of car and trailer?

[Boxing]

If you do this, it'll be a struggle on the engine and gearbox of the car. Could be possible, but your cars engine will probably be shagged out by the time you get home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N19Y9Z2wFAs

[Kickstart]

Hi

Suspect you would be over the weight limit for an unbraked trailer (from memory 750kg).

Not sure it would be happy towing it but could probably manage it.

All the best

Keith
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[Tungtvann]

Have you got the +E entitlement on your licence?

[Tristan.]

[WannaBeDude]

If need be I could drive for you, you pay for van inc deposit - pm if desperate -
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[Tristan.]

[Tungtvann]

Watch out for the fuzz then if you do!

[Tristan.]

[Kickstart]

[AlexW]

Checking the towing max of the car, on a Micra its most likley only 800kg on a braked trailer, even less on a un-braked (perhaps 5/600kg), The towbar will only be rated for the max the car can tow, and also consider the cars weight (with bits of bike in if thats how you're doing it, along with the trailer, as you could be over the max train weight.

I've seen towbars bend from being over-loaded (I fit towbars), they don't take much abuse.

[Tungtvann]

[WannaBeDude]

You or me - i have clean license and over 30 -
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[Tristan.]

[Shaft]

Your entitlement is as follows:

1/ Unladen vehicle weight of no more than 3500kgs + laden weight of trailer no more than 750kg

2/ Laden weight of trailer more than 750kg + unladen weight of vehicle = 3500kg max.

Under no circumstances can the laden weight of the trailer exceed the unladen weight of the car.

So, laden weight of trailer 1000kg + unladen weight of car 900kg is illegal.

And don't get caught if you decide to go over; I did (unwittingly) and, despite the fact it was a first offence and I was stopped at the end of my journey, I copped a fine of £800.
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[karoshi]

Dry weight of a ZZR1100 is around 230Kilos so three of them is going to be nearly 700Kilos

According to https://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/nissan/micra/hatchback-1993/21466/

Unbraked towing weight for your Micra is 300Kilos, so I would say that safely you could tow one ZZr1100 at a time?

So, three trips.. or as Covdude offered you rent a van and he drives.. or if you have a trailer that'll take 700Kilos, ask around to see if someone has a car that'll tow that unbraked weight? Like my Landrover.. I'm not busy on monday if you're paying fuel..
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[ocatoro]

what about the car's towing weight? i'm sure 3x zzr1100 plus a trailer will weigh more than a micra... therefore it'd be illegal

edit: beaten to it.
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[WannaBeDude]

I'm not busy on monday if you're paying fuel.. Smile

That and an xmas pressy is as good as it gets - !
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[Tristan.]

Wow, towing regs are complicated. Ok that's out the window.

Karoshi and covdude, thanks for the kind offers. I'm not free till the new year but I'll be in touch when I am to see if we can work something out. Obviously happy to give some cash too for the trouble

[WannaBeDude]

Towing option offered seems best - or van with me - new years fine -

I want to smoke - you supply refreshments - job done

Or if towed via above - do better than that for his wifes kids to school 4x4 vehicle lend thing -
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[Ariel Badger]

You going for gold Cov?
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[WannaBeDude]

[Tarmacsurfer]

I'll even offer to come along with Karoshi (good mate of mine who often has random ZZR parts in the Landrover) and help load/unload, can discuss buying unwanted spares off you then

Hi. My name is Tarmacsurfer and I'm a ZZR1100 addict
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[WannaBeDude]

Ops xmas has just come early -
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[Tristan.]

Yup, BCF is awesome