Tow dolly

[Kitcat]

I did a search and could not find an answer to this: Can a 7 be towed on a car dolly (2 wheels on the dolly, 2 on the road), without disconnecting the drive shaft, by backing the car onto the dolly so the rear wheels are stationary? I have a friend who has towed his Miata all over the country that way with no ill-efect. I know conventional wisdom is cars should be towed with the front wheels up. I assume that is a weight distribution issue (nose heavy front engine car). But the Miata has a 50-50 weight distribution and I assume , tho don't know, that the typical Zetec Caterham is similar.

 

I am on the verge of finally aquiring a 7 but it is 1000 miles from me. I need to get it home and driving a 7 that distance is not recomended. Renting a Uhaul w/2 wheel trailer is $1,250. I can borrow my friend's car dolly for free. Driving my car to get the 7 also saves the $350 airfare to fly from Cincinnati to Orlando, to get the 7. So I save $1,600 that could be spent on the 7 if I can do this.

 

Thoughts?

[slngsht]

ah, drive the seven home... you'll have a great memory of the day(s) you took the epic trip. and if you break down on the way, you'll get many :grouphug: s here :lol:

 

I wish my Rotus was in running condition the day I got her. It would have been great.

 

I did the long drive the day I bought my vette... from Savanah, GA to DC. Flew in, beat a hurricane by a few hours, put the top down, and smiled for 12 hours. I'll never forget the orange hue in the sky that afternoon. :thumbs:

[slngsht]

to answer your question, you'd have to have a way to lock the steering I guess. Most sevens don't come with a lock mechanism AFAIK. Other than that, I don't see why it couldn't work.

[bsimon]

Most Caterhams built in the Zetec era have a steering column lock. Some owners have removed the lock or not installed it. For taller people, there's an interference issue with the lock and your right knee. Give the seller a call and find out if it's been removed.

 

That being said, Buy a AAA towing policy, pack your cell phone, and drive it home. The worst part will be trying to wipe the silly grin off your mug at the trip's conclusion.

 

 

[WwGreenFlash]

One way bus fare is $69.00 w/ 7 day advance purchase.

[stevet]

I drove mine home - only 700 miles but made it in one day :hurray:

 

If you could get a 'cheap' flight there and do one overnight at a motel on the way back, you could save a bundle...

 

 

[Kitcat]

Jeez, I don't know what's worse: 1000 miles on a Greyhound bus or in a Caterham:)?

 

If (hypothetically) I was to drive home, what would you recommend that I take in my "survival kit"? Besides the cell phone & AAA card. I assume the usual hand tools- wrenches, screw drivers, pliers, duct tape, etc, flashlight, fix-a flat, sun screen, hat, ear plugs.

[stevet]

I took my 'leatherman', cellphone, hat, sunscreen (it was July...) and lots and lots of water. The AAA tow package is an excellent idea.

[Kitcat]

Do the stock Caterham seats recline or is rake fixed?

[Boxologist]

drove mine 300 miles home, well directly to work, when i picked it up.

seats should be fixed.

many maps or US atlas. minor tool set. a caveat w/ caterhams is that they are typically mixed metric and imperial sets of fasteners and such.

change of clothes. maybe shorts for driving and a jacket or pullover for ur torso. helmet if possible. if u have one of the soft collapsible coolers, bring that so u can stock up of food during the trip back.

camera!

 

Jeez, I don't know what's worse: 1000 miles on a Greyhound bus or in a Caterham:)?...

 

southwest2005, Pacfic Northwest 2007... thankfully i will be going to the dragon. most of us want to do 1000 miles in a se7en. its fun!:hurray: :party: :seeya: :willy: :rofl:

[Kitcat]

Here's another idea: dry weather! Is it feasible to drive on an interstate in a 7 in rain? My Miata used to almost drown in truck & car spray it was so low and, it was an SUV compared to a 7.

 

Also, assuming stock 5sp that comes with the Zetec, what are the RPM's at 70? Is there a cruising "sweet spot?"

[slomove]

Yes, dry weather would be a good idea. Obviously you can drive an open car in the rain with proper bike clothing and a lot will go over your head anyway. But it is not exactly my idea of fun for 1000 miles. Or at least it should be warm rain. A soft top will help a lot.

 

After all, while the direct drive is surely more memorable and fun, I think the dolly is not a bad idea, either. If the steering wheel can not be locked, just tie it with a rope. Helps also with a better centered direction.

 

Cruising revs depend on the diff and wheels. With a 4.11 diff and 15" wheels I have about 3500 rpm at 70 in 5th. Honestly I never worried about a sweet cruising spot. I do worry about radar traps.

 

Gert

[Boxologist]

if the car has the weather equipment package, u would be ok. it can get stuffy and maybe some exahaust drone when enclosed, but it does work. I drive in the rain, and if the defrosted is working u'll be fine. otherwise, have a towel for the window.

 

if not equipped, at least a half hood. http://texasmotorworks7.com/cabitop.html is a recent find i expect i will be getting a jill judd one with the EZ in stuff. Al used his hood on the way to NC with the half doors in the rain. he can chime in with that setup's efficiency.

 

if the '88 comes with the doors u would be set.

[Kitcat]

It has the full weather gear (It's advertised in the cars-for-sale section of this site -'99 Caterham).

[MHKflyer52]

You should just drive it home.

Give yourself three (3) days to make the drive and you should be fine

The adventure will be one experance you will be able to talk about for the rest of your life if nothing else.

I would check the oil, rear dif fluid level, trans fluid level, fan belts and hoses and tires and go for it.

If you hit rain that is more than just a shower find a hotel until it passes or just press on.

I have driven my car in Oregon in the rain (it rains their almost everyday that is why it is so green), snow and had fun and I do not have any weather gear.

The looks people give you are worth the hassel of the rain besides most summer rain storms pass in an hour or so and overpasses

are great places to take a break when caught out in the rain.

Make sure you take your camera for the trip and use it. I know that sounds funny but I can not tell you how many times I have been out driving and forgot to either take the camera or just did not get it out and use it and have regreated the fact that I forgot about the camera.

Have fun with your new ride.

[Boxologist]

It has the full weather gear (It's advertised in the cars-for-sale section of this site -'99 Caterham).

 

ur set. hit up the dragon on the way back!

[WestTexasS2K]

 

1000 miles thats a good day drive. Having just completed 5k miles in 7 days it can be done. Of cours it is more pleasureable if you split it up into a few days. I am not sure what kind of windshield or wind screens that car has but I wore my helmet for the whole week. I took a nice little seat cushion along to help the old tush out. You can also take some 1" foam used to recover chairs and cut it up into 10" wide strips and stuff it in the back of the seat or in the lumbar area. You can move it around on occasion to make it more comfortable. Just take a few tools a decent craftsman set that has mix of wreches and sockets metric and standard should do the trick. Just wear earplugs, hat and sunscreen and injoy the scenery. Or you could take the easy way out and drive down in a comfortable car and haul it back. Ever thought about buying a used 12-16 trailer go down pick it up. Then sell the trailer after you get it home. It will cost you nothing to do that. Then you wont have to worry with the 2 wheel dolly.

 

Like it was said before it will not tow well if the steering colomn doesnt lock. I would remove the drive shaft and tow in forward if you were to tow it. I have seen a few transmissions get ruined towing with the front high in the air. All the fluid runs to the back of the tranny and the front bearings and gears get oil starved. Good luck with your purchase let us know how it goes. Keep a diary it can make for an entertaining read for us here.