I need to move a car from central London to Essex and I’m trying to work out the best way to do it. I have an suv with a tow bar, so one option is a trailer - does anyone have one f those lying around?
Failing that my options are towing it or getting it recovered. Ive read that towing needs the towed car to be road legal ( which it isn’t) so I’m not keen on doing that. Any thoughts?
If its ally’s car you mean it’ll need to be on a flat bed
Yeah it is and that’s what I’m thinking. If no one here has a trailer then I’ll just get it recovered. Not worth risking towing it.
I’ll find out the maximum height for vehicles in the garage Simon - the ceilings aren’t very high, so want to make sure the flatbed doesn’t get stuck! If too low, you could always tow it out of the garage with your SUV and then have it loaded on to the flatbed. Hadn’t realised that a non- taxed/MOT’d car could not be towed - bit harsh!
Yeah, it does seem a bit harsh! I had thought of the ceiling height so as you say I might get a rope/bar to pull it out of the garage (because it might be tough to get it up the ramp pushing it. I’ll get it sorted though…
Yup towed cars have to have tax/mot/insurance no dodgy tyres etc. Even the person steering it has to have a full licence, and not disqualified either.
Something like this would also work - http://www.sltc.co.uk/trailer_hire.html
I guess we would just push it on - so you might need a few of your son’s friends to help, unless they also hire winches or you’re able to borrow one.
Simon - could try posting an advert on shiply.com - have used before and often works out quite inexpensive.
Thanks Stuart, I’ve set that up, so we’ll see.
@Ally, that looks like a good option too. I need to check the tow bar on my car to see if it has the electrics fitted. The tow bar was fitted when I got the car, so no idea whether it was fully setup…
If the car starts and drives, book it into your local MOT centre and drive it there - as long as its insured it will be legal to do this and then tax it before driving it home! Simples!
Hey Sean,
The car hasn’t been started for at least a couple of years so I don’t want to jump start it without it having an oil change etc. My son will do that once he’s back on his feet.
I’ve had some quotes from shiply already - not too bad.
Simon
Edit: Ignore, only legal for recovery, not transport.
Hi Simon, looks like it’s arranged. I’d love a towing dolly, but in this case I’ve been quoted £55 from a mate of a mate so that’ll work out nicely - not expensive and puts a few quid into some deserving hands…
Sounds good Simon - is this a flat bed? Will message you later with the maximum height for the garage. When are you hoping to come?
It’s a car/trailer so height shouldn’t be a problem. Looks like it will be the 24th. Hope that’s ok.
Depends on weather and time! If weather is good I will be doing Joby’s MIC rideout. However, I can just explain to the concierge what is happening and they can give you access to the garage. Is 23rd any good for you, or does it have to be a Sunday?
It’s not me calling for the Sunday. I think it’s to do with their shift pattern (it’s my cleaners husband and his mate, who is then borrowing another mates trailer, so any one of them might need to do it on the Sunday). It’s all a bit complicated!!! They haven’t given me a time yet so it might be after rideout time - I’ll find out more over the next couple of days if thats ok…
No worries - as long as you’ve PM’d me the names and time by the day before all will be fine if I’m not there. Will just leave detailed instructions.
Sounds good. I’ll be there myself, so no worries…
You will need to tow it out. We tried the same sort of caper last year and even with three of us pushing, (including the mighty strength of Alex Gold) we resorted to towing with a van.
