Transporting an Elan

[Freelander49]

Hi All,
My Elan has been dry stored for the last 10 years or so and I now need to move it from my daughters garage to my workshop (barn) a distance of two miles. My question is how do I legally transport the Elan? The car does not start but rolls OK. Last time I needed to move a car I used a tow rope but I think my options are a) buy a tow bar (tow rope not legal) and the car will need to be insured or b) load the car onto a car transporter (maybe trailer) but expensive. Any alternative suggestions?

[muley]

I would say 'sod it' and use the tow rope.
2 miles? The chances of being stopped by the constabulary are nil. If stopped, you could say you were trying to start the car.....

[Jamie N]

Get someone with a one car transporter and don't be so stingy , to go 2 miles you would talking 60 quid, far easier parting with that than the potential disaster
of towing a car that hasn't been on the road for years with a rope. Or at least get a proper towing pole if you dont want to shell out for a recovery guy, at 20 quid it's a no brainer.
https://www.toolstation.com/tow-pole/p8 ... lsrc=3p.ds

[Rambo]

That looks like a great gadget to have Jamie

[tb10]

That looks like a great gadget to have Jamie

Yes Mark, it is. I have one and it works really well. Recommended

[Rambo]

Much safer than a rope. I think Santa will be coming early this year

[muley]

Get someone with a one car transporter and don't be so stingy , to go 2 miles you would talking 60 quid, far easier parting with that than the potential disaster
of towing a car that hasn't been on the road for years with a rope. Or at least get a proper towing pole if you dont want to shell out for a recovery guy, at 20 quid it's a no brainer.
https://www.toolstation.com/tow-pole/p8 ... lsrc=3p.ds

I had no idea they were so cheap. Billy bargain

[Denny]

Read the reviews for this towing pole.
Should be ok to tow the M100, but there has been complaints of buckling and snapping causing damage!
Does not fit to a tow bar.

[Jamie N]

I've had one for emergencies for years and used it many times, never had an issue and used it on some big cars as well, estates and big saloons, pretty sure that one will be fine to tow a wee featherweight Elan Of course it has limitations and would definitely buckle if you tried using it at speed and had to emergency brake for example, a tow pole regardless of how strong the metal used in it's manufacture is, should always be used with a sensible head and cautionary awareness shall we say .

And it can be used with a towbar by either connecting it to another part or making something up for it, I've used heavy duty U clamps before, but most vehicles have a hook on the back you can connect to anyway. Just use it with care and keep your speed down and it will do the job.

[Simon_P]

The easies option is to tow it - when was the last time you saw a policeman?

You did say legally so that would entail a trailer or transporter.

[Rambo]

The coppers are all up in Glesgae at the climate change talking shop. Good time to rob a bank or thrashing your pride and joy

[dapinky]

The coppers are all up in Glesgae at the climate change talking shop. Good time to rob a bank or thrashing your pride and joy

Not all.... some got sent home for misbehaving!!!

(It was a good couple of weeks for some people though........)

crane.jpg

[Freelander49]

Thanks for all your comments. I now have a tow bar (ex Machine Mart) and it appears well manufactured. As suggested it looks adequate for the light weight Elan and arrangements are in hand. I’ll update after the event.