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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - TD towing capacity?

There are a few threads about TDs and TFs towing small trailers (http://www2.mg-cars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgbbs&access=&mode=archiveth&subject=8&subjectar=8&thread=2010102623352712296)

Seems like a fun project to build a small trailer for TD camping trips, on the teardrop shape design. Lots of plans out there for full size ones, but I suspect a TD even with a strong engine and 4:3 gearing won't be able to tow very much.

For anyone who has actually done this, can you tell me what weight you were able to tow successfully and for extended trips?
Geoffrey M Baker

I once towed a 1934 Packard Coupe with a Morris Minor!

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

A few members of the local club have successfully towed small trailers. I don't have any exact weights, but my estimate is probably around 750 pounds gross weight (trailer plus load). A lot will also depend whether you are towing in the middle of Nebraska on the flat, or trying to cross the Rockies in Colorado. I suspect there would be some significant difference between the two.
LD Palmer

In my wildest dreams I would never consider doing that to my 65 year old engine! Why take such a chance? I can travel for weeks with a small duffel on the luggage rack. Weight: 20lbs. If you want to go camping take a SUV. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)
Ed
efh Haskell

Not totally sure but I would think this trailer weighed at least 400 lbs unloaded.

It attached to two points on the bumper and basically extended the cars length. The center wheel acted like a castor.



Christopher Couper

Chris
That single wheel unit brings back memories. Looks like the Heil-lite trailers built in Lodi, Calif in the 50's and 60's. Ted Heil, the builder, was a good friend of my dad's.
By the way, I have two rear TF fenders that might be sketchy for a TF but perfect for a small trailer.

Tom
'54 TF
T Norby

A few years ago the Moss Magazine had an article about a guy who towed a trailer with his TD (a real one) and covered a big chunk of the USA. Bud
Bud Krueger

Years ago there was a man in Florida with a 1952 MG TD. He towed his M-type all over Florida.
Sandy
Sandy

This was at our local show

Mort 50 TD

and at another show

Mort 50 TD

I've seen a picture of a TC pulling a small canned ham camping. trailer somewhere in my travels about the web. Unfortunately there was no details about the set up.

Alex
Alex Waugh

I think Matthew keeps his pet Wallabee in there !!
Steve Wincze

Hi:
Watch out if you get a single wheel trailer. The wheel is a caster and when you hit a bump it has a tenancy to turn sideways even if it has centering springs - not good when it re-contacts the ground. If the springs are strong enough to keep the wheel straight then the castor effect does not work very well and the car tends to go straight ahead in a turn - again, not good.
Jc
John Crawley

Geoff: Also you might want to look at a Combi-camper tent trailer. (Check u-tube) I have pulled one for thousands of miles behind an MGB but I think that the TD would have no problem if you do not load the top rack. There are a number of sizes ranging from one that is a single person (or a very friendly couple) motorcycle size, to four people ones. I bought one sized for sports cars. The weight is minimal and build and the suspension are superb. There is a knock-off built in British Columbia Canada. Check the motorcycle sites to look for a used one.
Jc


John Crawley

BUSHTEC makes some awesome motorcycle trailers. I pulled one behind a Honda 1500 Goldwing trike all the way from Kentucky to the Oregon coast and back.
I have thought if I ever decided to pull a trailer behind the TD that would be the route to go. You never even knew it was behind the trike.
Rich (TD 3983) Taylor

Here's a few I have seen.

MG LaVerne

Although this is behind an MGA, A modified or blown TD/TF will have about the same horsey power as a stock MGA.

MG LaVerne

Of course you can load a rack up but I suspect that if you get carried away the steering would get a little dicey.

MG LaVerne

An example of one behind a TC in Cincinnati and another behind an MGA

MG LaVerne

Another shot.

MG LaVerne

This one also showed up in Cincinnati and I have seen quite a few made from MGB's. I had the back half of a TD lined up from a very generous member her to build one myself but I abandoned the idea for several reasons.

MG LaVerne

You can see why this one was so popular...there is a couple of ice cold kegs this tap is tied into inside the trunk.

MG LaVerne

About 10 or so on the back row of the photo op at St. Louis. I believe Motorcycle shops would have the best options. Building one from a car would most likely be excessivly heavy. Another factor I would consider before pulling power is braking. I believe I would want something that had a braking system to complement the less than stellar brakes of the T.

MG LaVerne

A quick look at motorcycle trailers show some interesting possibilities, here are some options:

http://www.trailmasterinc.com/campers.html

http://theusatrailerstore.com/solace-motorcycle-camping-trailer/

http://www.tinytrailer.com/index.php?cID=112

I must admit, I hadn't thought about actual camper trailers but they do make some for motorcycles which look like a fun idea!


Geoffrey M Baker

LaVerne, there are some beautiful home made ones there, I wish I had a spare TD to build one from :)
On another note, that guy towed a keg of BUD LIGHT? That's a total waste of space and weight! A British beer would be the minimum requirement, I should think!!!
Geoffrey M Baker

The TD might still be available Geoffrey but I told him he could do with it as he wished as I couldn't see me going to get it. As for the beer..can't say what the brand really was...I wasn't in any shape to care at that point in the journey.
MG LaVerne

Not a TD but the same engine under the hood - Y-Tourer, but fitted with a 4.55:1 diff ratio.

The trailer is my own design and weighs about 250kg empty. I once towed 500kg of old tools from Melbourne to Brisbane - it lugged a bit on the hills and two lower gears were used where needed, but it braked OK and handled OK.

The trailer uses Y-Type wheels, so no need to carry an extra spare and Y-Type leaf springs (because I had a few spares). It's a "teardrop" shape, but if you look closely it's just a stretched octagon. The fenders (mudguards here) are also Y-Type.

The trailer is mostly used to carry the original wheels and tyres for the YT to Interstate shows, as I prefer to drive the car on radials for long highway trips.

Octagonal Greetings from DOWN UNDER

Tony Slattery
Black Mountain
Australia

A L SLATTERY

If anyone is interested, I have a single wheel trailer frame in my yard right now. Needs a wheel, but the hitching system, frame, spring and tire yoke are all there. Guess a trailer for the TD might be a project for this winter.
Bruce TD4139 Cunha

Nice job Tony, looks great. I would think at the least using an axle and wheels from a TD/TC/Y/F would make sense so that different spares are not needed...

On the other hand, a smaller aluminum frame trailer of the type pulled by motorcycles would weigh much less and could still be a pop up camper type!

Lots to choose from here, thanks for all the photos and information. This may be my winter project.

Now, how to make a motorcycle trailer frame with a set of TD fenders....

As far as pulling weight, I will have a completely rebuilt engine and possibly an upgraded differential to pull it with... so I don't foresee a problem.
Geoffrey M Baker

would be more concerned about the brakes myself.
L Rutt

Geoffrey, I did not use an MG axle or hubs, I used new trailer stub axles & had the flanges re-drilled to the Y-Type stud pattern. You could do the same with TD Wheels.

Then you just buy a suitable length of steel tube to duplicate the TD track & weld in the new stubs.

If the weight of the trailer and it's load is less than 50% of the tow vehicle weight, the brakes will be fine. Just drive accordingly & leave yourself a bit of extra space. If someone does something really stupid right in front of you - you will be in trouble (trailer or not).

The registration authorities here don't require brakes on the trailer if it's empty mass is less than 250kg & total weight including load is less than 750kg.

My frame is all galvanised steel tube, panelled with "sign sheet" that is used by signwriters to make billboards. It has a white painted finish on one side & is nice and thin & relatively cheap.

Fitting the guards to your design is the tricky bit. My design has a hinged lid which is held open to provide access. You could put a single bed mattress in it for an overnight stop.

Good Luck with your Winter Project

Tony
A L SLATTERY

-1'
John Walton

1
John Walton

What does John Walton's new addition to this old post mean? 1 -1 Huh?
efh Haskell

Never gave this much thought, but this post is quite interesting. Another thought for down the road, especially since we can't carry much more than a lunch box in our cars. A few of the fellas around here with Harleys have trailers and some are pretty slick in design. PJ
Paul161

There is nothing to worry about, they make trailers just for low powered cars! Here's one example. PJ


Paul161

Ooh, I like that one PJ...
Geoffrey M Baker

Re: Brakes.

An electric brake system on the trailer would take care of this. Battery on the trailer pinches the pads, activated by the brake lights. Easy.
MAndrus

I don't see anything wrong with towing a small trailer behind a TD. In 1883 I towed my TC race car on a trailer behind my TC road car from Adelaide to Geelong (700 km) because I wanted to compete in the National Meeting in both cars. It all went well but I doubt it would be legal now. The limitation of standard TC brakes required constant thinking and looking ahead. I still (rarely) tow a small light 6 by 4 trailer behind the TC. TDs are heavier and have better brakes/steering than TCs so should be better for towing as long as you are not in very hilly countryside and the load is not heavy.

Bob Schapel
R L Schapel

Don't know how my posting came to be on this subject for it wasn't me who put it on ??!! Wonder how that came about - any ideas?
John...Sydney
John Walton

John, thanks for clarifying my earlier comment on this. But it did generate another great discussion of trailers. I think the hackers that change stuff here are still lurking!
Ed
efh Haskell

1
Bill Chasser Jr

1
A. R. Todd

This thread was discussed between 07/07/2015 and 05/01/2016

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