towbar

[69S4]

Anyone got any experience of fitting a towbar (to the rear!) of their Elan? You might well ask why on earth would I want to do that - especially as I have a perfectly functional Land Rover complete with towbar parked next to the Elan at the moment.

It's because I was musing about going to the Coupe Moto Legende nr Dijon at the end of May and wondered about using the Elan to tow my Kawasaki H1 on a trailer; a sort of 1970 revisited trip. Using the Land Rover would be much too easy.

I do remember seeing a picture (years ago) of an Elan with a towbar so someone somewhere has cobbled something together.

Stuart

[Elanintheforest]

You could try these guys as they do one for a Plus 2...2 in fact, one for the early car with transverse exhaust, and one for the later car! Sounds like they know something about the cars at least.

http://www.towequipe.co.uk/products/plt ... -6974.html

Mark

[gerrym]

Mark, what? no type approval?

Regards

Gerry

[69S4]

Mark, that's amazing, someone actually doing a commercial product. Your version of Google must be better than mine though as I did search for any references both here and online generally before I made the post and got very little.

I was sort of expecting, if anyone replied, that it would be about some sort of diy construction but I'll email them and see what comes of it.

Stuart

[Elanintheforest]

The type approval comes with towing an H1 around...what a great combination!

The Plus 2 towbar must have a similar construction to one needed for an S4, with attachment to the rear of the chassis and, I guess, onto the boot floor with spreading plates. Just a bit longer...well, and different angles, and a petrol tank maybe in the way on the S4, but I'm sure one could be adapted for the other. Don't think I'd tow a large caravan with it though!

Mark

[john.p.clegg]

Stuart

If you get one,don't forget-lots of piccies please

John

[raygray]

My Sprint came with what i was told was an original Lotus bar when i bought it in 2000, It was not fitted and I will have to dig it out but could take and post some pics.
Dont fancy it myself.
Ray

[badback]

Yes Lotus did offer a tow bar for the Elan, one turned up at Donington last year as new with the original Lotus fitting instructions. I had never seen one before but looked really well made.

Brian

[bigvalvehead]

Hi Guys
I had a towbar on an S3 in the 70's it was used to tow a mini trailer when there was no room in the car for the girlfriends luggage!!!!

From what I remember it bolted to the diff mounting points and the two body mounting bolts at the back of the chassis and was made from square section tubing. No pics I'm afraid as car long gone.

Dave Hughes
26-R-9

[69S4]

I had a towbar on an S3 in the 70's it was used to tow a mini trailer when there was no room in the car for the girlfriends luggage!!!!
Dave Hughes
26-R-9

Pity I didn't have that option in those days, life might have turned out differently!

Bolting to the diff mounts and to the body bolts I would imagine could be ok but anything attached, even partially, to boot floor I can hardly imagine supporting its own weight nevermind the stresses a trailer would impart. I'm always amazed that the fuel tank stays in place when it's filled up.

Ray - if you could find it a pic would be fantastic

[raygray]

Have not had time to find my bar yet , but the discription of square tube sound right, will look for it at weekend. Ray

[alan]

Hi All,
sorry to go off the rails a little but i fitted a towbar to my +2s that i had many years ago in England. it was not to use to tow a trailer, just to stop idiots reversing into the back of my car, breaking the rear lights and clearing off never to be seen again. i adopted a habit of parking with the front facing a wall and leaving the back protected by the a nice big tow ball. nobody ever damaged the back after that.
AlanB

[marklowe]

Hi
This car was for sale last year, I thought it must have been unique having a tow bar, until I read this thread.

Mark

[Dr. No]

Hi
This car was for sale last year, I thought it must have been unique having a tow bar, until I read this thread.

Mark

Now its mine, I already removed the towbar, it was made lets say OK, could be original but doesn't siut the character of the car...
I could take some fotos for explanation.

Greetings from Germany

Dino

[alexblack13]

I had a towbar on my Lotus Elite 501 (I think) with the 2 ltr motor. If I were searching for a word to use to describe this combo' It would be something like 'Hopeless'...

Didn'T half get some looks with the caravan on the back of it though. The car was so low the drag from the caravan was awesome (as was the fuel consumption!!) Had it up n down the country though and it never missed a beat.

Feckin awful combo just the same, but hey! Needs must. Hated that car though....

Hey Mark..Just recommissioned my Honda ST1100 Pan Euro. It goes for its MOT next week. I should be back on two wheels for the clocks change... Beaut..

Going to the show??

Alex B....