carry a ramp to jack up the Elan

[bast0n]

It does not seem to me that to carry great chunks of wood around in ones boot accords very closely with CABCs dictum of add lightness................and it reduces your luggage space for those of you who go further afield than the garage queens we see so many of............

[garyeanderson]

It does not seem to me that to carry great chunks of wood around in ones boot accords very closely with CABCs dictum of add lightness................and it reduces your luggage space for those of you who go further afield than the garage queens we see so many of............

Gary

[YellowS4DHC]

I think Gary has it right, at least for those of us whose tires seem to have an affinity for nails (or, in my case, dry wall screws).

Besides a jack and spare, I recently started carrying a short tow strap to allow my car to be loaded onto a flatbed wrecker without concern for the undercarriage and nose. An incident last year prompted me to think of an alternative to the nasty heavy chain commonly used.

(Note: it wasn't a Lotus part that failed!)


Rick


'72 Europa TC
'69 Elan S4 DHC
'67 S800 Coupe
'57 T1 Speedster

[bast0n]

Gary - succint as ever!!

I am sure the carpentry route works for you but when you are on a wet and uneven surface the thought of reversing up a narrow wooden ramp with a wet and presumably flat tyre would make me very nervous.

I really like the idea, a few posts up showing the inflatable jack in action - it is on my Christmas list as I presently use a very low scissor jack with a built in handle from a Mk2 Astra that stows under my seat.

Keep 'em rolling Gary !

[alexblack13]

The inflatable jacks work well but can get very dirty very quickly with exhaust muck etc... I had a guy 'helping' me once putting up my brand new awning on a brand new Caravan. He rushed off and came back with his inflatable jack which was stinking to the high heavens and sooty as ...... h *** ... He had manky hand and fingerprints everywhere within seconds.. I had to stop him and firmly 'thank' him for his help... What a mess he made and the van stank of exhaust fumes for ages.. Mrs B was not a happy girl. She spent ages removing big sooty marks which he had everywhere..

I just hope my sealer and inflator works when the time ever comes. The car has now done a fair mileage since restoration finished and so far so good....

Have fun Guys .. A good and happy new year and Merry Xmas. Hope Santa brings you some nice Lotus related presents..

&&&& Good health..

Alex....

[Chancer]

A jack, inflatable or otherwise is not something that I would think to use to put up a caravan awning.

The wedge tip though is really a good one for me, the simple ideas seem to evade me somehow, I have a very heavy 4 wheel trailer and had to change a punctured wheel recently when fully loaded (no jack ) luckily it was a front axle and I could use the jockey wheel as a jack but it was at its limit as was my strength.

I have since bought a cheap hydraulic jack but much prefer the idea of towing the trailer up the wedge, I already carry a pair of wheel chocks so will replace them with wedges.

[garyeanderson]

Hi David

I drive the F250 when it rains, Why would I want to go out in the rain and get all wet? These are fun cars to me to be used to put a smile on my face (think 150 hp and 1300 lbs and a heavy right foot), not to get all wet. Your S3 boot must leak like a hell, the block remains dry in the boot of my S2, My idea of what is fun and your idea are not the same and that is pretty clear, you seem to take great joy in inserting your high opinion of what I should enjoy. As far as the weight thing goes, I have left out quite a lot of useless stuff that a 3 or 4 pounds that I carry in the boot that has enabled me to get my tire fixed once in 16 years was worth having to me for that one event. If it is not to you, thats fine too. If you want to spend the money on that hot air bag thats fine too. I don't have the money that you have. I need to get another couple Elans, two Elites, and a LoCort back to running to be buying air bags.
Have a wet day
Gary

p.s. - A look at your profile shows you have started a massive 4 topics, 302 posts since 31, October 2008

Throttle linkage - Webers - Simple, in things in common, bast0n author, 0 replies, 412 views.

Wheel paint, in things in common, bast0n author, 15 relies, 632 views.

3.55 Crownwheel and pinion, in For Sale, bast0n author, 0 replies, 269 views.

Touring Spain, in Elans bast0n author, 3 replies, 263 views

Seems like you like my topics for some reason, whats with that?
Most active topic: So what does your Elan/Plus2 look like today?
[ 35 Posts / 11.59% of user?s posts ]

[gordont]

Are punctures such an issue over there? I literally drive my S2 daily and (touch wood) am yet to have a puncture, I swapped the spare for a can of Zoosh (no idea if it works or not yet) as although I carried a wheel brace I never carried a jack...

I for one am going the lightness route....

[bast0n]

Why would I want to go out in the rain and get all wet?

Gary old bean - lighten up!! As I do not have a direct line to the Almighty - yet - I cannot control the weather over a four week touring holiday - so yes it does rain sometimes and so my imagined flat tire would be wet for the daredevil reverse up the narrow ramp on rough ground! Therefore the ramp would be wet and slippery!!

Your S3 boot must leak like a hell

No - dry as a camels ****! Has to be as it usually full of luggage. There is a second green bag across the bit between the turrets.

And yes, I follow your posts because I enjoy them - especially the grumpy parts! I am glad that you think I am rich -

I don't have the money that you have.

. If that is so you must be a very poor old chap - a bit like me in fact..........and what is your point about my posts? (or is it lack of them?).............keep smiling

[alexblack13]

A jack, inflatable or otherwise is not something that I would think to use to put up a caravan awning.

You don't say! .. Me neither. He took some getting rid off though I can tell you but not before he had made one hell of a mess.

To be fair the van did need lifting on the awning side a bit. But before I could get my special ramps for leveling the van from the car boot..... His way was best unfortunately and he would not take no for an answer. I was just trying to get over the fact that the 'jack' was filthy and stank of exhaust fumes (of course)...So did he! I do know how to put an Awning up, trust me. We had owned 2 other caravans (and Awnings!!) before that particular new one..

Have fun now.

AB...

AB..

[bast0n]

Alex

the 'jack' was filthy and stank of exhaust fumes (of course)...So did he!

Are you sure you are mixing with the right sort? I suspect that both he and his motor were running a bit rich

[Chancer]

My last relationship ended when my girlfriend decided to "help" me put up the awning at "that time of the month" .

Its a shame Mr Helpfull and his exhaust bag wasnt there to add to my woes, she would have flattened him for sure.

[alexblack13]

...

I could have killed him! Mrs B was well pi***d of with him. He connected the airbag to a diesel Volvo which was parked next to us and proceeded to lift the van about 2 ft... I had the ramp under the wheel in a flash and the van back down sharpish... Not at all sure that was a good idea & Yes!! He was indeed smelling a bit rich..

Seriously though.. He made some mess with his manky mitts.. and it took some removing. We could not get rid of him! I was fussing around him trying to stop him from touching anything.. Hilarious now, but painful at the time I can tell you.

We were parking up for a weekend at the Scottish Championship Model Car racing circuit up at Stonehaven by Aberdeen. Before our Karting days. My lad (driver!) would be about 10 yrs old if that.. Happy days, and the weekend was very good from memory. Stinky was allowed back when he got cleaned up a bit.. He was a nice guy and meant well.

ab ...

[h20hamelan]

Guess if you need to do engine work, and or your engine is not running. Probably at least push it onto the ramps

[nomad]

I have discovered that "Fix-a-Flat" works pretty poorly when your flat is caused by a hypodermic needle. Something I think is discarded more and more in this country.

Kurt