2018: A Peterborough Odyssey

[JonB]

Wiggy? Is he bald or something?

[elan66]

Al
A pessimist is never dissapointed

[Spyder fan]

Wiggy? Is he bald or something?

Andy ?Widnall? AKA Wiggy.... he actually has a good mop of hair, uses it to clean the floor..

[JonB]

A minor update - unfortunately the trip had to be delayed to next Tuesday, but the transporter hire company were OK about it. More soon!

[mikealdren]

Meanwhile, a plan has been evolved. The transporter hire came in at a very reasonable ?105 for 5pm Wednesday to 8am Friday hire, which is perfect as it gives a whole day for the work to be carried out. It includes 350 miles of use, with each additional mile charged at 12p. I looked at the route and found I should just about be able to stay within the mileage allowance.

How on earth do they know how far you've been, is there a tracker fitted? Big brother is getting out of hand.

[Spyder fan]

Meanwhile, a plan has been evolved. The transporter hire came in at a very reasonable ?105 for 5pm Wednesday to 8am Friday hire, which is perfect as it gives a whole day for the work to be carried out. It includes 350 miles of use, with each additional mile charged at 12p. I looked at the route and found I should just about be able to stay within the mileage allowance.

How on earth do they know how far you've been, is there a tracker fitted? Big brother is getting out of hand.

Have you heard of an odometer/mileometer Mike? Old school stuff that every vehicle has been fitted with since the end of the 2nd world war at least.

I'm pretty sure that Jon is hiring a proper motorised transporter and not a trailer.

[JonB]

That made me chuckle... I hope it's got an odometer fitted, as that is usually incorporated into the speedometer, and without one of those I am sure to get a ticket!

Yes, Alan, indeed I am.

From these guys, who so far have been totally brilliant: http://www.transporterhire.co.uk/

[mikealdren]

Misread the post, I'd thought you were hiring a trailer, must read more carefully!

[JonB]

Hi Mike

The story goes a bit like this:

I initially thought I'd hire a trailer, but that would entail fitting a tow bar to my car (expensive) and having the dangers of towing a large load for hundreds of miles. I have towed before but never for such a distance or with such a large load, so I was frightened that I'd get it wrong and roll the car. I saw this happen while on holiday once - an estate car towing an empty car transporter trailer, which started oscillating for no obvious reason. Shortly thereafter the whole lot ended up in the verge, upside down (the car, too). He wasn't even going fast. I was right behind it, and I can tell you that it's not something you forget in a hurry!

I then looked into transporter services. From here on the South Coast to Peterborough, it was about ?300 each way, and I couldn't expect the transporter firm to wait while repairs were made to the Elan's chassis. That's when this hire firm was mentioned to me, and I found their prices far more palatable, so despair quickly turned into relief (as it were) and I went ahead with them.

Cheers
JonB

[mikealdren]

Sounds good John. I have towed my Elan on a trailer twice and found it very straightforward although it's surprising how much of a load it is - the trailer is pretty heavy on its own.

[JonB]

I checked and my car, a 180BHP diesel S-Max Vignale - does have more than enough towing capacity for the Elan + trailer, but I still didn't fancy doing it.

Now all of this long and tortuous story has really been about fixing the way the car steers. See "Oversteer on corners" thread. I'm not entirely sure that replacing the bushes (the job that lead directly to the spindle damage and Peterborough trip) will fix it, but I was very happy to read the following:

If the car tries to steer itself it?s because the wishbone bushes have worn..

..so I have a bit more hope that this is the end of the suspension issues.

[JonB]

And so...

Load 'er up!

Sitting pretty

Nice arse, luv!

Not quite as smart as in the adverts..

As it's based on a 2010 Transit, it drives really well. Light clutch, steering and gear change. Not too noisy.

So, we're set for the 3:00am kick off!

[Bigbaldybloke]

Have a nice day!

[SENC]

Glad you remembered to pop up the headlight pods, it will be dark at 0300!

[pauljones]

Take care Jon, i dont envey that start time.