Hello all you sd1 chums,

After about eight years without an sd1 I have taken the plunge and brought the only version I haven't had yet. (had lots of 2000, 2300, 2600 and 3500 during the days when my mates wet their pants over xr3i's and other toss, while I was a happy twenty-something buying cracking rovers for £50-£300 from auctions)

Anyway, I am now the owner of a right dog of a 2400sd on a y plate, which suits me fine. I have always wanted one of these td's, and at last i have found one that was so cheep, I had an e-bay moment and now look forward to running this beast on my home-made diesel.

up yours mr brown.

Now we come to the point of this post.

Can i tow this battered 5-speed diesel monster home 200 miles on a dolly or on an 'A frame'? I remember an RAC chap saying never tow with rear wheels down, even on a manual, but is this true?

I understand that autos are a no go tow, but manual SD1 rovers? why? I've done loads of engine rebuilds and body work on these cars, but i've never needed to get to know the rear axle.

If its ok to tow the car with rear wheels down, I might get a dolly to tow her home and then use to cash in on the high price of scrap from the amount of rotting cars on folks driveways around here, but if not i'll hire a trailer.

Oh, and do i need all wheels off the ground without it having an mot?

Can anyone help?

hope so.

Chears,

skahoovey

Taxi!

I'm not sure if this'll be of any help regarding the legality of towing:


The following is an article printed in the Feb issue of Freewheel - the magazine for the Rover Sports Register:

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Towing on "A" frames

A comment in a club journal to the effect that a member had had a brush with the law as a result of being in the habit of towing his rally car to and from events on an A-frame has prompted this note, which relates only to towing by cars and light commerical vehicles. Different rules apply for agricultural vehicles, motor tractors and road locomotives.

Regulations 19 and 22 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use)Regulations 1986 (as amended) make special provisions for the recovery of vehcilesthat have broken own during the course of a journey - they may be recovered using appropriate equipment, including a-frames. The Road Traffic Act imposes a speedl imit of 20mph on ordinary roads and 40 mph on motorways for vehciles being recovered in this way, and that applies to broken down ehciles being towed by rope, solid bar, dolly or A-frame.

other than such breakdown recovery situations, the C & U regulations treat vehciles connected by a rigid coupling as towing vehicle and trailer. The use of an A-frame thus means the towed car becomes a trailer in the eyes of the law, and must therefore comply with the normal requirements of a trailer.

The same C & U regulations require trailers over 750kg gross mass to have brakes that are either operated directly from the towing vehicle or that operte on the overrun. Unbraked trailers may not exceed 50% of the gross mass of the towing vehicle. A device that applies the brakes on the trailer if for any reason it should become detatched is required on trailers above 1500kg gross, but below that limit secondary couplings (such as chains) may be used.

A-frames can really thus only be used legally for towing cars if a) that car is being recovered after a breakdown b) the gorss weight of the towed car and A-frame is below 750kg or c) there is some fail safe mechanism to apply the brakes of the towed car. The lights on the rear of the towed vehicle ave also to comply with the C & U regs for trailers, including warning reflective triangles and towin vehicle registration plate.

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My own thought is that if the towed car is a trailer then it doesn't need tax, mot or insurance..

Thanks for the info Punx0r, its very welcome. I think that I will get an 'A frame' or 'Dolly' later for shifting cars for scrap but not for moving an SD1!

Well spotted Chris P, 'FATY' is indeed mine now, and will be on the road ASAP to clatter about with pride. It's nice to think I am not the only one who must watch every SD1 on e-bay. Somehow I think I might be at home here on this forum.

This area had quite a few diesels for some reason. Farmers running them on 'red' maybe? In the past five years, I have looked at two 2400sd's in north Wales, both within twenty miles of eachother, both less than £400, running but needing work. A third was knocking about town three years ago but I've not seen it for ages. Another is said to be stored a few miles from me, but the trail has run dry. Oh and I was offered one about seven years ago as a part ex, but that was a toilet in everyway. I wish I had bought and saved the first two now, and would have done so if I had the room. And cash. And an understanding girlfriend.

Thanks for the vids and pic. What a stunner! Wonder if the owner will swap. I'd even chuck in an Allegro VDP.....

Now, did someone order a taxi?

With a TD5 I could consider having a normal run-around SD1. Wouldnt produce so much annoying diesel clatter and have semi good power too.

Welcome, fellow North Wales person!
I saw that on ebay too, I hope it pulls through for you!

Thanks tommosredone, Pleased to know there are asleast two SD1's and proud owners in North Wales!