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MG Midget and Sprite General - Transporting a Midget in a Van - Advice Please

Afternoon Gentlemen,

I have been umming and arring for weeks about the best way to get my MKIII down to Devon from Oxford.

Transportation companies want a lot of money understandably for the long trip.

Unfortunately my Volvo doesn't have a tow bar.


That aside, we have managed to source a Luton Transit van, It has a load area of 4000mm x 2000mm and no wheel arch intrusion.

It has a tail lift, although I think It's only 500mm deep.

I'm really after some suggestions of how to get the car in the van...

I have been though all the thoughts of wood etc, but I can only seeing short ramps causing the Midget to beach when getting into the van, and long planks flexing too much.

If anyone has had previous experience, I'd love to hear their stories.



Regards
- Richard
R L J Oakley

I would reconsider a transport company! I was told about Shiply on this forum, and had a fantastic service! you just enter you post codes and wait for people to bid. I got my midget transported from nottingham to liverpool docks for £80.

s j knox

I sold a Midget once and it was put in the back of a pickup truck with the aid of long planks...

Dave O'Neill 2

I'm also thinking of selling my Spridget-sized trailer, if anyone's interested?

Dave O'Neill 2

The thing is, we're also moving house and the van would fit furniture in as well.

- Richard
R L J Oakley

David, how much for the trailer?

- Richard
R L J Oakley

Richard

Drop me a mail

daveo138 AT yahoo co uk
Dave O'Neill 2

Most tail lifts are rated for 500kg on Luton sized vans

Find a garden with one of those lovely edges that drops down to the footpath, or find a local loading bay or carwash.

Loading bay and garden mean you could simply (carefully) drive on, tie down and go

Car wash could provide you with MOT ramps to drive straight into the van

How about a local garage with a 4-post ramp

all worth looking into (at both ends)
PeterJMoore

Thank you.

Unfortunately the car is SORN and has no MOT (or seat or floor for that matter). This hinders the drivability to one of the places you mention.

I have seen these: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2PC-HEAVY-DUTY-STEEL-ATV-CAR-RAMPS-PAIR-BRAND-NEW-/320694547176?pt=UK_Lifting_Moving_Equipment&hash=item4aaae272e8#ht_4353wt_902

No, not technically the correct weight. But with the factor of safety they have to engineer and also using the tail lift as a brace half way up the ramps, this will spread the load to both.

Thoughts?

- Richard
R L J Oakley

LOL - Pete is speaking from the experience of the Irish - who seem to manage to fit three Midgets in/on/behind and probably under vans when they come over to Silverstone!!!!!!!

Having seen how they fit it all in, it's amazing - and certainly worth taking lessons :)
rachmacb

Id use the wooden planks, but deck screw some 2x4 s on the bottom so the long edge of the 2x4 is vertical...if it still flexes which doulbt it would much for a midget... Just stick some cinder blocks mid way to support...

Im sure to many this dosnt sound safe, but id think it would work for no more then your wanting to do

Prop
Prop

do you know anyone with a car transporter that would put it in then back up to the luton 4 ya -- still doesnt help at the other end, but hey ho.
Mick struggling with the wiring

Prop, that's what I have come to think.

Also I was going to add in some vertical legs, custom to the height of the van. As you say, the Midge is hardly heavy, especially with no seats/spare wheel etc.

If anyone else has metal ramps in the Oxon area, please shout. I can only pay with a few pint of Abbot however.


- Richard
R L J Oakley

Richard I've done a few transport jobs like yours for forum members (not just this one) - email me if interested midget1380 AT btinternet dot com
David Smith

Richard, Have you thought about calling the Car Club? They might be able to help with ramps/contact details for someone with ramps
Ally

Forklift???
PeterJMoore

is the engine in it?

If not get a few strong friends to give a hand lifting it on

Will and I could lift a shell between us and neither of us are of larger stature
PeterJMoore

Richard - Devon You say?

I am loking at getting the Devon branch of MASC up and running if you are interested.

Same goes for all of you who live down this way too.
Dave
Dave Price

Why not source a transit with a tow bar, and buy Dave's trailer
Geoff Mears

How about clamp some painters' planks to the tail lift to extend its length and lift the car with that? If it's rated at 500kg it shouldn't break at 600kg.
M H Allen

I like your thinking - "shouldn't"

But Midgets were 720kg if i remember correctly, floor panels and seats dont weight 100kg.

Id say give it a go, whats the worst that can happen :S
PeterJMoore

i have transported a disassembled midget in a hire van. The complete shell was turned on it's side and rollers used to get it in...then all the front end panels, seats, axle, eng/g-box added.
easy with two competent helpers.

at the other end I got it out on my own and put it in a wood shed through a standard sized pedestrian door. Lots of paint scrapped off, but otherwose no issues.
robnrrugby

Use the van - it makes loads of sense. I transported a Seven in a van once, and as long as you spread the load and support the ramps when loading and unloading, it will be fine. Just be sensible.........
D le Versha

Do take pictures please... :)
Alex G Matla

Peter.... Mike's Spridget probably does only weigh 600Kgs... ;-) and it fits 'snugly' into the back of his Merc Sprinter..!

Mark.
M T Boldry

This thread was discussed between 07/07/2011 and 17/07/2011

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