Towing with a 2000 Mk1

Other technical Issues with the Triumph 2000 range
Post Reply
Message
Author
Roymck
Newbie
Newbie
Posts:14
Joined:Mon Apr 10, 2017 4:27 pm
Location:Dorking , Surrey
Towing with a 2000 Mk1

#1 Post by Roymck » Fri May 10, 2019 7:14 am

Thinking of towing a caravan behind a 2000 , has anybody found the need to uprate the rear suspension and cooling system . Will it tow well ?

User avatar
Dave B
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts:995
Joined:Thu Dec 27, 2007 8:37 pm
Location:Wigan,Home of the mighty Warriors

Re: Towing with a 2000 Mk1

#2 Post by Dave B » Fri May 10, 2019 11:15 am

A long time since I towed a van with a mk1, but both my current mk2's have estate rear springs fitted which considerably improve the stance of the car with a van on the back, and keep it at normal height when it hasn't. The biggest problem now is finding genuine estate rear springs.
As for cooling, never had any problem whilst towing, except in crawling traffic on a hot day.
Club Member 2035
1970 2500 Mk2 in pimento red[/col
Toyota Avensis T4 Tourer

johnnydog
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts:1624
Joined:Tue May 14, 2013 12:33 pm
Location:Lancashire

Re: Towing with a 2000 Mk1

#3 Post by johnnydog » Fri May 10, 2019 1:59 pm

I have towed with my Royal Blue Mk1 since I got it, except when it has been laid up / off the road. In my opinion, it is one of my best Triumphs for towing; the other was the PI. The Mk1 has a shorter overhang, and the overall gearing is lower which is better for towing. As Dave says, estate rear springs are essential to keep it on an even keel. Take care in choosing uprated rear springs, as many raise the ride height too much whilst solo making the rear end looked jacked up. Estate / heavy duty springs are firmer, but also shorter in length as they don't compress as much. The ones on mine were taken off a scrap 2000 Mk1 estate which I saw from the road in a scrap yard near Woolacoombe on the way to the 1993 National , which Cec Lane and I went back for during our stay there!! They are still on the car today!
Mine is a late Mk1 with an MC engine combined with a manual overdrive, which I find pulls and revs better than the MB engine fitted in cars up to 1968. The overdrive is handy for motorway towing because you just flick in and out of it as conditions dictate without actually changing gear. I have in the past towed with a 1966 Mk1 2000 auto, which was a bit dire and it struggled at times (correction - most of the time!!). With an auto, I would suggest having the transmission oil cooler which understand was an option at the time.
I have never had a problem with the cooling system on them, as long as it is well maintained. As a general rule of thumb, if you car will tick over for extended periods without getting hot, then it should be ok whilst towing. None of mine go past 'N' on the temperature gauge whilst ticking over for extended periods, even on hot days, or whilst driving, both solo or towing. I just have the standard cooling system, with no additional fans - I've not found them necessary.
Register Member no. 1596

1967 Mk1 2000 in Gunmetal Grey
1969 Mk1 2000 in Royal Blue
1970 Mk2 2000 in Valencia Blue
1972 Mk2 2.5 PI in Triumph White
1973 Mk2 2.5 PI in Sienna Brown
1976 Mk2 2500S in Carmine Red

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests