sonic
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| posted on 4/5/16 at 06:40 PM |
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Towing a car on a rope on a public road
Hi all
Is it still legal to tow a broken down car on a tow rope if its taxed and tested on public roads ?
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morcus
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| posted on 4/5/16 at 06:46 PM |
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I could be wrong but I thought it was only legal to recover it from the road to the nearest safe place.
I don't think the police like it because it is quite dangerous.
In a White Room, With Black Curtains, By the Station.
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Toprivetguns
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| posted on 4/5/16 at 07:06 PM |
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I have a solid towing bar that I use in emergency, better than a rope.
Only drive as fast as your angel can fly... !
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loggyboy
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| posted on 4/5/16 at 07:09 PM |
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Its a grey area - but if it is taxed and insure and they cant prove you arent 'recovering' then theres nothing much they can do.
Ive towed back cars for one reason or an other from fairly long distances, you just obviously avoid the Motorways!
As above, a bar does make like a lot easier.
Mistral Motorsport
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sonic
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| posted on 4/5/16 at 07:14 PM |
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So is towing with a bar legal then?, do they do bars that collapse for storage or are they just a solid bar of a certain length?
I have always kept a tow rope stored away in my boot just in case and a friend of mine said that it is illegal to use it now so can a bar of some type
be bought small enough that say telescopes out so it can be kept in a boot.
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loggyboy
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| posted on 4/5/16 at 07:30 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by sonic
So is towing with a bar legal then?, do they do bars that collapse for storage or are they just a solid bar of a certain length?
I have always kept a tow rope stored away in my boot just in case and a friend of mine said that it is illegal to use it now so can a bar of some type
be bought small enough that say telescopes out so it can be kept in a boot.
From the askthe.police website:
When the vehicles are attached solely by a rope or chain, the maximum distance allowed between the vehicles is 4.5 metres.
If the distance between the two vehicles exceeds 1.5 metres then the rope or chain must be made clearly visible within a reasonable distance from
either side to other road users. This is usually done by tying a coloured flapping cloth in the middle of the rope or chain.
The person in the broken down vehicle must be a qualified driver as he is actually driving it. A further point is that if it is dark then the broken
down vehicle must have its lights on as it would under normal circumstances.
no mentioned of insurance, road tax or limitations etc. hence why its a grey area.
from the highway code
'In the event of a breakdown, be aware that towing a vehicle on a tow rope is potentially dangerous. You should consider professional
recovery.'
So no mention of it not being legal there either.
[Edited on 4-5-16 by loggyboy]
Mistral Motorsport
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tr7v8
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| posted on 4/5/16 at 07:36 PM |
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Perfectly legal. But the car being towed should be taxed, insured & MOT'd as its wheels are "on the road"
A bar is better & if you do it more than occasionally then it is worth getting one, I think ours was £30 or so from Machine Mart.
Jim
2005 Porsche Cayenne S
2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Sold
2010 Maxda MX5 Sport Tech
2000 Porsche Boxster S (now sold)
Light travels faster than sound. That's why certain people appear bright until you hear them speak.
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sonic
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| posted on 4/5/16 at 08:10 PM |
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Thanks very much guys, that is conclusive as being legal then
Thank you
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myke pocock
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| posted on 4/5/16 at 09:15 PM |
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So, if you tow with an A frame the vehicle you are towing is technically a trailer and therefore needs brakes if over a certain weight in relation to
the towing vehicle. (I know theres a lot more technical stuff here but I wont go in to that) So why is it therefore legal to tow on a rope or even a
bar. Doesnt sound right to me.
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robinj66
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| posted on 4/5/16 at 09:23 PM |
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Hopefully this provides an answer Using a Tow Rope
[Edited on 4/5/16 by robinj66]
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SteveWalker
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| posted on 4/5/16 at 09:46 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by myke pocock
So, if you tow with an A frame the vehicle you are towing is technically a trailer and therefore needs brakes if over a certain weight in relation to
the towing vehicle. (I know theres a lot more technical stuff here but I wont go in to that) So why is it therefore legal to tow on a rope or even a
bar. Doesnt sound right to me.
Because with a rope or a bar you have a driver in the second vehicle, steering (so it is not simply a trailer) and operating the brakes.
Having used both ropes and bars, I'd always go for a bar if possible. Far less stressful and dangerous.
[Edited on 4/5/16 by SteveWalker]
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nick205
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| posted on 5/5/16 at 01:13 PM |
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I have towed cars with a rope before, not overly safe as there's a reasonable chance of the driver of the towed vehicle going into the back of
you IMHO. However I've not been told it's illegal to do so and never been given any stick for doing it. I wouldn't go far though!
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tr7v8
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| posted on 5/5/16 at 06:05 PM |
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Takes practice a few years ago a mate & I used to tow on a rope, a lot. When you get practised you can be both safe & quick!
Jim
2005 Porsche Cayenne S
2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Sold
2010 Maxda MX5 Sport Tech
2000 Porsche Boxster S (now sold)
Light travels faster than sound. That's why certain people appear bright until you hear them speak.
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