Towing

Burnsy2023 · 30 Mar 2006 at 12:18

Are you legally allowed to tow people on a tow rope or do you need a bar?

I've heard that you're not allowed to tow people on a tow rope on public roads...

This true?

Burnsy

Edit: And I say 'people' this is not literally people, but their cars

thedazman67 · 30 Mar 2006 at 12:35

my dad towed my car when it broke down using a tow rope, i dont know about the legalities concering it though.

thedazman

Firestar_3x · 30 Mar 2006 at 12:36

If you tow using a rope you need someone in the car to steer and brake, so the driver must be allowed, not sure if passangers are allowed in that car, but if you towing it no reason why they can't sit in the two car?

paradigm · 30 Mar 2006 at 12:37

I've been with a mate when towing another mate and we got pulled over. They only wanted to know where we were going, and if we could put our hazards on.

They didn't care that we were using a rope.

lmfy2k · 30 Mar 2006 at 12:39

Q. Can I be towed off by a friend or relative?

A. If your vehicle is capable of being towed safely then you can arrange for a friend or relative to come and tow you with a normal towrope. There is no law against towing on the motorway as long as it is done safely and within the 60 mph speed limit for cars and trailers.

taken from: http://www.traffic-answers.com/motorways.htm#tow

may be of some help?

Dolph · 30 Mar 2006 at 12:45

You can legally use a rope, however I'd definitely suggest using a bar instead (much less likely to go into the back of the towcar, and more predictable when pulling off)

Burnsy2023 · 30 Mar 2006 at 12:48

lmfy2k said:
taken from: http://www.traffic-answers.com/motorways.htm#tow

may be of some help?

I googled it and saw that.

I was just after a catagoric answer...

Thanks anyway

burnsy

Burnsy2023 · 30 Mar 2006 at 12:48

Dolph said:
You can legally use a rope, however I'd definitely suggest using a bar instead (much less likely to go into the back of the towcar, and more predictable when pulling off)

Thanks Dolph.

Burnsy

Edit: How much is a bar and where can I get one?

Dolph · 30 Mar 2006 at 12:54

burnsy2023 said:
Thanks Dolph.

Burnsy

Edit: How much is a bar and where can I get one.

You can get them from places like halfords or other motor stores, not sure on cost in all honesty.

Just don't do what my mum did once (she was towing my dad who was in my sisters Ford Fiesta with a 4.0ltr Range rover). Hillstarts do not require full throttle

saitrix · 30 Mar 2006 at 12:56

Dolph said:
Just don't do what my mum did once (she was towing my dad who was in my sisters Ford Fiesta with a 4.0ltr Range rover). Hillstarts do not require full throttle

That is crazy! I bet it moved quite quick!

Dolph · 30 Mar 2006 at 13:04

saitrix said:
That is crazy! I bet it moved quite quick!

It's what happens when you haven't towed a car for 20 or so years, and the first time you've done it with an autobox. It was a bit sharpish apparenty.

Overload · 30 Mar 2006 at 14:07

I had to be towed yesterday when my rubbish car broke down. Was just entering Sheffield - land of the hills - and had to call my brother to pick me up.

He was in a mondeo and connected the elasticated towrope to my fiesta. The towrope was a sort of diagonal due to the loopy bits being at different sides of the bumper.

After a 30min ride up and down hills we finally arrived at his house, though his clutch took a heavy beating.
It was certainly an experience to remember.

Sone · 30 Mar 2006 at 14:30

if using a bar, will a vectra tow a v8 range rover?

Firestar_3x · 30 Mar 2006 at 14:31

Sone said:
if using a bar, will a vectra tow a v8 range rover?

Lol, yes.............................

g0th2000 · 30 Mar 2006 at 14:39

My Civic Vti suffered the indignity of being rope towed by a rover 800

Certainly wouldn't want to go far with a rope, legal or not