towing cars

[clivvy]

so, on my way to Cheshire this morning, we saw a 4x4 towing a car, using one of them long pole type things the AA use. Well, when i say long it wasnt that long, but anyway, what are they, how do they work, how much and what are the legalities of towing a vehicle with one?

seems to me that they are a very easy way of towing home your new project car yourself with using trailers etc...?

[kbekl]

thats a rigid bar they use the tow hitch and the front tow point are alot safer that ropes as the car in fron controls the braking
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-CAR-VAN-RI...item35a92a1ad0

[rustic]

I have a similar one, fits under the rear seats easily. Never used, like the tow rope I carry, but if I left them at home.....

It relies on a driver in the towed vehicle, so I would assume this would have to be taxed, insured and MOT'd.

I'm not sure how far is a reasonable distance to use one,
I think mine was from Aldi and cost a tenner at the time.

[briggie]

im not sure , but i think you arent allowed to tow on the motorway , regardless of tow rope or whatever

[kbekl]

unsure of the law now but these used to be used on the motorway to tow cars with or with out tax and mot,unsure about the details but because the driver of the tow car only has to steer think it is alloud but you are better off with a towing dolly or trailer

[clivvy]

hmm..im not sure redex...the one i saw seemed much chunkier than the one in the ebay link. And, you say relies on a driver in the towed car? well, there wasnt a driver in this towed car!!

hmmm....could it have been an A frame? do the same rules apply?

[larson]

clive my mate made one of the bars its simple scaffolding pole will the towng end of the trailer welded on one end ( bit what fits over the towing ball ) and a u shaped/d shackle welded on the other end.. ebay Item number: 350189109029.. very easy for me to make you if you got the parts

[tezzer]

this is what you want,-- i cant seem to get the 180590260875

then you dont need another driver.

[11redrex]

Originally Posted by tezzer

this is what you want,-- i cant seem to get the 180590260875

then you dont need another driver.

Love the chunk of slotted angle iron / fence post welded across the A
what a bodge up.

Still I shouldn't say too much, I've used a bit of scaffold with a rope looped through it to tow in the past

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

a frames are not legal, if the towed car, then classed as a trailer exceeds
750kg gross weight. unless has a braking mechanism.

yes so most of the motorhomes tugging cars are wrong side of law.

thered exclusions for break down truck, suspect most dollies are iffy too.

best place for an invalided car is on a flatbed, be a truck or full trailer.

[Peasgood]

Originally Posted by Thomas-the-Terrano2

a frames are not legal, if the towed car, then classed as a trailer exceeds
750kg gross weight. unless has a braking mechanism.

yes so most of the motorhomes tugging cars are wrong side of law.

thered exclusions for break down truck, suspect most dollies are iffy too.

best place for an invalided car is on a flatbed, be a truck or full trailer.

True enough.
The RAC and AA are phasing them out too.
I think the only time they are allowed is emergency recovery. They are cracking down on them too.

[briggie]

Reg 86 Road Vehicles (Con and Use) Regs 1986

Where a trailer is attached to the vehicle in front solely by means of a rope or chain, the distance between the trailer and that vehicle :

1. Shall not exceed 1.5 metres unless the rope or chain is made clearly visible

2. Shall not exceed 4.5 metres in any case.

[briggie]

if you are bored and have some time to fill .... heres the road traffic act

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/contents

[briggie]

Originally Posted by briggie

if you are bored and have some time to fill .... heres the road traffic act

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/contents

interesting innit ?

[briggie]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAn...code/DG_069862