towing cars

clivvy · 27-11-2010, 18:52

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 · 27-11-2010, 19:10

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 · 27-11-2010, 19:34

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 · 27-11-2010, 19:42

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

kbekl · 27-11-2010, 19:54

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 · 27-11-2010, 19:58

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 · 27-11-2010, 20:09

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 · 27-11-2010, 20:17

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

then you dont need another driver.

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 27-11-2010, 20:18

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 · 27-11-2010, 20:27

Quote:

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.

clivvy · 27-11-2010, 21:21

makes sense, ive seen several motorhomes towing toyota Aygos, Mazda MX-5 and smart cars, but i suspect even those tiny cars wot be allowed soon? So why they clamping down??

11redrex · 27-11-2010, 22:22

Quote:

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

briggie · 27-11-2010, 22:32

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.

Peasgood · 27-11-2010, 23:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by clivvy

makes sense, ive seen several motorhomes towing toyota Aygos, Mazda MX-5 and smart cars, but i suspect even those tiny cars wot be allowed soon? So why they clamping down??

Because it is against the law I guess. I think they are even more keen on the continent.
Noticed a few of those motorhomes now have little trailers instead of an A frame.

lacroupade · 28-11-2010, 00:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by clivvy

makes sense, ive seen several motorhomes towing toyota Aygos, Mazda MX-5 and smart cars, but i suspect even those tiny cars wot be allowed soon? So why they clamping down??

they aren't allowed now....as TTT says, can't exceed 750kg in weight and I believe there isn't a car in the UK that meets that requirement any more with the exception of a Caterham......or a Trottermobile!

27-11-2010, 18:52	#1
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	towing cars 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...?

27-11-2010, 19:34	#3
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	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. __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

27-11-2010, 20:18	#9
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	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. __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

27-11-2010, 19:10	#2
kbekl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Manchester Vehicle: Ford Maverick 2.7 LWB GLX Posts: 1,519	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

27-11-2010, 19:42	#4
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	im not sure , but i think you arent allowed to tow on the motorway , regardless of tow rope or whatever

27-11-2010, 19:54	#5
kbekl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Manchester Vehicle: Ford Maverick 2.7 LWB GLX Posts: 1,519	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

27-11-2010, 19:58	#6
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	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?

27-11-2010, 20:09	#7
larson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: moomin vally Posts: 1,138	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

27-11-2010, 20:17	#8
tezzer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: basildon essex Vehicle: transit camper van 1987 Posts: 2,829	this is what you want,-- i cant seem to get the 180590260875 then you dont need another driver.

27-11-2010, 21:21	#11
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	makes sense, ive seen several motorhomes towing toyota Aygos, Mazda MX-5 and smart cars, but i suspect even those tiny cars wot be allowed soon? So why they clamping down??

27-11-2010, 22:32	#13
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	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.