tow pole

[John B]

Hi all I've just bought one of those tow pole things with a ball hitch on one end that goes onto the ball that is made from steel box section. The advert on ebay was describing it as a 3.5 ton but when I took a look at the hitch part there has been a sticker stating 3.5 ton placed over the engraved metal that says 750 kg. Could I get into trouble with this as I want it to pull a car 1.4 ton. :nenau:thumbs

 

[cncfabs]

Hi all I've just bought one of those tow pole things with a ball hitch on one end that goes onto the ball that is made from steel box section. The advert on ebay was describing it as a 3.5 ton but when I took a look at the hitch part there has been a sticker stating 3.5 ton placed over the engraved metal that says 750 kg. Could I get into trouble with this as I want it to pull a car 1.4 ton. :nenau:thumbs

The most you can tow without auto reversing overrun brakes is 750kg so if you get stopped you will be in trouble

 

[John B]

What's auto reversing overrun brakes mate ??

 

[cncfabs]

Auto reverse is where you dont have to get out of the car to put a latch over to reverse, old style brakes would come on if you tried to reverse .Over run is where the force of the trailer pushing against the car applies the brakes.On your tow pole you will have no brakes at all which is why you are limited to 750 kg

 

[rustic]

It's probably a standard pressed steel hitch, these are clearly un braked, so legally when used on a trailer hitch can only be a maximum of 750 kg.

But your application is different, it is a pole for towing cars, where there should be someone in the towed vehicle to steer and apply the brakes.

I have one from towsure I think, that is made out of square steel tube, barely 25 mm across. with a hook on each end.
Mine is suitable for cars weighing up to two tonne, but you wouldn't use it linked to your caravan.

 

[John B]

Oh I see but the person who is sat in the car could use the foot brake to help ??

 

[cncfabs]

Theres prob a bit of a grey area legally but the tow poles are only really for towing cars to a place of safety and not really for moving cars in general.The car being towed would need to be road legal and insured i would have thought

 

[rustic]

Theres prob a bit of a grey area legally but the tow poles are only really for towing cars to a place of safety and not really for moving cars in general.The car being towed would need to be road legal and insured i would have thought

I believe that to be correct.

Not to be used to tow a wreck, or say a newly purchased uninsured or un taxed or failed mot car.

 

[makeitfit]

That's about it boys. It can only be used to get something off the road to safety . NOT to use for transporting crook car from A to B via 100 miles of highway

 

[solarman216]

That is why I have a £1000 plus car trailer, Rick

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

best place for a a dead car is on a trailer, or flat bed truck.

 

[Zimbok]

Hi, have only now read this post. I put a couple of questions to the Police on their website a while ago re towpoles. I have copied the questions and response below.


"Hi, a couple of questions about towing a broken town vehicle. I have a camper van (weight about 2500kg's), which unfortunately is prone to breaking down on occasion. If when it breaks down and I need to tow it home with my 4x4, I want to use a rigid "towing pole" (able to tow up to 3500kg's). Both vehicles will be taxed and insured and both the driver of the towing vehicle and the vehicle being towed are insured to drive both vehicles. My questions are:-

1) Am I allowed to tow the broken down vehicle a long distance i.e. not just to the nearest safe place or garage for example,
2) As the towed vehicle does not have any power and can only be steered and braked, do I then need to have a light board with the towing vehicles reg number on the back of the towed vehicle?. Many thanks. "


The response was:-

"Thank you for your email.

Question 1:
The law makes no mention as to exactly how far you can tow a vehicle but we would suggest that the distance is kept as short as possible because firstly, it is not safe to tow a vehicle for a long distance and secondly, if you are stopped by the police you could still be prosecuted for any defective parts on the vehicle e.g. exhaust, brakes and tyres etc.

Question 2
The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations state that every lamp and reflector fitted to a motor vehicle must be kept in a good working order and clean whilst in use on a road. However the regulations give a specific exemption to broken down vehicles whilst being towed;
a) Between sunrise and sunset no obligatory lamps need to be kept working.
b) Between sunset and sunrise the regulations only require that the rear position lamps and reflectors are in good working order. However, best practice would suggest that a fully functioning trailer board is used at the rear of the recovered vehicle so as to prevent a danger to other road users. Failure to prevent a danger to other road users could lead to prosecution for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition."