Towing with a rope.

[paul_humphreys]

This "came" up on another forum and I know there are a few police persons on here.

How far is it legal to tow with a rope? As far as I understand it, its only as far as to a place of safety. If that right?

This person had just joined a dual carrageway on a jounery of 40+ miles when he was cut up by a unmarked police training car. Now if it was me I would have not even tried to tow something (another 4x4) on a jounery I would have used the soild tow pole I have (but not for that far) or borrowed/hired a transporter trailer.

Paul

[discowoman]

Yep - towing on a rope is a NO NO. as you state 'to a place of safety' ie get it off the road.. (or if 2 miles or so to home)..A frames or solid bar (even though the bars arent exactly great.

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

Yep - towing on a rope is a NO NO. as you state 'to a place of safety' ie get it off the road.. (or if 2 miles or so to home)..A frames or solid bar (even though the bars arent exactly great.

I'd agree with that. There are rules in relation to towing and use of solid bars, but not being a 'Black Rat', I wouldn't know what they are.
I would suggest that common sense comes into play here. The 'Place of Safety' theory seems good and logical, but as we know, logic varies from person to person.
A few weeks ago, I watched a group of people trying to tow a burnt out VW Golf from in front of their gate. I advised them not to, 'Health and Safety' etc etc, but they carried on.
I tried to explain that as the tyres and alloys had melted into the tarmac, and a Rav4 using a thin length of nylon rope would have difficluty shifting the skin off of a rice pudding would not do it.
I had advised them that that would happen and they should put a coat over the line to prevent, but was told in no uncertain terms, "I own a 4x4 and know what I'm doing".
I then stood back and watched as someone nearly got lashed with a ropes end. :roll:
I then stubbed my fag out, uttered the immortal words "I told you that would happen.Well, I'll be off then" got back in the patrol car and wandered off.
You've got to love the 'experts'. :D
 

[Disco Matt]

Quite apart from the legality you have two problems with a rope - it doesn't allow the towing vehicle to help with braking and it's also at risk of going slack and being driven over by the towed vehicle, thereby being damaged.

[Bishops Finger]

Stick it on the back of a Diamond T tank transporter.....no issues then...

[paul_humphreys]

I have gotten an answer back from the police. Saying that it is legal to use a rope, chain or strap to tow with.  There is NO limit on how far you can tow either, but you can still get nicked/fined If you are deemed not to be doing it in a safe manner. There is no reference to a ‘place of safety’ in the law.

Basically, anything you tow becomes, in the legal definition, a trailer (although confusingly, a motor vehicle always remains a motor vehicle but is still a trailer! - I'll explain when I see you (so I will have to wait till I see the policeman I asked)). As such, there is no set maximum distance that you can tow.
The maximum length of rope/chain that you can use is 1.5 metres unless the rope is clearly visible from the side ( that's why you see little flags/rags tied in the middle), in which case the maximum length is 4.5 metres. This is covered by Regulation 86 Construction and Use regulations 1986.

Paul

[Rich_P]

Not on the hunt of Brucciieee are you? 

[adafish]

saying that Paul, on the Rhydaer Hunt we did 2007, when Dom got water in his engine, i towed him all the way from the end of STRADA (up the steep bit and down the steep twisty bits) on a tow rope, thats about 26mles...That was a bit scary but under control with Dom , braking for both of us down the hills...the drive across the mountain road was fun tho

[Gordo]

I have gotten an answer back from the police. Saying that it is legal to use a rope, chain or strap to tow with.  There is NO limit on how far you can tow either, but you can still get nicked/fined If you are deemed not to be doing it in a safe manner. There is no reference to a ‘place of safety’ in the law.

Basically, anything you tow becomes, in the legal definition, a trailer (although confusingly, a motor vehicle always remains a motor vehicle but is still a trailer! - I'll explain when I see you (so I will have to wait till I see the policeman I asked)). As such, there is no set maximum distance that you can tow.
The maximum length of rope/chain that you can use is 1.5 metres unless the rope is clearly visible from the side ( that's why you see little flags/rags tied in the middle), in which case the maximum length is 4.5 metres. This is covered by Regulation 86 Construction and Use regulations 1986.

I was going to say much the same thing. It's not the towing that's dangerous as such, it's the way you're doing it. High-speed towing in the outside lane of the Motorway with a scraggy rope probably isn't safe.

Low speeds with a driver who knows what they're doing, with a proper rope, not causing an obstruction nor a danger to anyone else shouldn't be a problem.

I towed a Citroën C5 home from Biggleswade up the A1 when its engine self-destructed. Proper rope, experienced drivers, appropriate speed (30-40), and no bother from anyone. All that was missing was the orange beacon :)

Got shot-down in flames for being irresponsible and it being illegal on another forum though....  :?

[tom38]

only place you in trouble towing a long way is on motorway only allowed to tow to first exit then rst of way by other roads as far as im aware  :doh: :-k