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the law


mossy835
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Yes its legal both cars need insurance tax and mot , and  both drivers need licences that cover the class of vehicle being towed.

max distance on a rope is 4.5 m and if over 1.5 m long needs a mid rope warning flag .

Remember if its modern it will need appropriate towing eyes in most cases and engine most probably needs to be running these days for power steering. electric power steering is a no no without engine running in cars i have tried to tow.

 

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23 minutes ago, Centrepin said:

It's my understanding that you can't tow on a motorway with a rope or strap only a bar.  Ropes/straps being legal elsewhere. 

 

I thought that but 2 years ago I went out to son’s transit on the M1, mostly to take the kids away whilst he waited for recovery. Highways officers turned up and told me it was perfectly ok to recover him on a rope. They even escorted me to the next services and allowed me to use the services access road.

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8 minutes ago, udderlyoffroad said:

Could you do us all a favour and when quoting the law as authoritatively as you do, provide a link to the relevant legislation, statutory instrument, etc?  They're all online

Then I stand corrected, I'm glad someone cleared it up.👍

On the lorries we only use a bar, and whilst in the Army we used a chain and SWR, or bar.

As an off roader I now only use straps and certified shackles😉

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Perfectly legal, however all I will say is if neither driver has been on tow using a rope then take it steady. My mrs is great towing and being towed on a strop, but I towed a relative on a line once and they kept jabbing the brakes  and panicking  

Preference for me would be a good solid bar, not one of the cheap Halfords ones. 

Also as a tip just in case you really have never towed before, be on the phone to each other  you can shout up when you are going to be braking, if you need to move out etc etc..... of course i'll say for those who can't use common sense, it's got to be hands free by law 

 

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9 hours ago, Centrepin said:

It's my understanding that you can't tow on a motorway with a rope or strap only a bar.  Ropes/straps being legal elsewhere. 

 

You cannot tow any vehicle on a motorway even with an A bar or front wheel trolley  but you can recover a vehicle from a motorway to next exit or place of safety. There has been endless discussion about this subject (and a lot of conflicting views) on motorhomes forums.

Apart from anything else most insurance policies exclude towing these days if you check the very small print. Even towing a boat or a caravan you have to tell them and get it cleared

You still see motorhomes towing small cars, usually Dutch, but people have been nicked in this country and the usual advice is don't 

Edited by Vince Green
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5 minutes ago, Vince Green said:

You cannot tow any vehicle on a motorway even with an A bar or front wheel trolley  but you can recover a vehicle from a motorway to next exit or place of safety. There has been endless discussion about this subject (and a lot of conflicting views) on motorhomes forums.

Apart from anything else most insurance policies exclude towing these days if you check the very small print. 

You still see motorhomes towing small cars, usually Dutch, but people have been nicked in this country and the usual advice is don't 

Actually the problem with some A frames is that they don't operate the brakes, meaning you have a trailer over 750kg with no brakes. Which is ofcourse illegal  

My understanding is that if you have an A frame and the brakes on the car are operated then it's perfectly legal as a 4 wheel trailer. If you have an A frame that does not operate the brakes on the car then you essentially have an unbraked trailer behind that's over the 750kg allowed over here. 

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1 hour ago, Landyjoe said:

Actually the problem with some A frames is that they don't operate the brakes, meaning you have a trailer over 750kg with no brakes. Which is ofcourse illegal  

My understanding is that if you have an A frame and the brakes on the car are operated then it's perfectly legal as a 4 wheel trailer. If you have an A frame that does not operate the brakes on the car then you essentially have an unbraked trailer behind that's over the 750kg allowed over here. 

That's what I thought regarding towing trailers.

Information about towing cars behind motorhomes and trailers, unbraked and braked can be found on the caravan club website and even on websites like Towsure.

I've towed a trailer or caravan, since 1978, and have never had to notify an insurance of this. Standard car insurance no matter what level covers third party liability for any trailer or caravan being towed, but does not cover the said trailer or caravan.

But, back on topic, this thread is about can you tow a car legally with a rope on a motorway. 🙄

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1 hour ago, Centrepin said:

That's what I thought regarding towing trailers.

Information about towing cars behind motorhomes and trailers, unbraked and braked can be found on the caravan club website and even on websites like Towsure.

I've towed a trailer or caravan, since 1978, and have never had to notify an insurance of this. Standard car insurance no matter what level covers third party liability for any trailer or caravan being towed, but does not cover the said trailer or caravan.

But, back on topic, this thread is about can you tow a car legally with a rope on a motorway. 🙄

I had to inform my insurance company under "any modifications" that I had a towbar fitted. It is a notifiable modification apparently.

First question back was who fitted it? I replied factory fitted at time of purchase when new.

Second question back was what do you tow? Enterprise Dinghy and Gobur folding caravan.

Third question back, please give details of weight, length, width  etc. which I did

reply back OK  

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On 04/11/2019 at 17:14, Vince Green said:

You cannot tow any vehicle on a motorway even with an A bar or front wheel trolley  but you can recover a vehicle from a motorway to next exit or place of safety. There has been endless discussion about this subject (and a lot of conflicting views) on motorhomes forums.

Apart from anything else most insurance policies exclude towing these days if you check the very small print. Even towing a boat or a caravan you have to tell them and get it cleared

You still see motorhomes towing small cars, usually Dutch, but people have been nicked in this country and the usual advice is don't 

I was recovered from Blackpool to Newcastle in a 12 Tonner on a bar.

Up the M6 and across the A69

Admittedly this was a few years ago and the law may have changed,

By the time I got back to Newcastle I had a thumping headache as it was late and I had to stare at the flashing lights on the recovery truck all the way back 😳

:shaun:

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58 minutes ago, panoma1 said:

I don’t suppose the manufacturers would fit towing rings in modern vehicles, if towing was illegal?

On that premise they wouldnt fit a fuel pump as they wouldnt want me to fill up with central heating oil either.

On another note its not worth it. So ive heard 

But i agree with what you are putting across, just im on the gin again 

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