Hi guys,

I had to tow my girlfriend last night when her tin can of a matiz died a death. I had a polypropylene tow rope in the RR so used this. First couple of times we pulled away it jerked quite hard where she kept pressing the brake Not sure it's done my tranny any good.

Anyway...as a result I'm considering whether getting a bungee style tow rope is a better idea so it doesn't jerk as it takes up tension or if a tow pole would be better??

My friend said that when he was towed by the AA, they used a pole and he didn't have to brake at all, just steer. Is this true? I'd have thought that some braking would still be required?

Would the bar crunch my bumper when going round corners?

Possible contenders:

Rope
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/...TC=SRC-tow

Bar
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/...TC=SRC-tow

Any help or advice will be much appreciated

I've used one of those elastic ropes and they're good in stopping any excess slackening in the tow rope (if you have an amature in the following car).

You will however still get the "jurk" every now and then

The bar is obviously the best solution RRS gone
Audi SQ5...Gone Audi Q7 S-Line 240 3.0TDI Gone
Audi A6 Allroad Sport 270 3.0TDI

Gonna stick my two pence worth in here. If you get stopped by vosa, they will throw book at you if using a rope. They are actually illegal means of towing now.
Being a knob, I invested in a Brian James trailer, but on those occasion when one of my sons tins falls over in middle of night a tow pole is ideal. Plus there is no chance the car behind will run into you. There are various types but get one that clamps on towing eye. 2x TDV6. SE and HSE. Both returned to sender with issues👀
TDV8 Sport HSE...... Gone. Loved it but it didn't love me!!
Now rolling in MY10 Fullfat TDV8 Vogue. Slammed it to go round corners🙈
Cruising daily #56 mph in a Volvo V8. 😱
Lots of other toys in the cupboard...😜

This is news to me Simple

When did this come into effect? RRS gone
Audi SQ5...Gone Audi Q7 S-Line 240 3.0TDI Gone
Audi A6 Allroad Sport 270 3.0TDI

simple1 wrote:

They are actually illegal means of towing now.

I don't think ropes are allowed on motorways but are ok on A and B roads.

Does the tow bar in machine mart look ok? Anyone know about whether brakes still have to be applied in the car being towed?

Found this after much searching:

My son has advised me on this, he is a VOSA enforcment officer. As others have posted, yes it is now illegal to use a tow rope. Unless the vehicle poses a significunt danger as to postion to pedestrians or other road users if the vehicle is to be left in position, however the vehicle must not be moved if it where to be it would imped an investigation.
As regards to towing a vehicle home if it's deemed that it is only a short distance of up to a mile and will not be on Motorways a rope can be used, however the vehicle being towed must comply the Road Traffic Act and must have valid Insurance MoT and Road Excise Duty (tax).
If the vehicle doesn't comply it must be recovered by another means i e full recovery or suspened tow. An A frame towing device can be used by a private car to tow a non compliant vehicle as the towing car complies with the Road Traffic Act, but must not exceed maximum towing weight for that car that is towing.


However, someone else asked the police highways dept and they quoted the highways act which states it's not illigal to use a rope ..

 RRS gone
Audi SQ5...Gone Audi Q7 S-Line 240 3.0TDI Gone
Audi A6 Allroad Sport 270 3.0TDI

Hence why I said that if you get stopped by Vosa. Didn't mention the police. As a garage owner, we were sent the law change info by VOSA in 2009 to come into effect in 2010. I, like many, have used a rope to get a car shifted from a precarious place with police in attendance and nothing was said. But do know of several local guys who have been given slapped wrist by traffic plod.
It's one of those, certain things have been brought in and not publicised, such as four wheel trailers only being towed by four wheel drive vehicles. If you get stopped by Vosa check point you will get done, if stopped by police you won't. Strange but fact.  2x TDV6. SE and HSE. Both returned to sender with issues👀
TDV8 Sport HSE...... Gone. Loved it but it didn't love me!!
Now rolling in MY10 Fullfat TDV8 Vogue. Slammed it to go round corners🙈
Cruising daily #56 mph in a Volvo V8. 😱
Lots of other toys in the cupboard...😜

Looking at the bar thing, wouldn't it be better to get something that connects to the tow bar if you have one. Do they make such a thing.
Just curious ? ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

I think they do A frames that connect to the tow ball but they'd be a little tricky to keep as a 'just in case' item in the boot

, Yes, I fancy an 'A' frame would, was meaning more of the bar type  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

The bar I have has a ball hitch one end that fits on tow ball, the other end has a hook with ratchet strap fixing that hooks round tow eye. You can get various options which include a chassis clamp ( useless with today's low front bumpers) or one with hooks both ends if you don't have a tow ball. Will try and find you a link. 2x TDV6. SE and HSE. Both returned to sender with issues👀
TDV8 Sport HSE...... Gone. Loved it but it didn't love me!!
Now rolling in MY10 Fullfat TDV8 Vogue. Slammed it to go round corners🙈
Cruising daily #56 mph in a Volvo V8. 😱
Lots of other toys in the cupboard...😜

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/...-051510006
Try this. If it doesn't work it's machine marts site.  2x TDV6. SE and HSE. Both returned to sender with issues👀
TDV8 Sport HSE...... Gone. Loved it but it didn't love me!!
Now rolling in MY10 Fullfat TDV8 Vogue. Slammed it to go round corners🙈
Cruising daily #56 mph in a Volvo V8. 😱
Lots of other toys in the cupboard...😜

Got something similar.

Collapsed it fit under the rear seats. '08 RRS TDV8
I converted my diesel RRS to run on an environmentally friendly mixture of caribou fat and baby seals oil

Simple1, the one I put up in my first post has a spring damper built into it - would that one be better?

Still not sure about the whole braking situation with the tow bars.