Towing with a Discovery 2

I have a 2004 V8 Discovery 2 and I need to tow my son about 10 miles in his Discovery 1 but I have no tow hook. Where should I attach a tow rope on my vehicle rear so that I don't do any damage.

Dave49 said:

I have a 2004 V8 Discovery 2 and I need to tow my son about 10 miles in his Discovery 1 but I have no tow hook. Where should I attach a tow rope on my vehicle rear so that I don't do any damage.

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Thought you couldnt/ shouldnt tow a 4x4. Winds up the diffs?

Unless some one has cut then off there should be 2 loops under the rear one on each chassis rail near the mounts for the tow bar, (guess you don't have a tow bar) I'm sure one of these would be fine for a few miles on tarmac, but don't think anyone would advice you to use then to recover a 4x4 stuck off roading. If you want to be extra careful spread the load between both of them.

And to answer the second post stick the transfer box in neutral.

bencorkill said:

Thought you couldnt/ shouldnt tow a 4x4. Winds up the diffs?

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no its fine to tow them ,even auto if you put transfer box in neutral

put transfer box in neutral find something solid on back of tow car attach rope and tow away. Just don't forget your towing as it causes road rage on roundabouts

Sorry for the screen shot, but you get the idea!

Dave

Disco DJ said:

Sorry for the screen shot, but you get the idea!

Dave

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but thats on the rear chassis check for rust first

Good luck with the tow, drive carefully.

On the legal side of towing:

1. Both vehicles must be taxed and both must have a current MoT certificate, if not, use a trailer.
2. The person in control of the towed vehicle must hold a full driving licence for the class of vehicle.
3. The vehicle being towed must clearly display an sign "ON TOW" at the rear.
4. Vehicle hazard flashers should not to be used; the Highway Code states that they are only to be used on a stationary vehicle which is creating a hazard. If you feel that you must show a hazard indication, use a beacon on the roof, but it's not a legal requirement.
5. If the tow is taking place after "lighting up time" the statutory vehicle lighting must show on both vehicles.

Towing with a rope, strop or chain is perfectly legal, the only other restriction applies to the length.

This is from the Police National Legal Database:

1. When the vehicles are attached solely by a rope or chain, the maximum distance allowed between the vehicles is 4.5 metres.
2. If the distance between the two vehicles exceeds 1.5 metres then the rope or chain must be made clearly visible within a reasonable distance from either side to other road users. This is usually done by tying a coloured flapping cloth in the middle of the rope or chain.
3. Note: Vehicles are only to be towed on motorways, for the minimum distance necessary, to reach a place of safety where recovery may be effected by a recovery vehicle. (Added by me) Generally the police will allow a broken down vehicle to be towed off a motorway usually at the next exit but will not allow a vehicle to be towed onto a motorway.

I believe that for towing with a solid or spring loaded "tow pole", similar restrictions and recommendations as those for using a rope apply.

Towing with an "A-Frame" opens up a whole new can of worms since it generally turns the vehicle on tow into a trailer when different rules start to apply.

I purchased another d1 300 yesterday & towed it back with my d1 300,80 miles 70 was motorway with a proper aa straight bar I have.steady 50mph no problems from traffic police etc and no probs with the d1 just make sure everything is in neutral on gearboxes

Thanks for all the responses, great help!