Towing without a tow bar

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J

jazzevo

New Member
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Hi Guys. I've just bought my first Defender...and I love it! It's a 1995 Defender 90 SWB. Sorry to ask you guys such a naive question, but can I tow (a Renault Clio) without a tow bar? Is there a towing point at the back of the Defender to which I can fix a towing rope? Many thanks for your help.:confused:
 
it also worth buying a towing bar not rope. i find the bar a bit safer than a bar stops the car behind pilling into you.
 
I think you will find that that is not a 'towing eye'.... it is a lashing eye for securing a land rover when being transported. You should never use it for towing or trying to recover another vehicle as it is likely to fail.
I think you could remove one or both lashing eyes and fit a Jate Ring that you could tow with in an emergency? Its well worth fitting a tow bar.
 
MrJC said:
I think you will find that that is not a 'towing eye'.... it is a lashing eye for securing a land rover when being transported. You should never use it for towing or trying to recover another vehicle as it is likely to fail.
I think you could remove one or both lashing eyes and fit a Jate Ring that you could tow with in an emergency? Its well worth fitting a tow bar.
Click to expand...

Eggzackerly, don't tow anything with those eyes. Tis not what they were designed for. :eek::eek:;);)
 
Ain't it Illigal to tow with rope now unless it's an emergencie and even then until it out of way like if you break down at a junction just to get you off the junction
 
landy1uk said:
Ain't it Illigal to tow with rope now unless it's an emergencie and even then until it out of way like if you break down at a junction just to get you off the junction
Click to expand...
There is no law that prohibits towing with a rope or chain. However, the rope/chain may be no longer than 4.5 meters. If the rope/chain is longer than 1.5 meters, it must be made clearly visible to other road users. On the motorway it is different, the vehicle may be towed for no further than the minimum distance necessary to move it to a safe place, so it can be recovered by a recovery vehicle.
 
On the subject of towing, does a towed vehicle (i.e. towed by rope) count as a trailer to the point whereby the trailer towing laws apply?

For example, I have a disco 300 tdi with a MAM of something like 2700kg. If I tow another car (with rope) with a MAM of 2000kg, this would make my gross weight 4700kg which is obviously above the 3500kg limit for towing. (I passed after 1997) Would this be illegal or would I be right in thinking that the trailer towing laws do not apply to cars towed via rope? (given that they're technically not a trailer)

I have read the legislation regarding this (link below) but it doesn't answer my question.
The driving licence you need to tow a caravan or trailer : Directgov - Motoring

I think it is one of the most ridiculous laws we have. How are people supposed to abide by it if you need a masters degree to understand it? There's so many variables and things which are not specifically covered. (Like what I'm talking about here) It's just ridiculous.
 
Last edited:
RichM said:
On the subject of towing, does a towed vehicle (i.e. towed by rope) count as a trailer to the point whereby the trailer towing laws apply?

For example, I have a disco 300 tdi with a MAM of something like 2700kg. If I tow another car (with rope) with a MAM of 2000kg, this would make my gross weight 4700kg which is obviously above the 3500kg limit for towing. (I passed after 1997) Would this be illegal or would I be right in thinking that the trailer towing laws do not apply to cars towed via rope? (given that they're technically not a trailer)

I have read the legislation regarding this (link below) but it doesn't answer my question.
The driving licence you need to tow a caravan or trailer : Directgov - Motoring

I think it is one of the most ridiculous laws we have. How are people supposed to abide by it if you need a masters degree to understand it? There's so many variables and things which are not specifically covered. (Like what I'm talking about here) It's just ridiculous.
Click to expand...

I beleave it your towing a vehicle on a rope, it obviously broken, and your only supposed to tow to safety anyway, so as far as I am aware its legal i.e. to get someone off a motorway to next safe stopping point.
 
I'm guessing by tow bar you mean a bar you tow with, as opposed to the defenders own towbar? Just attach the rope on to that - they all have em dunt they?
 
RichM said:
On the subject of towing, does a towed vehicle (i.e. towed by rope) count as a trailer to the point whereby the trailer towing laws apply?

For example, I have a disco 300 tdi with a MAM of something like 2700kg. If I tow another car (with rope) with a MAM of 2000kg, this would make my gross weight 4700kg which is obviously above the 3500kg limit for towing. (I passed after 1997) Would this be illegal or would I be right in thinking that the trailer towing laws do not apply to cars towed via rope? (given that they're technically not a trailer)

I have read the legislation regarding this (link below) but it doesn't answer my question.
The driving licence you need to tow a caravan or trailer : Directgov - Motoring

I think it is one of the most ridiculous laws we have. How are people supposed to abide by it if you need a masters degree to understand it? There's so many variables and things which are not specifically covered. (Like what I'm talking about here) It's just ridiculous.
Click to expand...
A vehicle being towed by a rope is not the same as a trailer, as there must be someone in the towed vehicle to control the brakes and steering independantly of the towing vehicle. So the MAM of the towed vehicle is irrelevant. However, if the vehicle is being towed using an A frame or dolly, without anyone steering or controlling the brakes, then it is classed as a trailer, so all the relevant regulations apply. E.G brakes if it weighs over 750 kg and MAM restrictions.
 
martin1512 said:
A vehicle being towed by a rope is not the same as a trailer, as there must be someone in the towed vehicle to control the brakes and steering independantly of the towing vehicle. So the MAM of the towed vehicle is irrelevant. However, if the vehicle is being towed using an A frame or dolly, without anyone steering or controlling the brakes, then it is classed as a trailer, so all the relevant regulations apply. E.G brakes if it weighs over 750 kg and MAM restrictions.
Click to expand...

If you towed a vehicle with no tax insurance or mot with ANY of it's wheels on the ground it would be an offence to do so. Therefore a broken down vehicle is NEVER a trailer.

Also, under section 6, subsection 7 of the road lighting regulation it aint a trailer either.
 
ratty said:
If you towed a vehicle with no tax insurance or mot with ANY of it's wheels on the ground it would be an offence to do so. Therefore a broken down vehicle is NEVER a trailer.

Also, under section 6, subsection 7 of the road lighting regulation it aint a trailer either.
Click to expand...

Even if on a dolly or spec lift where only rear wheels on road? No wonder the old bill hang out around the car auctions
 
ratty said:
If you towed a vehicle with no tax insurance or mot with ANY of it's wheels on the ground it would be an offence to do so. Therefore a broken down vehicle is NEVER a trailer.

Also, under section 6, subsection 7 of the road lighting regulation it aint a trailer either.
Click to expand...
Sorry Ratty, but that is partly incorrect, The department for transport regard a car being towed on an A frame or dolly, and the A frame or dolly itself as a single unit, and therefore a trailer. you are however right in pointing out the anomaly that the towed vehicle must also be taxed insured and MOT'd.
 
martin1512 said:
Sorry Ratty, but that is partly incorrect, The department for transport regard a car being towed on an A frame or dolly, and the A frame or dolly itself as a single unit, and therefore a trailer. you are however right in pointing out the anomaly that the towed vehicle must also be taxed insured and MOT'd.
Click to expand...

Do you mean a brokendown or a non brokendown vehicle?;) 2 different regs.
 
Ratty is a recovery specialist. I'm sure he knows all the regs like the back of his hand else he'd probs have lost his driving licence by now!
 
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