Pob

I know its probably a stupid question.

I've seen those solid bars that go inbetween two cars.....but do you need to use brakes with these bars? (on the tow car)


Soz for been a idiot

Oranoco

Nope, towed a couple of non runners in the past. Tow car does braking. Go very steady and all should be fine.

Carlos-Titx

If its on the bar then the car being towed does not need to use the brakes. But the person steering, if possible needs to touch the peddle enough for the brake lights to come on when the towing vehicle is braking. The same for indicators etc so people know where you are going.

Pob

Ah right, champion. Thanks alot. Can sort something now.

Carlos-Titx

I had to get towed by one couple of weeks ago when works car decided it wanted the inside of the engine scattered across the M62 very strange being so close to the AA van.

Cossie Sean

be careful we bent one of these 3 pce towbars towing a mk3 escort 5dr with no brakes

tow car was an orion 1600E

bent really badly, any further it would have snapped as it was cracked where it bent.

this was a cheap bar from a fuel station and first time it was used, we were refunded though

saph4be

The cheap 3 piece vines you buy are not fit for using without brakes!

D16PJM

i towed a mk1 escort back a few years ago with no brakes, no window screen and my mate sitting on something that resembled a seat, he wasn't to pleased as it was raining and he got all the spray from the tow car, he still speaks to me but not to often

Twizz

I've got a solid bar with welded eyes on each end - god knows where I bought it from but have towed near enough everything with it. Had one of those three piece collapsible and also one with a spring type mechanism in the middle to help "cushion" when pulling away/braking but they both gave up so needed something stronger.

Probably some sort of scaffold bar with pieces welded onto each end.

I learn't recently towing with a solid bar then makes the complete set up as if you were to be towing a trailer (single car + trailer) whilst towing with a rope is a two car set up. Rope means the car behind needs to be taxed/mot'd/insured (and the driver needs to be able to, insured and licensed up) whilst using a bar the car infront covers for the car behind - its all a bloody grey area..

D16PJM

i thought that the car being towed should be insured although as said you seem to get away with it as long as nothing goes wrong, i tow with a A-frame now and officially the tow car needs insurance.

Twizz

See thats the grey area - ask different people and get different answers (I asked sussex police at brighton air show a few weeks back)

According to them... The car behind (if on a rope) would need to be insured etc. Using a bar turns it into a trailer so you "don't". Dolly's according to them are to get people off at the next junction (safe haven) but theres nothing stopping you turning off at every junction and re-joining...

Only thing your totally safe with is a trailer where all four wheels are off the floor or a recovery truck - but unless you're always using one, who'd have one?

Using a dolly makes the car into a trailer again, so according to them, "don't" actually need insurance on the car your towing.. I'd have imagined using an A-Frame would make it the same (I have one but never used it!) but who do you listen to?

Oranoco

Sounds very grey to me especially when the police often get the law wrong themselves.

v man

I once gave my mate a tow

I was towing his 3dr with my series 2 up the a1 with a rope at over a ton.

Things you do when young lol