Towing bars ?

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Needed to tow a vehicle with my car the other day, wanted to get a towing bar but Halfords had none in stock so had to get a rope.

It did the job but it was an awful experience !

They're still out of stock so I've looked online and found a couple of options. Opinions needed from anyone who's got / used them ?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0015NRKJA/?tag=cliospnet01-21

or

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002NH6CEG/?tag=cliospnet01-21 ?

Thoughts as to whether the second one is worth the extra money .. bearing in mind I've only ever needed to tow anything once in 10 years of driving ! I don't want it to fail the first time I use it in 2 years time however...

Cheers

:evil:

 

[Paul172sport]

Ive towed and been towed using one like the 2nd one, much safer

one of those things, spend the money and prob never have to use it, but if you do at least you know it will be much easier,

however good ol rope in the boot never hurts either.

 

[edde]

The more expensive one better but the fiurst is more than enough if your carful and think what your doing,

 

[Saner]

Thought it was now illegal to tow usings a rope?

 

[Bluebeard]

I got one from an RAC man who had it surplus to requirements.

Its rated at 3.5 tonnes and mounts to a towbar. Epic bit of kit that is like towing a trailer.

Before that I had a halfords one and it was a bit pony. Although to be fair to it, I use them a lot and for what you'd use it for (once in a blue moon) it will probably be fine.

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Bought the £25 one today.

If towing with a rope is illegal, someone ought to tell halfords.


Cheers all !

 

[Scrooge]

Did you get that thing sorted today dude?

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Yeah. Nice 140 mile round trip... Parents eh :dapprove:

 

[Scrooge]

f**k that!

 

[Rob]

I'm glad I now have a tow friend

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

My services come at a price, oh green one.

 

[Djw John]

My draper one looks the same as the first one. It's been used and abused for years, everything from a Clio towing an Uno up to an auris towing a freelander, always done very well and got no concerns with it. I guess the second one is just a bit smoother

 

[Saner]

Don't know where I picked up the rope being illegal now then!

"When the vehicles are attached solely by a rope or chain, the maximum distance allowed between the vehicles is 4.5 metres. 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. The person in the broken down vehicle must be a qualified driver as he is actually driving the vehicle. A further point is that if it is dark then the broken down vehicle must have its lights on as it would under normal circumstances."

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Mine came with some red plastic tied to the middle of it... maybe that negates the legalities.

Cheers anyway

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Towing bar virginity lost this evening. Overall a much better experience than the flimsy bit of rope used last time !!

 

[Djw John]

Yeah it really is miles better, think mine will wear out eventually not towed with a rope since getting it!