No motor vehicle under 4000 lbs shall tow any vehicle 6000 lbs or more. Tow straps or chains can be kept in a vehicle and is recommended to have as part of a vehicle emergency kit. It’s important to use the location that’s designed specifically for this purpose. The law is pretty clear here – if the car being rope-towed has its four wheels on the ground, it’s treated the same as any other roadworthy vehicle, meaning that it must be insured and taxed with a valid MOT. Is It Legal To Tow A Car With A Strap Or Chains? Never attempt to tow a vehicle long distances. As the driver towing the disabled vehicle, make sure not to do any sudden stops and engage the break much earlier than normal to give the person you are towing time to stop and slow down. The towing vehicle will have an attachment point on the reach where you’ll attach your tow strap’s hook. 21715-a. Also establish a set speed; it is better to drive slowly. This is usually done by tying a coloured flapping cloth in the middle of the rope or chain. yes it is as long as u have someone to steer broken down car / u need two ppl to do this but its very efficient and under cost as to a tow truck so if u know what ur doing then go ahead and do … There needs to be a driver in the rear car with contol of the foot brake and the steering. If you’re stuck on the side of the road with a car that just won’t go, your only option is to tow your car to a safe place or to the mechanic’s shop. Been going to him f...", "Honestly a great company! Quality Towing & Emergency Roadside Assistance. To tow safely and legally, know the towing capacity (weight) of the car. It is hazardous and accidents could and do occur. Front-end car components are not designed to handle the pulling pressure of a tow, so finding a secure and safe place to attach a rope or chain that won’t damage your car can be tricky. When one vehicle is towing another with a rope or chain the maximum distance allowed between them is 4.5 metres. If the broken down vehicle meets the requirements of working lights, brakes, and steering, it is safe to tow the vehicle. Unread post by: Killaolt on Tue Sep 18, 2018 2:12 pm. Make sure as the driver of the broken down car, to pay close attention to the towing vehicle ahead of you. When deciding on a tow rope, you may be thinking that using a rope or a chain is a good option, but think again. If the vehicle being towed is a motorcycle, the space must be 2.5m or less. You pose certain risks to yourself and others on the road when you don’t follow safe practices for towing, so a lot of states have made using a chain or rope for towing an illegal practice on freeways. Legal Basics for Towing in Florida. When put under the weight strain of several thousand pounds of car, a rope can easily fray and snap. << previous chapter … You can find a tow strap in the car section of most local stores or at hardware stores and auto parts shops. Your email address will not be published. However, in the case of an animal husbandry vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less, the straps must comply with Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 393.70. In order to tow a vehicle, very often you will still need a driver in the broken down vehicle to steer and slow or stop the towed vehicle. If you need to tow your car by yourself, chances are that you are considering using a chain. Using a chain or tow straps is not only scary but also dangerous. 21715 No passenger vehicle regardless of weight, or any commercial vehicle less than 4000 lbs shall tow more than one vehicle in combination except for a car on a tow dolly. Is It Safe to Tow Your Car with a Rope or Chain? However, there is a right and wrong way to self-tow a car. Required fields are marked *. my car broke down and i need to tow it just 5km, but dont want to fork out a fortune for a tow truck, especially a week before xmas! (b) An operator drawing another vehicle and using a chain, rope, or cable to connect the vehicles shall display on the connection a white flag or cloth not less than 12 inches square. There are two ways you can tow your car: call a professional service for towing in Salt Lake City, UT, or do it yourself. Be prepared to slow down or stop or you can hit the other vehicle. It is better to call a towing company to help you relocate a broken down vehicle. In order to legally tow another vehicle, you will first need the proper equipment. Reviewed by: Michelle Seidel, B.Sc., LL.B., MBA. Thereafter, storage is $24 a day or any portion thereof, starting when it arrived at the tow yard. They make sure they enforce the parking in my small community so that first responders can get through when needed...", "I had a wonderful experience with this company, my car broke down, rick was on arrival within 20min fast and professional service, I would r...", "Fast friendly service Amr auto and towing I definitely recommend rick the tow driver he was friendly professional and clean my 2007 Nissan M...", "So 11 oclock at night my radiator blew. Locate the loop anchor on both vehicles. If your car was held by the tow company for less than six hours, you may not be charged for storage. With drivers in both vehicles, proceed to your destination. In a word, no. Step 4. They are located in the front and back of all vehicles. The recommended speed is 25 mph. If your car was held for less than 24 hours, you may not be charged an administrative fee. If it’s an automatic, then I’m afraid you’ll have to have it professionally recovered. Create a system of hand gestures or signs to help communicate with the other driver. No matter what the issue is, we will more than happy to send out a fully geared up tow truck to you with a qualified and professional tow truck driver to help you.. How To Load A Car On A Tow Dolly. "Shane and his crew at Action Mobile Repairs always go above and beyond in any repairs myself or family have needed done. Towing Dublin (Towing247.ie): We offer 24 hours towing roadside support in Dublin and its surrounding areas and a series of vehicle rescue services. My daughter has a Ford Probe which had a stalling problem about 3 years ago (stupid Mitsubishi ignition). After establishing a form of communication and the speed limit is determined, you can begin towing the vehicle. There is no rule that says you cannot tow a car with another. Have both vehicles turn on their hazard lights before moving. On two occasions, we used a tow rope to get her car home (about 10 miles), and then to tow it down to the Ford dealership for repair. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When choosing a tow strap, be sure to choose one with the appropriate weight capacity for your vehicle. Using a rope or chain to tow your car is actually illegal in some states. The towing connection must be secure and safe. If you need a towing service, contact Citywide Towing. It can damage your car: Most vehicles, especially newer models, don’t have a good place for connecting a rope or chain for a tow. Chains are not flexible enough for the varying tensions and pull directions for towing a car. Click to see full answer Just so, is it illegal to flat tow a car? Driving Safety Tips & Practices for New & Other Drivers in Addison, TX to Avoid Car Accidents. Towing a car with a tow-rope is legal, subject to complying with the relevant road rules and regulations, but it's not something we generally recommend. Step 2. Using a rope or chain to tow your car is actually illegal in some states. Although towing your car yourself is not ideal, in some circumstances it may be your only option. There are two ring or loop holes on the left and right side under the bumper. If the broken down vehicle is stressing or the braking system no longer functions, do not attempt to tow the vehicle. Just because you’re not controlling the vehicle completely doesn’t mean you can take a nap. Ropes snap: Most ropes just don’t have the strength needed to tow a vehicle. For those who may never have had to tow a vehicle before, Citywide Towing will walk you through the proper steps of preparing a vehicle to be towed. So in this instance, you’re going to … Last tow service to call should of been the first. Tow straps, chains, or a towing bar is a must. You can use a rope or a chain to tow a car but the best solution is a special towing strap The basics of towing a car • You can only tow a car with a manual gearbox. It must not be more than 15 feet long unless you are towing poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects that cannot be easily taken apart. When using an unsuitable tow rope, you run the risk of losing your vehicle on the road, which puts everyone in danger. Chains break: Although a chain is much stronger than a rope, it’s still not a safe option for towing. There should be a loop attached to your trailer hitch. Is it legal? When towing you will want to make sure you hook up the broken down vehicle correctly to prevent accidents or damage to you and other drivers. The Four Most Reliable Ways to Deice Windshields. A chain, when pulled taut in the wrong direction, can easily break. However, there are some important rules to obey. In order to tow a vehicle, very often you will still need a driver in the broken down vehicle to steer and slow or stop the towed vehicle. If the requirements are not met, contact a towing company. It’s dangerous: The bottom line is that towing a car with a rope or chain is dangerous to you, the person towing your vehicle and others on the road. While towing, ensure that no one is in the towed car. You pose certain risks to yourself and others on the road when you don’t follow safe practices for towing, so a lot of states have made using a chain or rope for towing an illegal practice on freeways. What this means is, the weight of the tow car must be bigger. the requirement will be if anything went wrong? Self-towing your car, when done safely and properly, may do in a pinch. If the rope/chain/wire used to tow is longer than 2m you must attach a flag to the rope/chain/wire to ensure its visibility. 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. It’s illegal: Yes, that’s right. Step 1. Do not exceed the manufacturer-approved towing capacity and regulatory towing limits Towing with a rope Towing a car with a tow-rope is legal, subject to complying with the relevant road rules and regulations, but it’s not something we generally recommend. I have to have a vehicle towed to a place to have some work done on it, but am curious if it's legal to use a tow strap. Don’t tow another vehicle with ropes or any other method that is not approved for towing! Make sure you hook both sides of the anchor to the vehicle that is being towed. When towing your car, you need to use a suitable tow strap. © 2017 City Wide Towing Service. a lack of power assistance to steering and brakes on the towed vehicle. 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, the rope or chain must be clearly visible within a reasonable distance from either side to other road users, by tying a coloured flapping cloth in the middle, for example Step 1. Before you attempt to tow another vehicle or be towed yourself, make sure first that it is safe. Step 3. (c) A motor vehicle may not draw more than three motor vehicles attached to it by the triple saddle-mount method. there isn't actually a legal requirement for towing ropes or wires etc. When one vehicle is towing another vehicle and the connection consists of a chain, rope, or cable, there shall be displayed upon such connection a white flag or cloth not less than 12 inches square. A nylon or polyester tow strap with manufactured end loops for attaching to the car is the safest option. Tow straps or chains can be kept in a vehicle and is recommended to have as part of a vehicle emergency kit. Only other answer yes i got was to b towed in the...". the towing company want to charge me 'after hours' fees after 430pm, and i dont finish work til 530. is it legal to tow with a rope and what would the fine be if its not legal? Yes it is quite legal to tow a car with a rope, providing that the rape is strong enough. If your vehicle stalled out a short distance from home and you need help getting it to your residence in order to repair it, or if your vehicle becomes undriveable for any reason, you can contact a spouse or friend to help tow your vehicle home, or a short distance. When a disabled vehicle is being towed by means of bar, chain, rope, cable or similar means and the distance between the towed vehicle and the towing vehicle exceeds fifteen feet there shall be fastened on such connection in approximately the center thereof a white flag or … It's not common, but it certainly isn't unheard of, to see someone towing another car with a tow rope. Never put someone in the towed vehicle as it is illegal. and was it fit for purpose. Additionally, it is hazardous to tow a vehicle without brakes, lights, or if you unable to activate the caution lights. Don’t tow another vehicle with ropes or any other method that is not approved for towing! Your email address will not be published. The very first step is to have two drivers ready. Don't let the rope jerk, don't let it touch the ground. Double check the towing straps, chain, or tow bar and see if they are secure. The chain can become loose or unhooked and this can cause serious damage or injuries. If a vehicle is towing another vehicle and the connection consists of a chain, rope or cable, a white flag or cloth at least twelve inches square shall be displayed on the connection. Using a chain to tow a car can be risky if you don’t do it with extra caution. If you're wondering how to tow a car without a tow bar, you can use a rope or chain, though as the RAC notes, the distance between the cars can't exceed 4.5 metres.If the distance is greater than 1.5 metres, the rope or chain must be made clearly visible to road users from both sides – for instance, by tying a bright piece of fabric around the middle. If a chain, rope, or cable is used as the towing connection, you must have a white flag at least 12 inches square attached to it. There are several reasons why you should avoid using a rope or chain for towing your car: It’s illegal: Yes, that’s right. When one vehicle is towing another with a rope or chain the maximum distance allowed between them is 4.5 metres. But if you want to avoid the hassle of a self-tow and ensure that you and your car are protected to the fullest extent possible, call AMR Towing for professional, 24/7 emergency towing in Salt Lake City, UT. Flatbed, Wheel Lift & Dolly Tow Truck Service, Emergency Roadside Assistance & Auto Wrecker Services. The only requirement is that the tow straps be of sufficient strength to tow the additional vehicle or load. All rights reserved. The towed vehicle would be in neutral with no braking mechanism in place.