Car Tow Ropes

[Ross365]

I've never owned a tow rope, but my two chariots now have an average age of 26 years.... and I too am getting on, and so start to worry about things .
So, anyone like to suggest where I might go to get two tow ropes, just in case....

A quick Google reveals that Screwfix have one, made by Hilka, rated to 2 tonnes, 3.5m long, fast release hooks both ends £7 ea.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pr...EALw_wcB#product_additional_details_container Good reviews.
Good enough?

 

[Bobtail4x4]

a tow strap is easier to store, so yes that will work

 

[Barking Mat]

I thought it had to be a fixed towing bar since some years back ?

 

[jenki]

Get a couple of large shackles to connect with the towing eyes on modern cars.

 

[Migmac]

I thought it had to be a fixed towing bar since some years back ?

As far as I’m aware you can still use a rope or chain. I haven’t been challenged yet by plod.

 

[Ross365]

Get a couple of large shackles to connect with the towing eyes on modern cars.

where do you get shackles from?

Screwfix seem to have a whole host or ropes and straps for sale; seems like they are still legal.

 

[Robotstar5]

where do you get shackles from?

Screwfix seem to have a whole host or ropes and straps for sale; seems like they are still legal.

Amazon and Ebay have plenty of choices, look for towing, D ring or Bow shackle.

 

[badabec]

I like my tow ropes a bit longer than 3.5m. I'd buy two and join them together.
You can't tow a DS, but you can tow with a DS.

 

[Islander71]

A yacht chandlers is a good source for strong rope and shackles.

 

[knighty]

you can use a rope to tow something out of the way / to make it safe

for anything more than that you're supposed to have a solid tow pole

I always just used a ratchet strap with a hoop in each end for shackles...

got pulled over while towing by a very angry copper who thought we were gig to plow through a school and kill a bunch of kids or something crazy


bought a "5 ton" tow pole after that... and bent the hooks on the end if it first time I used it, range rover towing an empty sprinter and taking it easy :-(

 

[bricol]

Old seat belts worked for me in the past - currently using a long lifting strap with shackles.

If you are being towed in a mot-less Metro by a mate in a BX using a borrowed solid pole, don't drop the clutch on Metro, having shoved it into gear, and apply throttle . . .

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

If you make the tow rope too long...even if you put a large red flag in the middle and have your hazards on there will be one plonker who will try to go thro the middle on a roundabout

 

[Agrismith]

Those tow straps from Screwfix aren't up to much. Shock loading if the tow vehicle isn't 100% with break timings will soon see one off. This is much better.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Kram]

I've never owned a tow rope, but my two chariots now have an average age of 26 years.... and I too am getting on, and so start to worry about things .
So, anyone like to suggest where I might go to get two tow ropes, just in case....

A quick Google reveals that Screwfix have one, made by Hilka, rated to 2 tonnes, 3.5m long, fast release hooks both ends £7 ea.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pr...EALw_wcB#product_additional_details_container Good reviews.
Good enough?

Please avoid Hilka, their rat het straps lasted all of a week before showing signs of failure. Look on Amazon at the negative reviews.
To be fair I did send back the first set straight away, and Hilka directly replaced the second set but I dont think they will last. I am only using them to secure a ladder to roof rack!

 

[qwakers]

24mm Black 8 Strand Nylon Kinetic Tow Rope x 15 Metres - RopeServices UK

Upgrade your towing with our durable 24mm Black Nylon 8 Strand Kinetic Tow Rope. With a generous 15-metre length, this reliable rope ensures safe and secure towing, whether for vehicles or heavy loads. Get the strength and flexibility you need for stress-free towing adventures.

www.ropeservicesuk.com

Elasticated recovery rope is 110x better than a solid strap

 

[addjunkie]

A yacht chandlers is a good source for strong rope and shackles.

Any decent farm agri suppliers sell them far cheaper than yacht shop

 

[Ross365]

Mmm, may be the £7 Screwfix ones are entry level. I am about as far from the coast as you can be; I could try the agricultural places for shackles

I've never towed a car, but I was once suckered in to driving a towed car which my (very dubious mate) wanted to move. He had taken on the job of taking out the original engine from a Triumph Stag and fitting in a Ford engine. He'd accepted some cash in advance from a rather "Ruff" individual, the job was going badly, and Mr Ruff was quite angry . At one point my mate wanted to relocate the car, so we towed it quite some distance with the most kn*ckered bit of rope you've ever seen.

The rope broke at a cross-roads in the centre of a small town. I was quite young and inexperienced at the time, so switched on the ignition and hazard warning lights. What I did not know that this also switched on the electric fuel pump and a great deal of fuel was released (no engine present). I think we were very lucky to escape the Plod on that date, and perhaps lucky to avoid the Burns Unit ?

My mate never completed the engine swop!

 

[addjunkie]

Mmm, may be the £7 Screwfix ones are entry level. I am about as far from the coast as you can be; I could try the agricultural places for shackles

I've never towed a car, but I was once suckered in to driving a towed car which my (very dubious mate) wanted to move. He had taken on the job of taking out the original engine from a Triumph Stag and fitting in a Ford engine. He'd accepted some cash in advance from a rather "Ruff" individual, the job was going badly, and Mr Ruff was quite angry . At one point my mate wanted to relocate the car, so we towed it quite some distance with the most kn*ckered bit of rope you've ever seen.

The rope broke at a cross-roads in the centre of a small town. I was quite young and inexperienced at the time, so switched on the ignition and hazard warning lights. What I did not know that this also switched on the electric fuel pump and a great deal of fuel was released (no engine present). I think we were very lucky to escape the Plod on that date, and perhaps lucky to avoid the Burns Unit ?

My mate never completed the engine swop!

Power steering and assisted braking makes towing quite interesting, best avoided if possible.

 

[Barking Mat]

As far as I’m aware you can still use a rope or chain. I haven’t been challenged yet by plod.

My apologies, just in France it's illegal apparently, if push comes to shove ratchet strap, straps work well.

 

[colnerov]

As far as I’m aware you can still use a rope or chain. I haven’t been challenged yet by plod.

I would seriously advise against towing with a chain, or wire rope for that matter, unless you're experienced at towing or being towed.