Car Tow Ropes

[mart]

I would not risk a fine for using a rope on the highway. Save your money, and points on license and Join a breakdown company.

 

[Matchless]

My 1944 Austin 6x4 lorry was delivered by the dealer I bought it from as part of the deal, I expected a low loader or large trailer, it apparently arrived being towed with a solid bar,

 

[Farside]

This thread prompted me to dig out the towrope I carry, made in the 80's from some 20mm polypropylene, I spliced and whipped an eye in each end and it towed many a dead rally car out when I used to do recovery.

View attachment 528013

I'd be surprised if there's any strength left in that, after so long.
I had PP ropes guying my mast, they lasted three years and literally fell to bits.
Even allowing for that towrope being indoors or in a boot most of the time, I've given up trusting PP.

 

[Robotstar5]

Given its age test it because they degrade over time.

Is it light that causes it to degrade?, it's always been kept in a dark bag.

 

[Matchless]

We have all the registration numbers but these days it is impossible to get access to owners details, unless you are a car park company, or a garage owner who has a vehicle left on their premisses with an unpaid invoice, been retired for too long to try that one! It would be useful to know if the numbers came back to kebab shops! not old vehicles either, 25 and 75 plates,

 

[colnerov]

Is it light that causes it to degrade?, it's always been kept in a dark bag.

Yes UV is the biggest cause but as Farside says, don't trust it, after all it's been 40 plus years festering in the boot.

 

[Ross365]

We have all the registration numbers but these days it is impossible to get access to owners details,

I kept the very first car I ever owned for 40 years, then sold it to someone I thought would cherish it and restore it , but he sold it on pretty quickly.
I'd love to find out who has it (it lists as SORN 10 years after I sold it) . All my attempts to find it through owners clubs etc have failed . I loved to know who has it.

 

[Barking Mat]

I kept the very first car I ever owned for 40 years, then sold it to someone I thought would cherish it and restore it , but he sold it on pretty quickly.
I'd love to find out who has it (it lists as SORN 10 years after I sold it) . All my attempts to find it through owners clubs etc have failed . I loved to know who has it.

I just googled one of my vehicles, SORN 'd, in 2005 apparently, not by me though.

Yes, I have owned it since 1999 and still do.

 

[qwakers]

I would not risk a fine for using a rope on the highway. Save your money, and points on license and Join a breakdown company.

show me what offence code would be added to your licence for towing with a rope...


bet you cant find one.

it is totally and completely legal to tow with a rope, even (if only technically) on a motorway.

and before you say due care and attention, they have to demonstrate that you where performing the operation in a way that any normal and reasonable person would consider dangerous.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Sadly I think a lot has changed with rescue services over the years.

Rope, torch, emergency puncture kits etc I think are kind of essential in addition to subscription to a rescue service.

Some of my cars have double cover too!

 

[Bobupndown]

You're right. That got me thinking.
Back in the 70's and 80's, towing some random person to a place of safety, helping change a tyre or giving a jump start was a regular and normal thing. Then cars and tyres got better....

Had to do both these things yesterday on the same (work) car!
Wouldn't start and needed a booster pack to jump it, then hit a huge pothole on an unlit country road last night and wrecked a tyre, delighted to find it actually had a spare wheel and that it had some, not a lot, of air in it. Got us home anyway. Two new tyres fitted to it today.