On 07/10/2011 11:27, Jim S wrote:
I asked this question in another group and no-one came up with a definitive
current answer. The most recent legal(ish) answer was dated 2008

" I was informed last evening that it is illegal to tow a broken down
vehicle with a rope and it has to be a solid tow-bar. Is this true?"


Towing is covered by the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use)
Regulations 1986, which, in Regulation 85 (1), states:

'Where a trailer is attached to the vehicle immediately in front of it
solely by means of a rope or chain, the distance between the trailer and
that vehicle shall not in any case exceed 4.5 m, and shall not exceed
1.5 m unless the rope or chain is made clearly visible to any other
person using the road within a reasonable distance from either side.'

I have read that rigid tow bars are, however, a requirement when towing
on a motorway, but have not found the relevant legislation.

Colin Bignell