D4V3

Hi

I need to get my car to API Engines to get the Engine rebuilt.

I'm just wondering if you can tow a car down the motorway using a tow bar instead of a rope.

Cheers

Dave

Blobster

I may be wrong but I don't think you're allowed to tow on a motorway at all.

Blobster

MarksWRX

Yes you are. Rope can only be a certain length. 'A' frame is best if you can get one.

MarksWRX

And not allowed in the outside lane. Apart from anything alse it scares the person in the car being towed. I've been that person

KJD Mk1

iTrader: (3)

no ropes aloud, you must use a fixed bar unless its an an emergency just to get you off the road.and no towing in lane 3

M444GY

iTrader: (72)

tow away dave tow away

MarksWRX

Taking your car for an engine rebuild sounds like an emergency to me

billythekid

Dont forget you will have zero brakes once you pump the servo a couple of times - so make sure your tow driver does not brake suddenly....

No probs if you are using a bar though...

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

I'm assuming its a scoob? If it is Dont tow it there unless you disconnect the drive train. Scoobs have a max speed of 20mph for a max of 10 miles i believe. If you tow any distance you'll need a new gearbox by the time you get there. Scoobs also cannot be front or rear lifted either. The only way to transport them safely is a total lift. The distance i have quoted could be wrong but the speed is a sure thing.

alistair

Join the AA / RAC with recovery, then a week or so later, get them to take your car - you won't even need to go, they will just take it for you.

bartmanuk

now i know the bit about not lifting the front or rear end to tow but ive never heard of the one about max speed or miles,surely if its in neutral then it wont affect the gearbox,i thought that was wot the neutral was for,i have been told that to tow you must have either,all wheels on the ground or no wheels on the ground

StickyMicky

yeah i cant see the diffrence between towing it in neutral and rolling along the road in neutral with an engine running

what is this bloke on?

AlexM

Hi,

Maybe you don't get splash lubrication unless the input shaft is being turned by the engine.

The manual does say that you need to increase the oil fill level for the gearbox and observe speed and distance restrictions if towing the car on all four wheels - ingore it at your peril.

Cheers,

A.

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

WHAT AM I ON? Thats ok its not my gearbox/Diffs etc that are in danger of getting blown to peices. There are manny cars that have towing restictions on them. Although the car is in neutral the diffs are still going round(not good when you've got a lsd). It is stated in the handbook DO NOT TOW. You'll Find it in the intructions for towing the vechicle. I have a comprehensive list of what cars can/cannot be towed or front or rear lifted as i work in that industry and its my buisiness to tow or lift if necessary.

StickyMicky

my manuel is jap, but i bought a uk one and it states
that you must keep it under 20mph and a distance of under 31 miles

WHY??

dies that mean if your car has been towed 32 miles by a previous ower you cant ever tow it again?>

andypugh2000

this is what the book says

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

No it means the car can only be towed at a max of 20mph for a max distance of 31miles at any one Breakdown. The reason is that when the car is being towed the drivetrain doent get the normal lubrication when powwered by the engine. It can also wind the diffs up and lead to either diff, driveshaft or viscous coupling failure. In my earlier post i did get the distance wrong,that was from memory and have now checked and it is definately max 20mph for a max distance of 31 miles as stated above.

THE M25 FLYER

Turbotits is spot on i have just checked the towing data on my lap top and it is
max 20mph for 30miles.
The thing is doing 20mph up a motorway on the end of a solid bar is really going
to cause chaos,the 20/30 rule is really just to move the car to a place of safety.
The best bet is a total lift sorry, Mark (RAC patrol for my sins).

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for you input Flyer,I drive a yellow van rather than orange and am based around junction 22. What area are you from?

THE M25 FLYER

I have the pleasure of dartford tunnel clockwise round to junction 6 (Godstone)
also taking in parts of the M20/A20,M26 and A21 down as far as Tonbridge.
Not a bad patch if you like scrapping dead donkeys off the hard shoulder !!!!

D4V3

Cheers for that all, Probable saved me a Gearbox.

Now getting API Engines to pick the motor up later through the week.

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

No Problem and pleased you did'nt have to fork out for a gearbox as well