Towing in an emergency situation

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I plan to join my regional 4x4 response group sometime next year, so it may help if I have a better understanding.

I am a responder myself with the Yorkshire & Lincolnshire 4x4 Response....and I've passed my test after 1997 without addition trailer test....

4x4 response work do not normally involved with towing any vehicle on a public highway. We generally do recoveries, recover stuck vehicle out of a 'situation'. And once that vehicle is out of such 'situation', we leave them to drive away themselves. If the vehicle has broken down and not drivable, a tow truck or flatbed is called. Hence, 4x4 response mainly only do recoveries and not towing.
 
Been a interesting thread subject this ,never realized how complicated it is ,but i passed my test in 1982 so therfore anybody like to had what i can tow legally ?
 
as said previously, this towing weight thing is a minefield, and although the local Bib won't know it chapter & verse, the VOSA guys certainly will.
There are now VOSA guys out & about 24hrs a day, mainly on the motorway, and they'll pull anyone that they feel could be breaking one of a number of laws in reference to this.

You've got the problem with those who passed their test after 1997.
Then there's the tow limit of the towing vehicle.
Then there's the maximum that you can tow without the trailer having to have working over-run brakes (750kg if my memory serves me correctly)
Then you got the maximum designed *Train weight* .....This is were people with small recovery vehicles are coming unstuck, they have 1 vehicle on the back of the truck, and are towing another vehicle on a trailer, or a caravan, then then fall outside the *train weight* = kerching!!

It's an absolute minefield! and it's all down to a knee-jerk reaction from when that guy landed his Landy plus Landy on a trailer on the railway line.

I assume you are referring to the Selby Rail Crash - driver towing landy fell asleep after spending all night on the internet....but as this happened in Feb 2001 it can hardly be responsible for law introduced from 1997. :)
 
i think a bit of common sense has to be applied here. towing a stuck vehicle on a rope out of a ditch or snow drift in a recovery situation is not the same as towing a trailer. if plod gets his knickers in a twist, be polite, dont admit anything , insist on court if he wants to take it further, he knows it wont get anywhere, firstly cps have to be convinced its a sure fire conviction and 99% percent of the time magistrates will use common sense if it does get that far,
 
Been a interesting thread subject this ,never realized how complicated it is ,but i passed my test in 1982 so therfore anybody like to had what i can tow legally ?
As fer as i know ady us oldies can tow 3500 kg on trailer with overrun brakes.youve got to stay under the train weight too.I bleeve we can also drive 7.5tonne rigid trucks but my 26yo daughter cant.I might be wrong sure shifty or paul c will correct if so:)
 
Been a interesting thread subject this ,never realized how complicated it is ,but i passed my test in 1982 so therfore anybody like to had what i can tow legally ?

<H3>"Car licences held before 1 January 1997

</H3>All drivers who passed a car test before 1 January 1997 retain their existing entitlement to tow trailers until their licence expires. This means they are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes MAM. They also have entitlement to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kgs MAM."

:)
 
Hey turbo ,less of the oldies ! im only 46 you know, yep i know about the 7.5 tonne truck bit just wasnt sure of the towing part but iv never had any problems with anything ,think coppers look at me now and i dont register on there radar ,think its more the younger guys they pay attension to.
 
I am a responder myself with the Yorkshire & Lincolnshire 4x4 Response....and I've passed my test after 1997 without addition trailer test....

4x4 response work do not normally involved with towing any vehicle on a public highway. We generally do recoveries, recover stuck vehicle out of a 'situation'. And once that vehicle is out of such 'situation', we leave them to drive away themselves. If the vehicle has broken down and not drivable, a tow truck or flatbed is called. Hence, 4x4 response mainly only do recoveries and not towing.

I know this may be a stupid question but can I join before I pass my test? I have off road experience but I haven't passed my test so by the time I do most of the bad weather will be gone. I will probably not be any use until the winter after this one. Is there like a list I can be on for he future?
Another thing is they ask if you have a towball etc. but mines a bit more complicated that that. For example, I have a towball but you couldn't put trailers on it because it is painted. Can I do the registration over the phone because I think that would be easier?
 
Another thing is they ask if you have a towball etc. but mines a bit more complicated that that. For example, I have a towball but you couldn't put trailers on it because it is painted. Can I do the registration over the phone because I think that would be easier?

So... you have the tow ball for what exact reason? Cus tow balls make **** recovery points for off-roading unless on the flat... there main purpose is to tow things...

You could also calm down a bit and be patient - wait till next year when you have passed then sign up. We will have more snow and more people getting stuck next year so you will still be able to go and play 'hero'
 
So... you have the tow ball for what exact reason? Cus tow balls make **** recovery points for off-roading unless on the flat... there main purpose is to tow things...

You could also calm down a bit and be patient - wait till next year when you have passed then sign up. We will have more snow and more people getting stuck next year so you will still be able to go and play 'hero'

if towballs make **** recovery points just wondering if towballs with the pin thing are any better or are they just as bad
 

most simple version ive seen of it is the ball itself is on a 1" thick pin that goes through the body of the hitch wich is shaped like an industrial shackle bolted to the vehicle the other type ive seen is the ball is fixed and the shackle pin is seperate
 
Hey turbo ,less of the oldies ! im only 46 you know, yep i know about the 7.5 tonne truck bit just wasnt sure of the towing part but iv never had any problems with anything ,think coppers look at me now and i dont register on there radar ,think its more the younger guys they pay attension to.
Damn right little tearaways deserv a good slappin;)
 
if towballs make **** recovery points just wondering if towballs with the pin thing are any better or are they just as bad

Yeh fine, if on the flat i use the tow bar as the recovery point, but at angles it could easily slip off the top of the ball, so, if you have a pin you can put the shackle through then it's all good.

(as said assuming the tow ball is attached to something solid)
 
most simple version ive seen of it is the ball itself is on a 1" thick pin that goes through the body of the hitch wich is shaped like an industrial shackle bolted to the vehicle the other type ive seen is the ball is fixed and the shackle pin is seperate


Yeah they're much better (than a tow ball), the only worry of mine is catching it on a rock or something (since its the last thing that sticks out on the approach/departure angle) and cracking it or breaking the pin or its clip. I keep the pins in the car though. For the first issue I've mounted mine as high up and out the way as possible.
 
Yeh fine, if on the flat i use the tow bar as the recovery point, but at angles it could easily slip off the top of the ball, so, if you have a pin you can put the shackle through then it's all good.

(as said assuming the tow ball is attached to something solid)


wots wrong with putting a shackle around the neck of the tow-ball?
 
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