kingsonlim
New Member
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.
adymanchester
Banned
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 ?
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,
Turboman
Mab An Gov
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
<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."
adymanchester
Banned
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.
khaos
New Member
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?
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'
Insurance just might be an issue, methinks
johnny curt 1
Well-Known Member
if towballs make **** recovery points just wondering if towballs with the pin thing are any better or are they just as bad
johnny curt 1
Well-Known Member
i meant the cast ones with the pin and eye built in with the ball on top or is that the one
johnny curt 1
Well-Known Member
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
Turboman
Mab An Gov
Damn right little tearaways deserv a good slappin
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)
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.
