Question on doing own towing and saving money.

[markie76]

Hi guys,

I have a towing question which I have not been able to find the answer to anywhere on the net and if anyone can offer an answer I would be most grateful.

I have a classic car which has been rebuilt and has a working engine, brakes, basically all the running gear and suspension is new and in working condition. However, it doesn't have an MOT (needs exhausts mounted, indicators) or road tax. I have driven the car (on private land) and it goes and stops as it should but as it is not finished to MOT standard I cannot drive it on the public highway.

My question is:
Can I tow my classic car from home to the workshop (8 miles across London) as a broken down car, by hooking it up to another car with a tow rope? Somebody would be in it to do steering and braking.

Why would I not use a recovery firm you may ask. Well I have made enquiries and the best quote I have had is £60 each way, which for a simple 8 mile job is just greedy and I'd rather put the money towards workshop expenses.

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark.

[ooo000ooo]

AFAIK it's only legal to tow if the car is on a solid bar, tow rope isn't good enough. Have you tried local hire shops for car trailer rentals? When i had to move a car i was able to hire one for £12 for the day.

[markie76]

ooo000ooo

I see, so basically it has to be on a trailer attached to a car?

Other issue is my car doesn't have a towbar but am considering fitting one.

Out of interest can you tell me the details of the hire shop you used to rent that trailer? I have seen trailers for hire on the net but none in London and for more than the price you paid.

Thanks,

Mark.

[ooo000ooo]

Some thing like this - http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/s.nl;jsessionid=ac112b6b1f43d54dd9b9a32d4cf2969095 a7ac7fc281.e3eTa3aSaxmTe34Lc3uTbheRbNr0n6jAmljGr5X DqQLvpAe?sc=9&category=733&it=A&id=7312 would keep you legal. The hire shop i used only has branches in NI so not much use to you :)

[markie76]

ooo000ooo

Thanks for the info. Can I just confirm, If I got a towing bar/brace (as per your link) it would be legal to tow a car with no MOT on the public highway? Its just a shame my classic car is over 30 years old and they didn't put towing eyes/points on them in those days.

One final question (being a towing newbie you can let me off this one) - how do braked trailers work? Does the towing vehicle apply the trailer brakes with some sort of connection or does the trailer brake automatically? The idea of getting a towball fitted is growing on me.

Thanks.

Mark.

[ooo000ooo]

That's my understanding of the rules, best to check with a traffic cop or highways agency to be sure. On a braked trailer there's a piston built in the tow hitch which is full of brake fluid and connected to a brake piston on each wheel. When you brake the trailer trys to push the back of the car, the piston compresses and the brakes are engaged on the trailer.

What sort of car you got?

[markie76]

ooo000ooo

Cool, sounds like an innovative solution.

I have a Clio 1.4 and its spec state it can tow upto 600kg unbraked and somthing like 900kg braked. My classic car weighs in at around 600-650kg so a braked trailer should do nicely. Plus there are no hills on the 8 mile journey :-).

Thanks,

Mark.

[ooo000ooo]

Good luck towing with the clio, you're lucky there's no hills. What's the classic car?

[markie76]

ooo000ooo

Its a Triumph Spitfire MK4.

Thanks for your help.

Mark.