Thread: Using Tow Ropes

Originally posted by DEFENDERZOOK
best solution here is dont flat tow

with the amount of idiots on the roads you will have someone cut you off causing you to jump on the brakes.

my theory is the tow vehicle will stop before the towed vehicle........ due to the fact that the towed vehicle wont want to pull up cuase the engine isnt running, ande hence no power assistance to the brakes.
let alone the close distance to the tow car.

any bigger gap between the two vehicles and someone will jump between the two...if however its a motor bike it may trip over the tow rope and become a speed hump for the towed vehicle....

It is illegal in NSW, but many people still do it anyway. I have not heard of anyone being fined over it. Maybe the police dont care as long as you arent travelling at an unsafe speed and are considerate of other road users. Matt

Originally posted by Ace


It is illegal in NSW, but many people still do it anyway. I have not heard of anyone being fined over it. Maybe the police dont care as long as you arent travelling at an unsafe speed and are considerate of other road users. Matt

Not so sure of that (yet)

Australian Road Rules

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>294 Keeping control of a vehicle being towed
(1) The driver of a motor vehicle must not tow another motor
vehicle unless:
(a) either:
(i) the driver can control the movement of the towed
vehicle; or
(ii) the brakes and steering of the towed vehicle are in
working order and a person who is licensed to drive
the towed vehicle is sitting in the driver’s seat of the
towed vehicle, and is in control of its brakes and
steering; and
([img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif[/img] it is safe to tow the towed vehicle.

295 Motor vehicle towing another vehicle with a towline
(1) The driver of a motor vehicle towing another vehicle using a
chain, rope, fabric, strap or wire (the towline) must comply
with this rule.
Offence provision.
Note Motor vehicle is defined in the dictionary, and vehicle is defined in
rule 15.
(2) If neither of the vehicles is a motor bike, the driver must keep a
distance of not over 4 metres between the vehicles.
Note Motor bike is defined in the dictionary.
(3) If at least 1 of the vehicles is a motor bike, the driver must keep
a distance of not over 2.5 metres between the vehicles.
(4) If the towline is longer than 2 metres, the driver must attach a
white or brightly coloured flag, piece of cloth or other similar
material (the warning material) to the towline in accordance
with subrule (5).
(5) The warning material must:
(a) be substantially square or rectangular with 2 adjacent sides
at least 300 millimetres long; and
([img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif[/img] be attached midway along the towline; and
&copy; be visible for at least 100 metres from either side of the
warning material.
(6) Subrule (2), (3) or (4) does not apply to a driver if the driver is
exempt from the subrule under another law of this jurisdiction
and is complying with the conditions (if any) of the exemption.

[/b][/quote]

Haven't been able to find anything under NSW regs. that contradicts the ARR

Bushie

Originally posted by Bushie+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bushie)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Ace


It is illegal in NSW, but many people still do it anyway. I have not heard of anyone being fined over it. Maybe the police dont care as long as you arent travelling at an unsafe speed and are considerate of other road users. Matt

Not so sure of that (yet)

Australian Road Rules

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>294 Keeping control of a vehicle being towed
(1) The driver of a motor vehicle must not tow another motor
vehicle unless:
(a) either:
(i) the driver can control the movement of the towed
vehicle; or
(ii) the brakes and steering of the towed vehicle are in
working order and a person who is licensed to drive
the towed vehicle is sitting in the driver’s seat of the
towed vehicle, and is in control of its brakes and
steering; and
([img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif[/img] it is safe to tow the towed vehicle.

295 Motor vehicle towing another vehicle with a towline
(1) The driver of a motor vehicle towing another vehicle using a
chain, rope, fabric, strap or wire (the towline) must comply
with this rule.
Offence provision.
Note Motor vehicle is defined in the dictionary, and vehicle is defined in
rule 15.
(2) If neither of the vehicles is a motor bike, the driver must keep a
distance of not over 4 metres between the vehicles.
Note Motor bike is defined in the dictionary.
(3) If at least 1 of the vehicles is a motor bike, the driver must keep
a distance of not over 2.5 metres between the vehicles.
(4) If the towline is longer than 2 metres, the driver must attach a
white or brightly coloured flag, piece of cloth or other similar
material (the warning material) to the towline in accordance
with subrule (5).
(5) The warning material must:
(a) be substantially square or rectangular with 2 adjacent sides
at least 300 millimetres long; and
([img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif[/img] be attached midway along the towline; and
&copy; be visible for at least 100 metres from either side of the
warning material.
(6) Subrule (2), (3) or (4) does not apply to a driver if the driver is
exempt from the subrule under another law of this jurisdiction
and is complying with the conditions (if any) of the exemption.

[/b][/quote]

Haven't been able to find anything under NSW regs. that contradicts the ARR

Bushie[/b][/quote]

This is all i have been told by numerous people. I have flat towed vehicles and never been bothered. Matt

The SA regs are virtually identical to the Australian Roads Rules (probably just copied). Note there is no mention of a sign or anything on the towed vehicle stating that it is 'On Tow', likewise for the SA regs. I always thought this was a requirement just like the flag on the towrope, but apparently not.

4 Metres for the towrope seems to be the go though.


Paul [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]