Towing bars

[shedrool83]

Needing to move a no runner about 6 miles.

Would usually hire a local garage's trailer but it isn't available at the moment.

Has anyone use one of these machinemart towing bars?

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... towing+bar

[maggspower]

I think I'm right in saying that you have to tow using one of these now rather than a rope. Personally I hate towing or being towed, I did however use one of those in an emergency and went 40 miles without too much bother. 2 lots of rozzers seemed uninterested.

There will be no paint left on the towing eye so be careful. and the car being towed needs to be insured, so if it doesnt have insurance one day cover, a trade policy, or insure and cancel within 14 days

[shedrool83]

I hate towing or getting towed myself it aint fun.
My uncle will be towing me and he has a traders policy.

Sounds like an option anyway from your experience maggspower.

Thanks for the reply.

[maggspower]

You are getting towed then? These things are short which always adds to the stress level. Another thing to think about is which sides the towing eyes are on, if its the same side no problem, but if its opposites like I had, then I was on the white line and the golf I was towing was in the gutter as you have to make an effort th keep the bar straight, moreso than a rope.

They are not designed to slow the towed vehicle either, you will still need to be on the brakes.

[Jesus325iTouring]

I've got that one and used it maaaaaaaaaaaany times,brilliant bit of kit and well worth the money. Have even used a 3.5 ton van to tow another 3.5 ton van with one and was up to that task no problem. Plod also don't seem bothered by them.

[magpie]

i use one quite often ,never had a problem and way better than playing car bungeeeee !

[Brianmoooore]

Have towed/been towed many hundreds of miles using one of these. As said above, no problem if both tow eyes are on the same side, but it can get 'interesting' with a diagonal bar.
If you are being towed, fix your eyes on the tow cars brake lights, and keep it at the same angle to yourself at all times.
The bit about not being designed to brake the towing vehicle is also true. One of the last times I was towing using a bar, I had to make an emergency stop. The bar folded in the middle, and went back into the front of the E46 behind me, destroying the front end!

[shedrool83]

Braking maybe an issue as its an non running e30 that's stood for awhile i need to move.

[Curr946]

get James bar Jake youll not have to worry but youll need a tow car with a tow bar

[shedrool83]

get James bar Jake youll not have to worry but youll need a tow car with a tow bar

Wish he was closer bud need to move it tomorrow.

[Jesus325iTouring]

The 3.5 ton van I towed, I dragged out of a field where it had been sat for 12 years, towing is not a problem as long as you keep speed low,the towing van did all the braking, it's just a case of looking further ahead and being more prepared than usual for roundabouts,junctions etc etc