Towing

[jimmyjam]

After breaking down at the weekend with a clutch problem, I need to get my '72 Alfa Junior about a mile down the road to the local mechanic. I've used up my favours with the RAC man, no mates with trailers nearby so I thought I'd look at one of these fixed towing bars from Halfrauds. Anyone got one, any good, OK for older cars? etc etc.

[lowdrag]

Like, for which car are you talking? You can tow the Alfa on a rope if you want (assuming it isn't the brakes that are the problem). If it is a classic car that is towing there are specialist suppliers.

[braddo]

I think a tow rope around one of the lower front wishbones is usually how it's done.

[bigblock]

The problem you might find with the fixed towing bar from Halfords is that it is designed to fix to the towing eye that most modern vehicles have. I don't know if your classic will hve one of these.

Also the small u shaped shackles that attach the bar are pretty narrow and may not fit around any other convenient part of the suspension.

I know this might be obvious but you still need someone to steer the towed vehicle, in case you thought you could do it single handed with a fixed bar !!!

[jimmyjam]

My train of thought behind the towing bar was to avoid the horrible inevitable jerk that comes with rope towing. She's a rusty old girl and fragile at the best of times so I thought the yanking might open up some wounds! I'll definitely have someone driving but was worried about the fixings and where it attaches. Anti roll bar is the only place really I think on my Alfa so if you don't think it will go on there then it may be a dead end.

[onomatopoeia]

I've towed and been towed in some very rusty cars, if the shell wont survive a rope tow it's time for the crusher.

You can avoid the jerk by keeping the rope taut and not running right up behind the towing vehicle.

[Tedswagon]

Best way to tow on a rope is for the towing car to be the brakes. Car in front has to be smooth getting up to speed and the car at the back is the brakes for both cars. With an old car with old brakes I'd say you would be better with a bar as long as you can get a save place to connect it to the Alfa.

[braddo]

It's only a mile though - a rope is surely fine if you take it really steady and keep the Alfa on the brakes. What sort of road/terrain does the trip involve? If it's flat and not busy a couple of you could just push the car there in 20 minutes!

[jimmyjam]

I did consider the pushing option but it is a main road and there are some slight inclines so I can't be @rsed.
I'm sure the rope towing will be fine.
Braddo, have you got any pics of your GTV to share with us!

[braddo]

Hmm, I do need to try and work how to do that properly!

[pacoryan]

IIRC A rope is only legal in an emergency otherwise a solid bar must be used? And a lower speed limit adhered to?

Not a rule I've ever stuck to religiously and over a 1 mile distance it wouldn't cause me to spend money on a fixed bar! As mentioned above, use the towed car to maintain tension with brakes and no jolting, hey presto!