I see that Lidl are selling a few car accessories starting next week.
I am thinking of getting the car towing bar to keep in the boot for
emergencies http://tinyurl.com/8agb7

I've only ever towed using a rope before but if using this bar does the
car being towed still have to apply the brakes to slow/stop, or is all
the braking done by the car that's doing the towing - leaving the other
to just steer the car?  Do you think for 4.99 this bar will be up for
the job? It certainly doesn't look as big & strong as the one's I see
the RAC / AA use!

"Mark"  wrote in message
news:3i0h3bFiu1vhU1@individual.net...

> I see that Lidl are selling a few car accessories starting next week.
> I am thinking of getting the car towing bar to keep in the boot for
> emergencies http://tinyurl.com/8agb7
>
> I've only ever towed using a rope before but if using this bar does the
> car being towed still have to apply the brakes to slow/stop, or is all
> the braking done by the car that's doing the towing - leaving the other
> to just steer the car?  Do you think for 4.99 this bar will be up for
> the job? It certainly doesn't look as big & strong as the one's I see
> the RAC / AA use!
>

It won't be as strong as them, but it won't be used several times a day
either. It's for occasional use. As for the brakes, when towing, in theory
you shouldn't need to use the brakes when being towed, but in practice it
won't hurt to help the tower out a bit. If the towing vehicle brakes for
instance on a bend or curving approach to a roundabout, the towed vehicle
can push the back end of the towing vehicle sideways, causing a jack-knife
effect.  Braking by the vehicle on tow can assist in preventing this. It
pays to keep your wits about you at all times.

Steve

The message 
from "Mark"  contains these words:


> I've only ever towed using a rope before but if using this bar does the
> car being towed still have to apply the brakes to slow/stop, or is all
> the braking done by the car that's doing the towing - leaving the other
> to just steer the car?  Do you think for 4.99 this bar will be up for
> the job? It certainly doesn't look as big & strong as the one's I see
> the RAC / AA use! 


I've got something similar and it's excellent, but it's a good idea of
the trailing car does some of the braking. Mine's got a tad bent 'cos a
friend's inept husband was - well - inept.

The only thing I found was that I couldn't attach it to the back of the
Montego - so I welded a cheap coupling to it and now fit it to the
towball.

Smashing things though - and way way better than a towrope.

-- 
Skipweasel.
Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."

"Mark"  wrote in message
news:3i0h3bFiu1vhU1@individual.net...

> I see that Lidl are selling a few car accessories starting next week.
> I am thinking of getting the car towing bar to keep in the boot for
> emergencies http://tinyurl.com/8agb7
>
> I've only ever towed using a rope before but if using this bar does the
> car being towed still have to apply the brakes to slow/stop, or is all
> the braking done by the car that's doing the towing - leaving the other
> to just steer the car?


Most of the time, I reckon the towing car could probably cope with the
braking on it's own. Under very heavy braking, it looks a bit suspect.
Despite that, I'd be inclined to treat it like a rope. Braking with the
towed car so the bar is mostly in tension, rather than compression.
It's also probably a helluva lot easier and safer to use than a rope, if the
driver in the towed or towing car is inexperienced. Less chance of them
ramming the towing car up the rear.
All sorts of disasters can be caused by drivers who don't know what to do
when being towed on a rope.

  Do you think for 4.99 this bar will be up for

> the job? It certainly doesn't look as big & strong as the one's I see
> the RAC / AA use!


It probably isn't, but no doubt their bars are designed to cope with
vehicles heavier than 2000Kg
Mike.

>
> It probably isn't, but no doubt their bars are designed to cope with
> vehicles heavier than 2000Kg
> Mike.
>
>


is this fitted to a eye to eye type thing, or the car that pulls has that
caravan towing wotist?  and if its eye to eye, do you have it the same side
or diaganal?

Mark wrote:

> I see that Lidl are selling a few car accessories starting next week.
> I am thinking of getting the car towing bar to keep in the boot for
> emergencies http://tinyurl.com/8agb7
> 


Great, thanks very much for that. I was just about to buy the tow rope 
from Aldi. For 2 more, this bar would be a much better idea.

>I see that Lidl are selling a few car accessories starting next week.
> I am thinking of getting the car towing bar to keep in the boot for
> emergencies http://tinyurl.com/8agb7
>
> I've only ever towed using a rope before but if using this bar does the
> car being towed still have to apply the brakes to slow/stop, or is all
> the braking done by the car that's doing the towing - leaving the other
> to just steer the car?  Do you think for 4.99 this bar will be up for
> the job? It certainly doesn't look as big & strong as the one's I see
> the RAC / AA use!



For the price it looks to be a bargain.  Halford$ sell a similarly basic bar 
for 20 (where I bought mine from).  I've only had to use mine once and that 
was towing somebody else, but it was soooo easy compared to using a rope!

The bar will cope with most cars provided you accelerate and brake gently - 
it's difficult for the towed vehicle driver to know how much force to put on 
the brakes because there's no 'give' in the bar unlike a rope, so the towing 
vehicle does most of it and the towed vehicle just presses the brakes gently 
(mainly to show the stop lamps).

You will need easily accessible towing eyes on both cars for it to be much 
use, if they are obstructed by something such as a towbar (like mine) then 
you'll have to revert to a rope.  I've not tried using the bar on my new car 
but I don't think it will work too well because the rear towing eye is now 
hidden by the towbar, and the front one is quite low and some way under the 
car on the engine crossmember...

Darren

The message <xYEue.47366$Vj3.13502@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk>
from "Julian 'Penny for the guy'  Hales" 
contains these words:


> is this fitted to a eye to eye type thing, or the car that pulls has that
> caravan towing wotist?  and if its eye to eye, do you have it the same side
> or diaganal?


It doesn't seem to matter much. Since I use the towball on mine it's
always in the middle at the towing end. The towee can make up their own
mind about where to drive.

-- 
Skipweasel.
Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."

In news:d9f3pn$irk$1@news8.svr.pol.co.uk,
shazzbat  decided to enlighten our sheltered 
souls with a rant as follows

> "Mark"  wrote in message
> news:3i0h3bFiu1vhU1@individual.net...
>> I see that Lidl are selling a few car accessories starting next week.
>> I am thinking of getting the car towing bar to keep in the boot for
>> emergencies http://tinyurl.com/8agb7
>>
>> I've only ever towed using a rope before but if using this bar does
>> the car being towed still have to apply the brakes to slow/stop, or
>> is all the braking done by the car that's doing the towing - leaving
>> the other to just steer the car?  Do you think for 4.99 this bar
>> will be up for the job? It certainly doesn't look as big & strong as
>> the one's I see the RAC / AA use!
>>
> It won't be as strong as them, but it won't be used several times a
> day either. It's for occasional use. As for the brakes, when towing,
> in theory you shouldn't need to use the brakes when being towed, but
> in practice it won't hurt to help the tower out a bit. If the towing
> vehicle brakes for instance on a bend or curving approach to a
> roundabout, the towed vehicle can push the back end of the towing
> vehicle sideways, causing a jack-knife effect.  Braking by the
> vehicle on tow can assist in preventing this. It pays to keep your
> wits about you at all times.


I find it's always better for the vehicle being towed to do 90% of the 
braking.


-- 
Pete M

Range Rover Vogue SE, Ford Capri (ressurection stalling)
Porsche 911 3.2 (For Sale)

COSOC #5
Scouse Git extraordinaire. Liverpool, Great Britain

"Mark"  wrote in message
news:3i0h3bFiu1vhU1@individual.net...

> I see that Lidl are selling a few car accessories starting next week.
> I am thinking of getting the car towing bar to keep in the boot for
> emergencies http://tinyurl.com/8agb7
>
> I've only ever towed using a rope before but if using this bar does the
> car being towed still have to apply the brakes to slow/stop, or is all
> the braking done by the car that's doing the towing - leaving the other
> to just steer the car?  Do you think for 4.99 this bar will be up for
> the job? It certainly doesn't look as big & strong as the one's I see
> the RAC / AA use!
>
> Look at the photo on the Lidl advert , the car being towed is about 4 feet

behind the tow car......... it feels really strange going 30 mph 4 feet
behind the car in front let me assure you
steve the grease

Darren Jarvis wrote:


> For the price it looks to be a bargain.  Halford$ sell a similarly
> basic bar for 20 (where I bought mine from).  I've only had to use
> mine once and that was towing somebody else, but it was soooo easy
> compared to using a rope!


I have the halfords one - used it lots of times (had it about 6 yrs) and 
it's been very handy - did a 50 mile motorway tow with it (towing a volvo 
S80) and it survived me joining the m62 from the m1 full throttle in first, 
second and third....

It's also survived a "stupidity run" done to deliberately annoy the guy who 
broke down (suffice to say his vehicle never went that fast under its own 
power!)

Remember that following driver should be given warning on braking (press 
brake gently, give him time to react and press his brake before applying 
more pressure) - he'll have no servo without a running engine so is unlikely 
to rip you apart by hitting the pedal...

Certainly recommend it to anyone.


-- 
"Excuse me, would you mind not farting while I'm saving the world?"

              "Would you rather silent but deadly?"

"Julian 'Penny for the guy' Hales"  wrote in
message news:xYEue.47366$Vj3.13502@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk...

>
>
> >
> > It probably isn't, but no doubt their bars are designed to cope with
> > vehicles heavier than 2000Kg
> > Mike.
> >
> >
>
> is this fitted to a eye to eye type thing, or the car that pulls has that
> caravan towing wotist?  and if its eye to eye, do you have it the same
side
> or diaganal?


Definitely on the same side.
Connecting diagonally would be asking for trouble.
From the pic it connects to the towing or transit eyes.
Dunno how you get on if it's modified by adding a towing hitch.
Most towing eyes are to one side or the other, so with a hitch, the bar
would not be in line with the cars.
Guy. Does it cause any problems?
Mike.

> It won't be as strong as them, but it won't be used several times a day
> either. It's for occasional use.


I can't see why the frequency of likely use is going to affect the strength 
to which it's made. It either is strong enough or it isn't. Towbars don't 
wear out.

Rob Graham

The message <42bb40c9$0$2411$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net>
from "Mike G"  contains these words:


> Guy. Does it cause any problems?


Not for me - but I'm in the front car! Seriously, mine always pulls from
the middle of my car but it often attaches to one side of the victim.
Doesn't seem to matter. At worst all they do is drive 18" to one side of
me which ain't a problem in most cases - till you get to the chicanes.

-- 
Skipweasel.
Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."

"Guy King"  wrote in message 
news:313030303432373942BBC65B23@zetnet.co.uk...

> The message <42bb40c9$0$2411$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net>
> from "Mike G"  contains these words:
>
>> Guy. Does it cause any problems?
>
> Not for me - but I'm in the front car! Seriously, mine always pulls from
> the middle of my car but it often attaches to one side of the victim.
> Doesn't seem to matter. At worst all they do is drive 18" to one side of
> me which ain't a problem in most cases - till you get to the chicanes.
>
> -- 
> Skipweasel.
> Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."
>


Isn't there a tendency for the back car to slide to one side under breaking 
and run into the back of you unless you're braking in a dead straight line?

I currently have a 3 ton webbing strap with a bungie throught the middle of 
it - keeps it off the floor most of the time and the steel sprung hooks on 
the ends make it a 5 second job to attach/detach. Doesn't slow the car 
behind *at all* though...

Tim S Kemp wrote:


> It's also survived a "stupidity run" done to deliberately annoy the guy who 
> broke down (suffice to say his vehicle never went that fast under its own 
> power!)


If you're saying what I think you're saying , then I'll be the first one 
to bite and call you an utter twat.

R L Driver wrote:


> behind the tow car......... it feels really strange going 30 mph 4 feet
> behind the car in front let me assure you


The first time I used one, I was towing a friend in a 3 series BMW so 
the gap seemed perfectly normal.

One tip with these things is to make sure you're carrying the right 
sized spanners. We used a cheapo bar and while it was easy enough to put 
on, it was bit fiddly to remove using just a ring spanner and pair of 
pliers.

"Guy King"  wrote in message
news:313030303432373942BB220088@zetnet.co.uk...

> The message 
> from "Mark"  contains these words:
>
> > I've only ever towed using a rope before but if using this bar does the
> > car being towed still have to apply the brakes to slow/stop, or is all
> > the braking done by the car that's doing the towing - leaving the other
> > to just steer the car?  Do you think for 4.99 this bar will be up for
> > the job? It certainly doesn't look as big & strong as the one's I see
> > the RAC / AA use!
>
> I've got something similar and it's excellent, but it's a good idea of
> the trailing car does some of the braking. Mine's got a tad bent 'cos a
> friend's inept husband was - well - inept.
>
> The only thing I found was that I couldn't attach it to the back of the
> Montego - so I welded a cheap coupling to it and now fit it to the
> towball.
>
> Smashing things though - and way way better than a towrope.


TBH I've always wondered about so called 'towing eyes'.
Are they actually designed to be used in that way?
The ones at the front maybe, but the ones at the rear?
Some look distinctly flimsy. Just a thin 'U' shaped piece of diameter welded
to a strongish part of the underbody. Often hanging downwards, rather than
sideways, which would be more appropriate for towing purposes.
I'm sure I've seen them referred to as 'transit eyes'. Simply used to hold
the car down whilst it's being shipped or transported.
What do the manufacturers advise? Anyone know.
Mike.

"Rob graham"  wrote in message
news:d9g5jb$okg$1@nwrdmz01.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...

>
> > It won't be as strong as them, but it won't be used several times a day
> > either. It's for occasional use.
>
> I can't see why the frequency of likely use is going to affect the
strength
> to which it's made. It either is strong enough or it isn't. Towbars don't
> wear out.
>

No. they fail after X No of impacts/overload strains etc. The more it is
used, the sooner X will be reached. The stronger it is, the higher the value
of X, and the longer it will last.

Steve

"Willy Eckerslyke"  wrote in message
news:d9ggsd$m7s$1@fantastix.bangor.ac.uk...

> R L Driver wrote:
>
> > behind the tow car......... it feels really strange going 30 mph 4 feet
> > behind the car in front let me assure you
>
> The first time I used one, I was towing a friend in a 3 series BMW so
> the gap seemed perfectly normal.
>

LMAO

>> behind the tow car......... it feels really strange going 30 mph 4 feet
>> behind the car in front let me assure you
>
>The first time I used one, I was towing a friend in a 3 series BMW so 
>the gap seemed perfectly normal.
>


A few years ago I overtook a pair of tow-ers who were doing about 70
on the M56.
The gap between the cars was about 4 feet.
I was shocked when I realised they were using a ROPE!

I'd been towed by the AA with a bar a few weeks earlier so I reckon
I'd have been terrified to have been in the following car.
Looked like a recipe for tail-ending each other.

"shazzbat"  wrote in message 
news:d9grkh$r87$1@news8.svr.pol.co.uk...

>
> "Rob graham"  wrote in message
> news:d9g5jb$okg$1@nwrdmz01.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...
>>
>> > It won't be as strong as them, but it won't be used several times a day
>> > either. It's for occasional use.
>>
>> I can't see why the frequency of likely use is going to affect the
> strength
>> to which it's made. It either is strong enough or it isn't. Towbars don't
>> wear out.
>>
> No. they fail after X No of impacts/overload strains etc. The more it is
> used, the sooner X will be reached. The stronger it is, the higher the 
> value
> of X, and the longer it will last.
>
> Steve
>
>


OK

Rob

"Mark"  wrote in message
news:3i0h3bFiu1vhU1@individual.net...

> I see that Lidl are selling a few car accessories starting next week.
> I am thinking of getting the car towing bar to keep in the boot for
> emergencies http://tinyurl.com/8agb7
>
> I've only ever towed using a rope before but if using this bar does the
> car being towed still have to apply the brakes to slow/stop, or is all
> the braking done by the car that's doing the towing - leaving the other
> to just steer the car?  Do you think for 4.99 this bar will be up for
> the job? It certainly doesn't look as big & strong as the one's I see
> the RAC / AA use!


I've got the cheaper of the two Machine Mart ones. Never had to use it yet
but it's got to be better than a rope.

A bit off topic but
I once came across the situation where the towed car had overrun the towing
car and they were wedged side by side. Their English wasn't that good and
the towed driver smelt of alcahol. They asked me for help to get 'just over
there' so I hopped into the towed car to be taken for a two mile drive. I
did get a lift back tho'.

The message <42bbd0c7$0$2432$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net>
from "Mike G"  contains these words:


> TBH I've always wondered about so called 'towing eyes'.
> Are they actually designed to be used in that way?


Some are, most aren't. They're generally intened as lashing eyes - to
secure the car to a transporter. Not that recovery firms use 'em for
such. Lashing the tyres makes a lot more sense as it allows the
suspension to keep working without being snubbed all the time by the
lashings.

-- 
Skipweasel.
Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."

The message <bXOue.51218$Vj3.9377@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk>
from "PC Paul"  contains these words:


> Isn't there a tendency for the back car to slide to one side under breaking 
> and run into the back of you unless you're braking in a dead straight line?


Not if they're driving slightly off to one side of you. To be honest, if
you're going that fast and braking that hard you should expect the sort
of trouble you deserve.

Not you personally, of course! 

-- 
Skipweasel.
Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."

"Guy King"  wrote in message
news:313030303432373942BC1E7741@zetnet.co.uk...

> The message <42bbd0c7$0$2432$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net>
> from "Mike G"  contains these words:
>
> > TBH I've always wondered about so called 'towing eyes'.
> > Are they actually designed to be used in that way?
>
> Some are, most aren't. They're generally intened as lashing eyes - to
> secure the car to a transporter.


What I thought.
Front ones usually look as if they might be strong enough, but most rear
ones, IMO, look somewhat iffy to use for towing. Especially if using a rigid
bar.
Mike.

"Mike G"  wrote in message
news:42bb40c9$0$2411$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...

>
> "Julian 'Penny for the guy' Hales"  wrote in
> message news:xYEue.47366$Vj3.13502@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
> >
> >
> > >
> > > It probably isn't, but no doubt their bars are designed to cope with
> > > vehicles heavier than 2000Kg
> > > Mike.
> > >
> > >
> >
> > is this fitted to a eye to eye type thing, or the car that pulls has
that
> > caravan towing wotist?  and if its eye to eye, do you have it the same
> side
> > or diaganal?
>
> Definitely on the same side.
> Connecting diagonally would be asking for trouble.
> From the pic it connects to the towing or transit eyes.
> Dunno how you get on if it's modified by adding a towing hitch.
> Most towing eyes are to one side or the other, so with a hitch, the bar
> would not be in line with the cars.
> Guy. Does it cause any problems?
> Mike.
>


interesting.