As above are they illegel to use? You can buy them new from petrol stations still including tesco ect branded "the aa" I've heard from a couple people that only the solid bars can be used?

As far as short distance recovery of a breakdown goes, anything that isnt blatantly dangerous is legal. I carry a tow strap because it doesn't take much space up and it's the fastest way to get hitched up and away.

Planned movement of a car is a different story.

I used a solid bar to push a car from behind. Not sure whether that's sensible but it is impossible with a rope.

Towing with a rope is not against any laws, but a solid bar is the preferred method, you can't tow onto a motorway but you can tow off to the nearest exit

Yeah it's just a thought, I carry a tow rope in my boot as it's small, but I suppose I have rac if it's a long distance recovery I need, I've heard the tow rope is legel to get you out of a hazard area,

Apparently some people say Keep to 60 on a motorway and 1st lane only, with an on tow sign and hazards ect and it's legel

Others say you have to get off at the first exit,

I've never sceen a car on a rope on the motorway so that might explain it......

Sceen another thing on a police database saying vehicles on the motorway must take the shortist distance off the motorway, so itleast I've found out they are still legel to use which is good in an emergency.

A tow rope can be used to move a vehicle from a place of danger to a place of safety. However towing over any considerable distance with a rope is indeed illegal and a towing pole should be used. Can pick these up really cheap though these days, saw a sprung sealey one a few months back and that was only £15. Telescopic as well so folded down to a reasonably small package.

I've heard for a while now that towing with a rope, if it's not an emergency, is illegal. So if you 'Plan' to move a car from one location to another you must use a solid bar or dolly or some other fixed method.

If I'm driving the tow vehicle I prefer to use a solid bar anyway as a lot of people these days don't have a clue when it comes to being towed on a rope.

I used a solid bar to push a car from behind. Not sure whether that's sensible but it is impossible with a rope.

Pushing is never a good idea. The person in charge of the power needs to be able to see the road ahead. Most tow poles will bend if you push with them.

Towing dollies arent strictly legal for transport, as trailers over 750kg need to be braked on all axles.

A frames need to have a braking system for transporting for the same reason.

This doesn't apply for recovery, which is why the RAC and AA use them on their vans.

Thanks alot guys, some usfull information 👍