Towing, recovery and the rules

[Scrapcarbuyers]

Not sure if this is in the correct place as i am very new around here and only arrived here after spotting some traffic to one of my own websites from PH's, so if it is in the wrong place i apologise.

Oh, by the way hello all, i am new here and generally go under the name of Chalkie but seems someone beat me to it here ...

Now my questions are as follows:

If i recover a vehicle using a suspended tow and it turns out the vehicle ( a customers - not my own) is not with MOT am i breaking the law even if i am ignorant to the fact? Same with tax, although i could hardly plead ignorance to the latter like i could the MOT issue!

Secondly, if i tow a scrap unroadworthy vehicle that belongs to me using a suspended tow am i breaking the law?

Thirdly, if i tow a roadworthy but untaxed or un MOT'd car that belongs to me using a suspended tow am i breaking the law?

I ask as i am considering ading another vehicle to my fleet to allow me to recover or transport heavier vehicles than i can get on my beavertail, however, keen to stay within the law i do not want to buy the vehicle unless i will be within the law. I considered a 7.5 ton tilt and slide only to find that the average transit beavertail can carry almost as much weight.

I would ask the local constabulary, however, as much as i do not mind being on hold with the local non emergency number, i hate to take up a traffic cops time when i am eventually transferred as the local no emergency operator has no clue of the answers to my questions.

[martin mrt]

By suspended tow I gather you intend to use a "spec lift" type vehicle?

If thisis the case then you will be fine in each scenario as the towed vehicle is classed as part of the towing (tractive) vehicle once loaded and secured

Using a dolly as a form of suspended tow I believe is different and the towed vehicle must be legal (unless going to/from an mot) in each case

[Scrapcarbuyers]

Thanks for your reply, same as a spec lift i suppose, however, will be using a Harvey Frost crane type winch and chains to suspend.

[V8mate]

Rather than start a new thread....

Is it legal to tow a car with no MOT, tax and own number plate, with all its four wheels on the ground?

Essentially... can I tow my track car to and from race crcuits without investing in a trailer? (which I can afford, but have no-where to keep)

[shovelheadrob]

V8mate said:

Rather than start a new thread....

Is it legal to tow a car with no MOT, tax and own number plate, with all its four wheels on the ground?

Essentially... can I tow my track car to and from race crcuits without investing in a trailer? (which I can afford, but have no-where to keep)

If you are using an A frame or towing dolly I think it would be classed as a trailer and come under such rules, which would mean that unless it is under 750kg it would require overrun brakes, on a solid bar with someone steering would be a no no, so unless you can find a dolly with brakes you'll have to get a trailer. If it helps there are plenty of caravan storage facilities that will accept a trailer, I pay around £150 per year for very secure storage for mine.

[V8mate]

Thanks Rob. Looking at the size of the braked dollies, I'd probably still have space/security issues with it. Didn't think of the caravan site solution; there's a few round here, I'll see what's what

[Super Slo Mo]

Or, you can have the towed car modified to have towing eyes and a coupling to the brakes, and you then have a special A-Frame that activates the brakes. Trailer board goes on the back, and it effectively becomes a trailer. Company near me does the mods, shout if you want their details. Cost is about £850 (I have no connection with them, just to clarify).