Towing vehicle in QLD

[chops_Drover]

Need to know if there are any restrictions towing a vehicle with a strap/rope behind another vehicle in QLD.

Will be travelling about a half hour on main roads.

I have got one pdf on it & it just states that both drivers need licences.

[RAY185]

I've always been under the impression that its completely illegal but would be interested to find out for sure. Perhaps call Qld Transport.

[RUFF]

I've always been under the impression that its completely illegal but would be interested to find out for sure. Perhaps call Qld Transport.

I was under the same impresion. And have seen a mate get fined for it years ago.

[ISUZUROVER]

I've always been under the impression that its completely illegal but would be interested to find out for sure. Perhaps call Qld Transport.

I was under the same impresion. And have seen a mate get fined for it years ago.

Me 3.

I have been told a few times that the only way you can legally tow a vehicle is using a solid a-frame AND the the lights and brakes need to somehow be coupled to the tow-vehicle. An auto-electrician mate was fined for towing a vehicle on a solid a frame - cop said above (lights and brakes) - otherwise not legal.

Naturally this would mean significant mods to the vehicle you need to tow - which would need mod plates.

[chops_Drover]

But have a read of this.....

http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/Ge ... egislation

Its obviously off the QLD Transport Website,
No. 18 Miscellaneous road rules (PDF**, 99.6KB)

At the end of page 5, segment 295 & the start of page 6

I tried calling them & have sat on hold for half an hour, then when finally got through they said they would have to put me through to another section and sat on hold for another half hour, ended up hanging up... [/url]

[RAY185]

295 Motor vehicle towing another vehicle with a towline
(1) The driver of a motor vehicle towing another vehicle using a chain, rope, fabric, strap or wire (the towline) must
comply with this section.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2) If neither of the vehicles is a motorbike, the driver must keep a distance of not over 4 m between the vehicles.
(3) If at least 1 of the vehicles is a motorbike, the driver must keep a distance of not over 2.5 m between the vehicles.
(4) If the towline is longer than 2 m, the driver must attach a white or brightly coloured flag, piece of cloth or other similar
material (the warning material) to the towline in accordance with subsection (5).
(5) The warning material must—
(a) be substantially square or rectangular with 2 adjacent sides at least 300 millimetres long; and
(b) be attached midway along the towline; and
(c) be visible for at least 100 m from either side of the warning material.
(6) If the driver is towing at night, the driver must ensure the warning material is lit by a light attached to 1 of the vehicles.

Yeah I see what you're saying, reading that you'd assume its legal. I'd definately want confirmation from someone before doing it though, be it Qld transport (by phone) or Police (phone or call in).

Especially as it also says at the bottom of that page:

Warning—This is not an official copy of the Queensland Road Rules

Let us know how you go.

[ISUZUROVER]

Very interesting... As above though - I know one person who was fined.

Either this is a new rule, the cops don't know the rule, or - they say that is the engine in the towed vehicle isn't running, power brakes (and steering) aren't working - so the person in the towed vehicle does not have FULL control???

[chops_Drover]

It's a '85 model car that needs towing, no power steering. Surely the part about the engine not running isn't an issue. What other reason would you need to tow it.

I will ring the cops shortly hopefully they don't make me wait as long.

[chops_Drover]

Well, after a short wait on the phone with QLD Transport again, spoke to a Melisaa at 3:09 on the thursday 21/02/08.

She said it is legal to tow another vehicle by a secure form, rope, strap etc.

As long as both vehicles are RWC or registered.

It makes no difference if the engine isn't running.

be interesting to see what people have been fined for when towing.

[berad]

ive done it several times, i was told that the rope cannot be longer than 10 metres, but 90% of authorities dont know what their talking about, until i get fined ill continue.

[want33s]

AFAIK it is illegal to tow using rope, chain or any flexible strap.

I believe it is legal to tow using a "stiff hitch" IE: A pipe, tube or box section attached to the tow vehicle by means of a rated coupling* and attached to the vehicle being towed by chains or bolts if so designed.
This (I'm told) is so the towed vehicle cannot shunt the towing vehicle.
It used to work well when cars had REAL bumpers but you'd be hard pressed to find a car you could do it to now without making a mess of the front end.
* This could be tricky.. You still cannot exceed towing capacity.

[chops_Drover]

I was just told over the phone by a chick that it is legal to use rope or a strap. Which backs up the link I posted earlier.

Think I will give it a shot, if I get pulled up I have the chicks name, time of call date etc. Aswell as the link suggested.

Doubt I'll have many dramas, only a half hour drive I would be pretty unlucky.

[VertexZ]

in Victoria, you can line tow BUT the car needs to have properly operating lights, steering and brakes (in addition to certain rope lengths and warning markers)

Given most cars have power assisted brakes, the engine must be running when being towed. That pretty much limits the use of the line tow to a stuffed clutch or gearbox

Does a car with a defect that stops it running (properly) make it unroadworthy?

[80's_delirious]

I was just told over the phone by a chick that it is legal to use rope or a strap. Which backs up the link I posted earlier.

Think I will give it a shot, if I get pulled up I have the chicks name, time of call date etc. Aswell as the link suggested.

Doubt I'll have many dramas, only a half hour drive I would be pretty unlucky.

Ive had a bad experience being towed with a strap on the road and only about 3km drive.
Other drivers dont expect it and can be a PITA. If the strap is too long people wont realize your being towed, if its too short it makes it harder to avoid the tow car.

I literally had a car try and pull into the space between me and the tow car going around a roundabout

It takes a hell of a lot of concentration to avoid ramming the tow car.
Youve got to try and syncronize braking when you stop and also when the the tow car starts to move or accelerate the strap or chain is going to want to jerk you toward the tow car

A quick tip, dont ask a mate with a grunty V8 who is a known "unit" to do the towing for you. Makes it hell exciting

I would find another option, car trailer hire for less than $100 bucks is cheaper than any repair if you clash with the tow vehicle

[Mark2]

I was just told over the phone by a chick that it is legal to use rope or a strap. Which backs up the link I posted earlier.

Think I will give it a shot, if I get pulled up I have the chicks name, time of call date etc. Aswell as the link suggested.

Doubt I'll have many dramas, only a half hour drive I would be pretty unlucky.

Listening to the scanner (QLD) two nights ago:
(cop has vehicles pulled over, radios to ask traffic sargent the legalities)
Both vehicles must be registered, 4m length limit on strap/chain/rope etc

[neil_se]

Just make sure you carry a print out of the legislation with you and show that you comply.

[Sic Lux]

But the note at the bottom of that link states it not legislation so it's worth sweet F all and have emails from qld DOT and it says the same thing at the bottom of the page it gives you an idea but not the law. also best way to make a straight bar is a old tailshaft of decent lenght knock uni's out D shackle one end and drill and bolt a trailer couplink to the other end

[ausoops]

i got fined towing a mate 500m off a main rd on to a side street because we didn't have a warning flag on the tow rope, the coppers arrived lights and sirens, it turns out a tow driver called it in because we didn't use him to tow it away.

[chops_Drover]

Mark2
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:43 pm

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

chops_Drover wrote:
I was just told over the phone by a chick that it is legal to use rope or a strap. Which backs up the link I posted earlier.

Think I will give it a shot, if I get pulled up I have the chicks name, time of call date etc. Aswell as the link suggested.

Doubt I'll have many dramas, only a half hour drive I would be pretty unlucky.


Listening to the scanner (QLD) two nights ago:
(cop has vehicles pulled over, radios to ask traffic sargent the legalities)
Both vehicles must be registered, 4m length limit on strap/chain/rope etc

Both vehicles are registered, the one being towed motor doesn't run atm, that is why it is being towed.

The tow strap if it is longer than the 4m needs to have a flag or mrker in the middle of it that can be seen 100m away or something.


No V8 towing me. I live on a hill so being towed up & down that when it wasn't starting was an exciting experience.

I'm in Cairns also so traffic isn't really a concern, at 6:30-7am there is lucky to be 10 cars on road going our direction.