Every driver has experienced a situation in which his vehicle simply did not want to move forward. Be it that the engine went on strike, the battery had given up the ghost or the vehicle had simply slipped into the ditch, it could not continue on its own and the car had to be towed away. Well, if for such a case one tow rope at hand.

What is a tow rope?
On tow rope is an important part of the tool kit and should be as handy for emergencies as it is warning triangle, of the jackand the key for the wheel nuts. The tow rope serves to connect two vehicles and is used when the vehicle to be towed can no longer drive on its own. Depending on the version, there is one tow rope made of several interwoven strands of synthetic fiber (for example nylon) or natural fibers (sisal). On a tow rope special requirements are set, which are specified in DIN 76033.

What are the requirements?
The tow rope may not exceed a maximum length of 5 meters. The rope must be marked clearly perceptible, either by a red cloth or a warning flag approximately in the middle. In order to withstand the heavy demands of towing, a tow rope must withstand certain loads. This load is expressed by the weight class for which the tow rope is designed. It ranges from 1,900 to 6,000 kg traction. The total weight of the towed vehicle must not exceed 4,000 kg.

What are the advantages of a tow rope?
The rope saves space as it can be rolled up and stored in a corner of the trunk. Commercially available towing ropes are ready to use and comply with the requirements of the DIN standard. They have the necessary length, withstand the required load and are provided with a warning mark. For attachment to the vehicles they are equipped in most cases with shackles or snap hooks. Good towing ropes are also provided with means for damping shock when starting.

What are the disadvantages?
A tow rope may only be used if the brakes of the towed vehicle are still working. The weight of the towed vehicle must not exceed 4,000 kg. In addition, the use of a tow rope requires some practice because the handling of the towed vehicle changes dramatically.

How is a tow used?
When a vehicle is being towed, the hazard warning lights on both cars must be turned on to alert other road users to the potentially dangerous situation. The tow rope may only be attached to the eyelets on the vehicle. For most cars, these eyelets are front right and rear left. This arrangement is chosen so that the tow rope forms an angle to the direction of travel and so the jerk is reduced when starting. Where exactly the eyelets for attaching the tow rope are, is in the manual of the respective car. To dampen the jerk when starting, some tow ropes have rubber bumpers, others are elastic or stored in a housing. In general, the principle is to drive very carefully and slowly when towing and to avoid sudden strong movements of the steering wheel and sharp turns. Especially when braking, the driver of the towed car must warn the towed vehicle in good time, so that it does not come to a rear-end collision.

Which alternatives to the tow rope are there?
As an alternative, often a tow barused. This creates a rigid connection between the two vehicles and ensures a constant distance. The braking and traction forces of the towing vehicle are transmitted directly to the towed car. That is why the tow bar is also suitable for cars with unserviceable brakes. It can be problematic when driving through tight bends. Since a tow bar is quite heavy and takes up a lot of space, it is almost only used by professional towing services.