Are Tow Hooks Legal?

[Lancer1993]

yes is it legal to leave a tow hook in the front or rear when on public roads, either the solid stock ones or the folding ones like this?

[lancerdarryl]

considering you are supposed to remove towbar tongues when not in use they may not be legal.Either way they aren't particularly safe for pedestrians.

[Lancer1993]

With my old CC coupe I removed the towbar tongue because the ball would block the number plate, but I've seen loads of cars they run like that daily. Also a good idea to take it off if not in use to a) save it from the weather and b) the dreaded shin bash when getting something out of the boot! Also I think it looks better off when not needed. That said on the Pathfinder where the number plate is not an issue we have never removed it in some 17 years of ownership

As for the tow hook and pedestrian safety aside from bashing into it in a parking lot I think the 1.3 ton of CJ might do more damage if they got hit by the car in motion. I personally think the bigger issue is if you have a crash and its in place it could either do more damage to the frame or brake making it harder to move as they won't have a tow point.

But we do see loads of them on cars, mostly boy racer wantabes on P plates

Maybe I should just point the tow point decals back on the car?

[bumblebee]

Not sure if legal to leave in while not under tow, but theres a number of vehicle's i see each day with them left in place.
Maybe they dont bother to remove them cos they know they will only get a few kays up the road before the vehicle breaks down again?

Saftey first!
Lol

[Lancer1993]

depends what they are on, maybe they fear running off the road and need towing out of a ditch!

[bumblebee]

:lol: depends what they are on, maybe they fear running off the road and need towing out of a ditch!

Love it
Comedy Gold

[Shaun Patterson]

NO
no solid tow hook is legal to run. it create a high pressure area on the front of the car and a really high potenial risk of serious injury

[sarusa]

If not elegal, its not desirable.

[Ronan.Butler11]

But we do see loads of them on cars, mostly boy racer wantabes on P plates

Guess im not getting a tow hook then hahaha
gotta keep a good reputation in between the rev bashings i do

[Lancer1993]

Probably best to leave it off then and only put on for photos or track day!

[lancerdarryl]

Here we go,sorry about the photo quality. I thinks this covers it.

[bumblebee]

Here we go,sorry about the photo quality. I thinks this covers it.

I see who ever wrote this made this very broad. You could say that bullbars also come under this law/requirement as it is very open to your own interpretation.
Having said that. Might be wise to use commonsense and remove the tow hook when not required

[Lancer1993]

And tow bars.

I drive a charity truck and I know the rear step bar could be against this rule as it end flush with the side but it doesn't turn in towards the body.

Yeah it could be argued they are a safety device but I guess this is why they are either under the bumper like on my old Lancer or are made to be attached only when needed.

[aspir3]

The silly thingi find about the tow hooks is I'm sure the owners would be too scared to use them.

Personally i think they look rediculous and unsafe.

My moto is less is more. The more stupid things you put ob your car the less it looks. This includes rear spoilers, splitter shark fin roof diffusers etc.

[Lancer1993]

Saw this tow 'hook' the other day, its actually a strap.


https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Cars-Au ... 12f6QHjyqb

Not sure if its any better or more for show, and I can't find it in yellow