Member Since: 31 Dec 2018
Location: Brittany
Posts: 90
Tow rope and jump leads, recommendations please?
Now we have a D4, and there may be some bad weather coming, I think I should get a tow rope of some description, and some jump leads, so I can help others in the village if needed.
I believe our D4 will be fine, but want to be able to offer assistance if needed.
Can anyone suggest a simple tow rope that I could use with our tow hook?
Should I get a specific heavy duty set of jump leads; any recommendations on length and thickness
Any guidance greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Andy
13th Jan 2019 10:10 pm
Bardley
Member Since: 02 May 2018
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 439
Nice gesture to make to help neighbours with jump starting, but personally I wpuld steer clear of using the D4 to start another car.. the system is so voltage dependant, you may well cause yourself a problem unnecessarily.
If you really want to get involved, maybe consider a jump pack? There are a few threads with some recommendations if you have a search. The bonus is that you have it for yourself if you need it too.2011 MY D4 HSE
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13th Jan 2019 10:53 pm
Kitetraveller
Member Since: 31 Dec 2018
Location: Brittany
Posts: 90
Thank you.
I will search for the jump pack threads.
13th Jan 2019 11:33 pm
EMcC
Member Since: 10 Jul 2015
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 536
I have jump started a few cars with my D4 without problems !!
14th Jan 2019 12:17 am
leeds
Member Since: 30 Aug 2010
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 4312
If you go down the route of jump leads then 35mm2 copper leads with fully insulated 300 amp crocodile clips.
For a tow rope avoid those from the motoring shops. Better off buying a nylon recover strap from a reputable 4x4 supplier. Max length on road is 4.5m and learn how to connect it etc correctly.
Brendan
14th Jan 2019 12:21 am
D4mation
Member Since: 29 Jul 2011
Location: Ruralshire
Posts: 593
This jump pack was recommended by someone on this forum. I paid £85 last January so they've come down in price. Really good case which tucks nicely under the middle row seats, along with the other clobber.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01MT1...&psc=1MY12 D4 HSE Ipanema Sand
14th Jan 2019 2:27 am
IndusD4
Member Since: 01 Dec 2011
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 308
A jump pack is also useful to get yourself going when the car wash guys have drained the battery by having all doors open, radio going etc for a couple of hours.2016 D4 TDV6 Corris Grey
IIDTool BT
14th Jan 2019 5:13 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72775
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14th Jan 2019 5:46 am
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7438
Advice given on what’s served me well for several years was rubbished
So, why bother?! Post deleted.2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
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Last edited by Red Merle on 14th Jan 2019 10:06 pm. Edited 4 times in total
14th Jan 2019 6:21 am
Huggs153
Member Since: 15 Nov 2012
Location: Surrey
Posts: 190
I support what Brendan has posted and would suggest going for soft shackles. They are short lengths of high quality tow rope looped at one end and a huge knot at the other. They are more forgiving that steel conventional shackles and are nicer on the hands if it freezing. PS, consider joining your local 4x4 Response group... (Hamps & Berks 4x4 Members Sec)Huggs.
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14th Jan 2019 8:22 am
leeds
Member Since: 30 Aug 2010
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 4312
Please avoid the stuff sold by the likes of Amazon etc.
The one listed above is suitable for a vehicle up to 4 tonnes.
Please note that the figure of 4 tonnes has no relevance to the strength of the rope or of the hooks on the end.
Now a vehicle such as a disco weighing about 3 tonnes on a level hard surface will require a force of about 300 kg to get it moving.
Put that disco axle deep in mud and you could be talking about a force of 6 tonnes plus. Throw in a few more adverse factors and could be talking 9 tonnes plus.
I might consider using that sort of tow strap for towing a corsa etc 1/2 mile down the road to a garage and that would be the maximum I would trust it for.
Please get a realistic idea on forces involved in towing or recovering a vehicle. Just because a Discovery is a very capable towing machine, get some equipment to match its capabilities. Better safe then sorry.
A broken unrated shackle will make a hell of a mess of a Disco rear window, and a bigger mess of the drivers head.
Brendan
14th Jan 2019 9:14 am
leeds
Member Since: 30 Aug 2010
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 4312
Just had a quick look at the link to the bow shackles listed above.
Now those shackles are described as 4.75 Tons SWL and 14.25 Tons BS
Sounds impressive don’t they?
SWL stands for Safe Working Load and is an expression not used in the U.K. for over 10 years.
Current expression is WLL which is working load limit.
14.25 tons BS break strength gives a safety factor of 3 to 1.
Now shackles are normally rated as MBL minimum break with a safety factor of 6 to 1.
If buying this type of gear you are better off buying from a trader who knows what they are selling and can give good advice on how to use the gear.
Brendan
14th Jan 2019 9:30 am
JackNorris
Member Since: 06 Jul 2012
Location: Beds/Bucks Border
Posts: 1877
I would echo comments about jump starting other cars but by all means carry them to recover yourself.
I carry a 7ton 4m strop and 2x4.75 bow shackles.
I also carry a 5ton 7m strop for when that bit extra is required - but obviously not for anything big. The proper chaps can get the big ones.
There is lots to recovery and towing - numerous YouTube vids out there to show how quickly it can go wrong.
Sometimes it is better to be mean and move on or leave the car and offer a lift MY2023 Discovery 5 R-Dynamic 3.0
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14th Jan 2019 9:02 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
The quick question to any stranded car driver is, do you have a tow rope? answer no bye!
But in all seriousness,
Have you towed other cars before?
Have you been towed on a rope before?
14th Jan 2019 9:57 pm
leeds
Member Since: 30 Aug 2010
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 4312
My basic philosophy is very simple. Are people safe? If yes then my moral obligations to assist cease as I am not an unpaid recovery service.
Any recovery is done on my terms only and if I do not like anything as long as people are safe I move on.
If it is outside my comfort zone, outside my ability, outside my equipment capability I move on.
Remember a shovel is one of the most important tools and is often under rated.
Learn what your capabilities are, learn what forces are involved , learn about the properties of your kit are.
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