Towing Pole Test

Forget ropes – a tow bar is the answer if you need to get a broken down car to a garage safely. We go on the pull with 10 top buys.

Auto Express Car Reviews

June 2008

It is not often you will buy a bit of kit that pays for itself the first time you use it, but that is the case with a tow pole. If you’ve skimped on roadside rescue cover, and have to get a broken car to a garage yourself, towing it is likely to be the cheapest way. You could use a rope, but bars are easier and safer as they help keep the cars apart. So which is the one for your boot?

The Test

A BAR must cope with vertical and horizontal towing eyes, plus a combination of both. We tried our poles with all types. Length was important, too. We also took into account capacity and extras such as a damping spring, storage pouch/bag, On Tow sign (a legal requirement on the towed car) and a warning flag to make the bar more visible.

Verdict

The Draper 88621 deservedly takes our Best Buy award. It impresses in terms of performance, and it’s one of the best specified for extras, too. However, it’s also one of the cheapest. Screwfix’s 30875 is similar, but costs an extra £8.50 – although it’s still a bargain compared to many competitors. Finally, Clarke’s TB2 is a decent
no-frills rigid bar, at a cracking budget price.

Contacts
Halfords, 0845 7626625, www.halfords.com
Clarke, 01992 565300, www.clarkeinternatinal.com
Car parts direct, 01332 290833, www.carparts-direct.co.uk
Screwfix, 0500 414141, www.screwfix.com
Sealey, 01284 757500, www.sealey.co.uk
Draper, 023 8049 4333, www.draper.co.uk