Land Rover to the rescue, using a blue Polyprop 'Dead' rope

Pulling someone out of a ditch is another use for a tow rope. When you, as a 'knight in shining armour' offer to help some poor unfortunate person, be certain what you are hooking your nice strong tow rope onto. I will never forget the day, many years ago one Winter, when I came around this bend in thickish snow and found a sports car gone off the road and into a small ditch. Naturally I pulled up, got my tow rope out to offer my help.

I asked the owner, 'what should I attach to', he replied 'that tube under the front'. So I did. As I pulled forward with the Range Rover, I pulled the tube clean off the car. It wasn't after all a solid part. Much embarrassment, a lesson learnt, look twice at what you are hooking on to.

Want a 'bump start', no problem, my 4 x 4 can pull anything! Well of course it can. But do check all the obvious first, ignition, fuel etc.

Again good communication is required. Make sure that the person you are towing knows what to do. Get a thumb up from the driver behind when he or she has the ignition on, in gear usually third, foot on the clutch and handbrake off. Make sure that the person knows when to let the clutch out (about 5-10 MPH) and that they must blow their horn as soon as their engine is running or want you to stop.

Here's another tip to remember. Your friend's Land Rover has just stalled when off road and it won't re- start. You back up, hook on, without thinking he selects first gear. Normally not a big problem, but he is still in low ratio! Ping-pong and the rope breaks as he lets the clutch out. Remember to go back into high ratio if you want a non-dramatic bump start.

Perhaps you are called upon to move a very heavy lorry a short distance. You will by now have got the message that a good strong nylon tow rope is essential for all towing with a 4 x 4 such as yours.

I recommend a 3 strand nylon tow rope, 4.5 Metres long, soft eye spliced loops each end and 24 mm in diameter. This size of nylon rope has a Minimum Breaking Load of 12 tonnes and therefore sufficiently strong enough to get even the largest load moving providing you have a rolling load.

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