Do you have a towing eye?

[CryptoWesty]

I have suddenly had a moment with my recently purchased escort mk2 and thought “oh shit how do I tow it if I break down” 😆

have you guys got towing eyes at all? Where’s the best place to have one etc? Thanks peeps! 

[katana]

As I've never needed a tow in an Escort I can't offer advice but if I did, I think i'd insist on a Y or V shaped tow rope with the legs around the x-member ends of the TCA's to ensure an equal pull across the axle. But for total safety I guess a Dolly would be best especially for any distance! And actually, for an RS2000 with its plastic front and included bib spoiler, I don't think a rope would do the job without some damage!

[CryptoWesty]

1 hour ago, katana said:

As I've never needed a tow in an Escort I can't offer advice but if I did, I think i'd insist on a Y or V shaped tow rope with the legs around the x-member ends of the TCA's to ensure an equal pull across the axle. But for total safety I guess a Dolly would be best especially for any distance! And actually, for an RS2000 with its plastic front and included bib spoiler, I don't think a rope would do the job without some damage!

I’m thinking of being recovered, not actually being towed on the road 

would the AA for instance have the ability to do what you originally said?

[katana]

1 hour ago, CryptoWesty said:

I’m thinking of being recovered, not actually being towed on the road 

would the AA for instance have the ability to do what you originally said?

They should! They have a duty of care not to damage a vehicle and will have been 'schooled' where to attach winch cables if being recovered or correct use of a dolly. As most modern cars have a point back and front for a towing eye to be fitted / or integral, the AA / RAC etc generally use a pole between vehicle if towing - obviously not an option on an old Ford. If you want to fit one though look to Motorsport cars as its generally a requirement to have an easily accessible eye robustly fitted back and front!

[Vista]

Incorporated into the centre anti roll bar bracket and has a screw in towing eye.

 

[BaileyMex]

Might be a load of old tosh, and I dont have a LSD but I think someone told me once to be careful towing the car  on it back wheels if I ever get an LSD fitted.

Not sure if there is any truth in that or a load on ####

[katana]

51 minutes ago, BaileyMex said:

Might be a load of old tosh, and I dont have a LSD but I think someone told me once to be careful towing the car  on it back wheels if I ever get an LSD fitted.

Not sure if there is any truth in that or a load on ####

I know that applies to Automatics so have to be towed with un-powered wheels on the ground but I can see how an LSD could get a bit warm possibly?

57 minutes ago, Vista said:

Incorporated into the centre anti roll bar bracket and has a screw in towing eye.

Fabulous - if your car has a centre ARB bracket which most don't! 

[CryptoWesty]

1 hour ago, Vista said:

Incorporated into the centre anti roll bar bracket and has a screw in towing eye.

 

Nice one! Did you make this? 

[colr6]

To fit the centre mount you’d have to fit the anti dive kit. You could upgrade the bumper bar mounts and fit eye to those. That’s all I did to the Anglia, but don’t have the bumpers to cover them up. It’s a necessity for track days.

[Xp197777]

I’ve got one similar which I made same fixing 

[Vista]

1 hour ago, CryptoWesty said:

Nice one! Did you make this? 

Detailed in this page 

Project Van

[CryptoWesty]

12 hours ago, Xp197777 said:

I’ve got one similar which I made same fixing 

Got pics of it on?

[Xp197777]

1 hour ago, CryptoWesty said:

Got pics of it on?

Not at the mo as cars in storage sorry

[DT36]

This thread has got me thinking and looked at the front of mine this morning.  As it stands, I would need to be towed with an apex and insert a wooden roller across the chassis to prevent any spoiler damage.  Used to do something very similar when front end suspending Landrovers with a Foden, so not to rip the bumper off during extended cross country recovery.

Just had a quick look on Motorsport Tools and there are a few bits on there to help make something up:

https://www.motorsport-tools.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=towing

 

 

[Jay_harrier]

I've got a metal plate that bolts through the bumper iron bolts but on the engine bay side, it looks like a DIY job from the previous owner.  I can get a photo if you want as its off the car at the moment.

[deltamal]

I fitted one when I was dragging my Mk3 Tina it made it easy to winch it on to my Beavertail, it's detachable so it cant be seen - bolts on to the front subframe with a strengthining plate wit 2 M10 bolts..

[CryptoWesty]

On 03/12/2021 at 16:18, Jay_harrier said:

I've got a metal plate that bolts through the bumper iron bolts but on the engine bay side, it looks like a DIY job from the previous owner.  I can get a photo if you want as its off the car at the moment.

Yes please pic would be great 👍🏻 

[Jay_harrier]

1 hour ago, CryptoWesty said:

Yes please pic would be great 👍🏻 

Here's a couple on/off the car although looking more closely when its on I suspect a towing strap would rub the front panel depending on the angle - it might need a rework! it's approx 4mm thick.

 

Edited December 9, 2021 by Jay_harrier

[CryptoWesty]

Just to update what the outcome was I have gone for a strap now so I can conceal it with a cable tie behind the face of the car until the day (touch wood it doesn’t) comes of breaking down 

[Jay_harrier]

On 13/12/2021 at 20:27, CryptoWesty said:

Just to update what the outcome was I have gone for a strap now so I can conceal it with a cable tie behind the face of the car until the day (touch wood it doesn’t) comes of breaking down 

That should work, I might look at that instead of the lump of plate on mine

 

[Brenda1978]

Strap on ?