
The distance between two vehicles when using a flexible towing device should be maintained between 4 meters and 10 meters. Article 61 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" stipulates that when using a flexible towing device, the distance between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle should be greater than 4 meters and less than 10 meters. Extended content: 1. Preparation: When towing, attach both ends of the towing rope to the towing hook of the towing vehicle and the tow hook of the towed vehicle. 2. Starting: When using a flexible towing link, first determine the communication signals and precautions between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle. 3. Driving: When driving with a flexible towing link, the front vehicle should maintain a constant speed. 4. Turning: When encountering a curve, the front vehicle should slow down in advance and use gestures and horn signals to alert the rear vehicle. It should try to drive on the outer side of the curve. 5. Driving on slopes: When going uphill, the front vehicle should position itself slightly offset from the rear vehicle to prevent collision if the front vehicle rolls back. When going downhill, the front vehicle should stay on the right side of the road and increase speed appropriately to prevent the towing rope from becoming too loose and difficult to control. 6. Braking and stopping: During flexible towing, unless under special circumstances, the front vehicle should avoid using the brakes and must not brake suddenly. Choose a wide and flat area for stopping. The front vehicle should first use gestures to alert the rear vehicle, then slow down and move to the side. When the rear vehicle is expected to enter the roadside, apply the brakes smoothly to stop.

When performing towing operations myself, I pay special attention to the distance between the two vehicles, as maintaining a distance of 4 to 6 meters is the safest in soft-connection towing. If the distance is too close, say only 3 meters, and the front vehicle brakes suddenly, the rear vehicle simply won't have enough time to react, inevitably leading to a rear-end collision with serious consequences. On the other hand, if the distance exceeds 6 meters, the rear vehicle tends to sway uncontrollably during high-speed driving or turns. I recommend keeping a distance of 4 meters in the city, but on highways or during rain or snow, it should be at least 5 meters or more. The towing rope itself must have reflective strips to ensure safety at night, and it's essential to check for any wear or aging of the rope and hooks. Maintaining a safe distance is a fundamental skill—never cut corners, as negligence could lead to major accidents. For a simple measurement, leave a distance of one and a half car lengths from the rear vehicle's front to the front vehicle's rear.

I've learned from towing friends' cars multiple times that maintaining a distance of 4 to 5 meters is most comfortable. I use a standard soft rope length, slightly shorter than 4 meters or slightly longer than 5 meters. If it's too short, like within 3 meters, the driver of the towed car gets exhausted in city stop-and-go traffic, and sudden braking can cause swaying. If it's too long, over 6 meters, the car wobbles left and right like a kite on the highway. I remember last year when towing on the highway, a distance of 5.5 meters felt stable; in rainy conditions, reducing it to 4 meters helps minimize the risk of skidding. A little tip: communicate well before starting, accelerate slowly, and don't rush. Avoid using overly loose ropes, and check monthly for cracks or rust. Safety first—when measuring the distance, a rough estimate with your arms works too: about one arm's length plus a little extra space in front and behind should be just right.

From my understanding of traffic regulations, the distance for soft connection between two vehicles is typically required to be between 4 to 6 meters. The rules are strict standards—for example, urban areas mandate over 4 meters to prevent rear-end collisions, while highways limit it to 5.5 meters to avoid vehicle sway. I've seen police officers inspecting vehicles on the road, issuing on-the-spot fines or even deducting points for non-compliance. Safe driving requires adherence to regulations; the rope length must be from certified products with reflective strips. Adjust based on speed: 4 meters is safe below 40km/h, while longer distances are needed on highways. Regularly maintain towing equipment to ensure secure connection points. Remember, small details impact overall safety—don’t cut corners.


