| Q |
"I
rarely tow anything. Do I need a Type Approved
towbar ?" |
| A |
YES. If your vehicle should have a type approved towber
by law then even if you are not using the
towbar for towing purposes it must still
conform to 94/20 EC regulations to remain
legal. |
| Q |
"Does the EC directive apply to all types of towbar ?" |
| A |
YES, if the vehicle was registered on or after August
1st 1998 the towbar must be type approved
unless the towbar is to be fitted to the
following :
Van or any other similiar goods vehicles
Chassis cabs and tippers
Pick-up trucks (inc double cabs which have
4 doors, 4/5 seats)
Motorhomes or motor caravan conversions
Any vehicle classed as a motorcycle
Vehicles not for use on public roads
In some cases personally imported vehicles
can be exempt from EC94/20 depending on
where in the world they were imported from.
For more information regarding these types
of vehicle's in the UK, check with DVLA,
Swansea. |
| Q |
"May
I fit the towbar, or must I use an authorised
installer ?" |
| A |
Anyone can fit the towbar, as long as it is installed correctly,but
it would be advisable to use a specialist
installer. |
| Q |
"Does
towing invalidate the warranty on my vehicle
?" |
| A |
In
your vehicle handbook, you will find the
towing limits specified by the manufacturer.
If you have a correctly installed Type Approved
towbar, and you remain within the specified
limits, you will not invalidate the warranty. |
| Q |
"I
must fit a towbar recommended by the manufacturer,
or invalidate warranty. Is this true ?" |
| A |
NO. One of the purposes of the directive
was to create free trade, and any attempt
to impose otherwise would be regarded as
restrictive practice and therefore illegal.
If you fit a Type Approved towbar it will
not invalidate vehicle warranty. |
| Q |
"I
have a Ford Ka, but can’t find a tow bar
listed. Can I have one made ?" |
| A |
NO. When your vehicle was type approved,
the manufacturer did not declare it as being
suitable for towing; it therefore has no
specified towing capacity, and no specified
mounting points. |
| Q |
"How
can I tell if a towbar is Type Approved
?" |
| A |
It will have a data plate, label or stamping
showing an ‘E’ number, e.g. E1100-0914.
In this case it has been type approved in
the UK (E11), and the approval number is
0914, which relates to the Land Rover Freelander
1997 onwards. |
| Q |
"I
bought a used car, registered March 1,
1999. The towbar fitted is not Type Approved.
What should I do ?" |
| A |
Contact the dealer immediately, and ask for the
towbar to be removed and replaced with one
that is Type Approved. If you don’t get
a satisfactory response, you should advise
your local Trading Standards Office. |
| Q |
"I
have an European registered vehicle with
a non Type Approved towbar fitted after
01/08/1998, is this legal ?" |
| A |
MAYBE. EC regulations are often introduced
on different dates in different countries,
but it is the country in which the vehicle
is first registered that defines when the
regulations become effective, and this date
will then apply throughout the EU. |
| Q |
"Where
can I go to find all about towing and
trailer law ?" |
| A |
The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders
(SMMT) produce an easy to follow guide called
Towing and the Law. This can be readily
obtained from their offices at, Forbes House,
Halkin Street, London SW1X 7DS. Tel. 0171-235-7000.
|
| Q |
"Are
there any regulations governing the use
of a towbar ?" |
| A |
YES. There is an EC directive (94/20/EC), which applies
to passenger vehicles, i.e. it does not
apply to commercial vehicles, registered
on, or after, August 1, 1998. |
| Q |
"Why
has European Type Approval been introduced
for towbars ?" |
| A |
It is part of a European Whole Vehicle Type Approval
to provide a common standard across the
EU. Irrespective of where a Type Approved
towbar has been made, it will have been
manufactured to known specifications and
quality standards. |
