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Non-type approved tow bar.
TimC - 9/2/12 at 01:25 PM

The situation is, I've bought a US-made vehicle and want to fit a 're-moveable' tow bar. The problem is that the only one that I can find is in the U.S. and is therefore not EU type-approved. What's the worst that could happen? Obviously, I'd not dream of exceeding recommended loads etc.

TC

owelly - 9/2/12 at 01:32 PM

Check the US one has a 50mm ball and not 2". Imho, if the towbar looks strong enough, it will be ok.
What vehicle is it?

mookaloid - 9/2/12 at 01:34 PM

I think you have to be prepared if something goes wrong to accept that you might have reduced or no insurance cover.

I think you are unlikely to be prosecuted though.

IMHO of course and I may be wrong

TimC - 9/2/12 at 01:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by owelly
Check the US one has a 50mm ball and not 2". Imho, if the towbar looks strong enough, it will be ok.
What vehicle is it?


Yeah - I'd need to buy the ball seperately. Its a Honda Civic Coupe.

Bluemoon - 9/2/12 at 01:51 PM

I suspect it will depending on when it was IVA'd/SVA'd on import. As tow hitches have been type approved after some date (forget what) but if the vehicle pre-dates hitch type approval will not be needed.

Probably the safest thing to do is write to VOSA and ask what the deal is if you want to avoid complications with insurance companies. I have found VOSA very good on the phone (unlike the DVLA) you can talk to an expert that knows the rules and how they are applied.

TimC - 9/2/12 at 01:59 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Bluemoon
I suspect it will depending on when it was IVA'd/SVA'd on import. As tow hitches have been type approved after some date (forget what) but if the vehicle pre-dates hitch type approval will not be needed.

Probably the safest thing to do is write to VOSA and ask what the deal is if you want to avoid complications with insurance companies. I have found VOSA very good on the phone (unlike the DVLA) you can talk to an expert that knows the rules and how they are applied.


It was made in the US and that's where it was popular but its a UK car, not a grey import. The type approval rules seem to count from 1998 and the car is a 2001 so it looks like I'm a bit screwed.

owelly - 9/2/12 at 01:59 PM

I'm pretty sure that if the vehicle hasn't got EU type approval, the towbar doesn't need it either. The bar I fitted to my Connect had type approval for about three months. Then the sticker fell off!

Bluemoon - 9/2/12 at 02:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by TimC
quote:
Originally posted by Bluemoon
I suspect it will depending on when it was IVA'd/SVA'd on import. As tow hitches have been type approved after some date (forget what) but if the vehicle pre-dates hitch type approval will not be needed.

Probably the safest thing to do is write to VOSA and ask what the deal is if you want to avoid complications with insurance companies. I have found VOSA very good on the phone (unlike the DVLA) you can talk to an expert that knows the rules and how they are applied.


It was made in the US and that's where it was popular but its a UK car, not a grey import. The type approval rules seem to count from 1998 and the car is a 2001 so it looks like I'm a bit screwed.


Not sure, as to the dates, my MK indy that was SVA'd was in this strange region of time as you can use a non-typed approved bar I think as there was no single vehicle approval for tow bars at that time. I think tow bars are now included in the IVA and you need the paper work from the manufacture to show it meets the required standard.
It may be you just needed the paper work to show it was fit for purpose, so if the tow bar was sold in the US you might be o.k. Like said call VOSA (or better still write so you have a hard copy for the insurance companies should the worst happen) they should be able to clear it up for you.

designer - 9/2/12 at 02:51 PM

It is illegal to drill holes in the body, or chassis members, to fit tow bars.

daviep - 9/2/12 at 03:43 PM

Pretty sure this wasn't asked in the question and that the statement needs clarificationt to be accurate.

Davie

designer - 9/2/12 at 03:54 PM

quote:

It is illegal to drill holes in the body, or chassis members, to fit tow bars.


The point is that if fitting a non-standard tow bar holes will have to be drilled, or welding done; and you can't.

ashg - 9/2/12 at 03:58 PM

when i went for my last iva there was an american truck there that failed iva because its tow bar didnt have type approval. the guy removed it in the carpark and put in for a retest 10 mins later with it sitting in the bed of the truck

owelly - 9/2/12 at 04:02 PM

Its not illegal to drill holes to fit a towbar. I've fitted several EU Type approved towbars in the past 18 months and at least three needed holes drilling. Probably more than three!

TimC - 9/2/12 at 04:13 PM

quote:
Originally posted by daviep
Pretty sure this wasn't asked in the question and that the statement needs clarificationt to be accurate.

Davie


In any case that wouldn't be an issue - its a bolt-on job I've been looking at. The manufacturer quotes 30mins to fit the hardware!

TC

cliftyhanger - 9/2/12 at 04:55 PM

"it came with it" is the answer methinks.....

I suspect type approval just means it fits to the existing fixings (and yes, they often need the attention of a drill or 1" holesaw) but then again I tend not to worry too much about these things, life is too short

jacko - 9/2/12 at 05:54 PM

http://www.towsure.com/search/Honda+civic+coupe

Is this the bar you want ?

Peteff - 9/2/12 at 06:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by designer
It is illegal to drill holes in the body, or chassis members, to fit tow bars.


You have to drill the rear valance to fit a lot of towbars, they supply a spreader plate to put inside the car. We recently fitted a Polo bar and it needed a hole in the valance and one in the spare wheel well and a template is supplied for the job.

TimC - 10/2/12 at 08:44 AM

quote:
Originally posted by jacko
http://www.towsure.com/search/Honda+civic+coupe

Is this the bar you want ?


That link doesn't seem to list one. Its the 2001-06 Coupe I've bought, one of these:

hughpinder - 10/2/12 at 09:43 AM

Is this not what you want?

http://www.detachabletowbars.com/civic-coupe-2003-2006-detachable-tow-bar.html

Witter bar for 2003-2006 civic coupe

Regards
Hugh

TimC - 10/2/12 at 09:55 AM

quote:
Originally posted by hughpinder
Is this not what you want?

http://www.detachabletowbars.com/civic-coupe-2003-2006-detachable-tow-bar.html

Witter bar for 2003-2006 civic coupe

Regards
Hugh


Well done Hugh! Not quite as subtle as the US version but no doubt the sensible choice.

Cheers.

hughpinder - 10/2/12 at 10:02 AM

No problem - I had a non detachable on my coupe and was always bashing my shins on it when getting stuff in and out of the boot!

Regards
Hugh