Tow balls - not EC Type Approved?

LeadFarmer said:

Looks like Ive opened a big can of worms:doh:

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Please put the lid back on ya fecker.

ratty said:

Please put the lid back on ya fecker.

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I cant, ive thrown it away. And the bin men have just been:doh:

LeadFarmer said:

I cant, ive thrown it away. And the bin men have just been:doh:

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Well hold yer fecking hand over it for now.

I don't see it as a can of worms. The rules are in black and white, they're just a little more complex than you'd hope for.

Grimmer said:

No i didn't think they did, but thats just made everything more confusing

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redhand said:

Email from Dixon Bates to a member of LRUK asking if a NatoHitch would be compliant. Alkl is not as simple as it seems..

I forwarded your email to our technical team and
> below is the information that I was given. I hope
> this helps.
>
>
> Regards


As the vehicle is post 1998 it is subject to Type
> Approval 94/20 Regulations. This means that the
> towbracket must be designed for use with the
> intended couplings.
>
> Allthough our Towbracket wasn't tested with the
> Pintle we do have test evidence that shows the
> Pintle towing centre lies within our working test
> envelope, so therefore it could be fitted to this
> vehicle if it has a Dixon-Bate Towbracket. We can
> not advise that the Pintle can be fitted to any
> other manufactures towbrackets. Also if fitted the
> towing capacity would remain the same at 2.88 Tons
> and not the higher limit specified on the Pintle.

and the link to the thread in question. do you know

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Dixon Bate's email helps, but not 100%. It doesn't clarify the requirement - that a tow hitch must be "designed for use with the intended couplings". They say it was never tested, but that they have test evidence saying it could be fitted. They (and you) need to clarify with Dixon Bate if its "Designed" or merely they've made a non-commital recommendation (which could be interpreted in different ways in court, if the crunch came).

Grimmer said:

Mine is stamped Dixon Bate, seen this when i cleaned it up before painting. Don't know if it makes a difference but it's fitted using the appropriate holes in my 110 crossmember, using an 8mm spreader plate either side and 12.9 cap head bolts. I know it's not going anywhere, but i'm still confused about the legalities. Might call in the tow bar place next time i'm passing.

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As I understand things, the requirements for type approval include that the towball must be marked or labelled in such a way, as to indicate it meets the required type approval. If its not, then its not legal on a post-1998 car, end of.

I guess all I need to know is that my 1996 110 300tdi is exempt from requiring EC Type Approved towbars.

So the lid is firmly on my can of worms

paul_c said:

Does the Nato Hitch have the type approval marking or type approval sticker?

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Doesn't need one - soldiers have guns!

Davey1000 said:

Doesn't need one - soldiers have guns!

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