If you’re considering towing a folding camper caravan or trailer tent or other trailer, you have to be aware of towbars as well as the electrics that go with them. To simplify the process, the word “caravan” is utilized throughout but it applies to all trailers except where stated otherwise.
Before 1998, there were no rules to ensure the safe design and installation of towbars. Anyone was able to make just a few angles of iron to installing towbars. On the 1st of August 1998 (20 April 1999 in Northern Ireland) safety regulations were introduced that stated that all new vehicles registered after onwards must be fitted with type-approved towbars manufactured in accordance to European directive EC94/20.
The directive requires a small sample from each kind of towbar to go through the two million cycle test of fatigue that typically lasts for 60 hours. The towbar is then examined by the certification agency for vehicles in the country where it was manufactured. If the inspection is successful, the towbar is then issued with a an unique type approval number . It can be sold as a certified device.
On the 29th of October, 2012, on the 29th of October 2012, the Directive has been extended, allowing light commercial vehicles that do not exceed 3500kg in Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) along with all motorhomes built in cabs of commercial vehicles, regardless their GVW. The Directive 94/20 Directive also stipulates that the towbar should be attached to the vehicle with mounting points supplied from the manufacture. Another condition is the fact that the towball be mounted in a certain location relative to the mounting points, not at the distance from the ground. It is the responsibility of the manufacturer of the vehicle to make sure the position of the towball is consistent with regulations. The regulations specify towballs and the height of the hitch for a fully loaded vehicle (GVW) and these are included by the Data Sheets glossary.
The 94/20 Directive was changed with ECE (United United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) Regulation 55. It meets all the requirements of EC94/20 but adds additional conditions which include an examination of the second coupling. This is the point of attachment for breakaway cables on trailers that are braked. Towbars that conform to the EC 94/20 standard are still approved and can be sold for fitting, use and sale.
EC Approval does not just only apply to the trailer towbar, but is also applicable to electrics used for towing. They must be in conformity with EC Directive 2009/19 (electromagnetic compatibility). Note that this refers to interference from radio waves, not the functional compatibility with any particular caravan.
Identifying the capacity of the towing
Modern vehicles are equipped with the vehicle Identification Number (VIN) also known as the chassis plate. It can be located underneath the bonnet or lower down on the door pillar. The figure on the top is an estimate of the maximum authorized mass (MAM) that the automobile is, which is in that sense, the weight it is legally able to can be loaded with. This figure can be called”the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
The following number will be the Gross Train weight (GTW). It is the maximum allowed weight for the combined weight of the trailer and the vehicle. Another way of looking at it is that it is the total of the real axle loads for each axle. They must not exceed them. The two figures in the last two are the maximum permissible loads of both rear and front axles.
The difference between GTW as well as that of the MAM is the towing capacity of the vehicle’s total weight. In this case, that we have, the capacity to tow of the Subaru is 3,754kg + 1,945kg . This is 1,800 kg.
In accordance with European rules, a vehicle’s towing limit is the weight allowed by the following:
“The motor vehicle towing the trailer should be able to start the combination of vehicle loaded to its maximum mass – five times over an uphill slope of minimum 12 percent within five minutes.”
Thus, since certain roads of the A class in the UK as well as many other roads across mainland Europe have gradients higher than 12 percent (approximately 1/8) it is recommended not to tow beyond the towing limit set by the manufacturer.
If you are considering whether or not you will be able to tow , the Club be sure to ensure you adhere to the 85 percent recommended that The Maximum Technically Permissible Load Mass (MTPLM) that the trailer shouldn’t exceed 85 percent of the weight of the kerb of the towing vehicle. This number can be raised to 100 per percentage for those who have experience pulling, but it should not be exceeded by more than 85 per cent. The kerbweight figure doesn’t appear on the VIN plate, but it should be listed in the manual of the car. It could or might not be identical to the ‘Mass in Service number that is currently displayed on DVLA Form V5. This is contingent what weight the driver (75kg) is being included. See the glossary.
Legally the MAM of your car, together with the MTPLM of your caravan must not exceed the GTW of the car.
Does the vehicle have the ability to tow?
It is crucial to understand that certain vehicles aren’t specifically designed to tow and towing one of them would be illegal. The Club’s experience has shown that this includes sports models that may be lower or sporting body kits, eco models, and recently electric and hybrid models. Certain models require the towbar prepared and installed. The Club believes that it is unlikely that the towbar can be done when the vehicle is removed from the factory, either in stock new vehicles or pre-owned, therefore the vehicles won’t be legally able to tow. A vehicle with no towing restriction may appear similar to a model that is that can tow, just one difference that it is marked in the VIN number.
Some examples of these vehicles are those of Ford Ka, Jaguar F type, a few Audi TT, Audi S3 and a few Skoda. In these cars, The Maximum Train Weight is zeros or dashes. Therefore, before purchasing, look over for the VIN number of the vehicle you plan to purchase to determine its towing capacity as well as other checks that the Club recommends for safe and reliable towing in our Matching Car or caravan’s Data Sheet. This may involve sending a letter to the head office of the business to verify the validity of the information.
Certain vehicles might have the same figure in the GTW and MAM. In this situation, when the load of the vehicle is limited to less than the maximum allowed amount (MAM) it might be possible to pull that difference in weight between the actual and MAM/GTW. Most of the time, this would only allow towing trailers that are light. In order to be able to use this feature, the person using the trailer must be aware of how much their trailer and vehicle weighs. This can be done by visiting the public weighbridge.
Another important aspect to keep in mind is the limit of the noseweight of the vehicle towing. This is the highest static force that can be applied any towbar that is fitted.
The noseweight is crucial for stable towing . The most commonly accepted number is that the nominal noseweight of the trailer (or caravan) should be within the range of 5 to 7 percent from its MTPLM. If a caravan has an MTPLM of 1,500kg, this is 75-105kg.
The towbar specialist is a dealer, not a fit.
Although it is completely feasible and legal to install an towbar on your own but it shouldn’t be done in a hurry. Other than ensuring that the proper bolts fit in the right holes at the right torque, there’s the whole issue of electrics for a towbar to think about and also the need to take off your rear bumper the crash beam and boot floor, as well as rear lights, etc.
We would suggest that you do the work professionally. If your car is brand new it is possible to get the factory-fitted towbar installed, or request the dealer who supplied you with the towbar on your behalf. So, there’s less chance to have any warranty issues should the towbar malfunctions later. Another thing to keep in mind is that certain cars may require some factory preparation, and might require cooling equipment in addition in the event that they are employed for towing. The main dealer is the most knowledgeable about the details.
In spite of this, there are many top towbar fitting firms that will even come to your location to perform the work. The main dealers can assign towbar fitting to companies like these. To assist you in choosing one, you can use the National Trailer & Towing Association (NTTA) maintains an inventory of QSA Accredited (QSA) towbar fitting firms.
The types of towbars
Towbars are available in two primary kinds – ones that have a fixed towball as well as those that have a detachable option. They can be equipped with either flange or swan neck towballs. If you’re worried about the appearance of your rear car , then you should look into a towbar that has an detachable towball. It might be possible to choose the towball can be removed from view when not being used.
Fixed towballs are bolted onto the towbar. The UK the most well-known is the flange model that mounts with two (or often 4) bolts. They are useful in the event that you want to attach things like bicycle racks bumper shield, Blade stabiliser bracket.
Detachable towballs most often have a swan neck type however, you can also find detachable mounting flanges that can be used with towballs with flanges. Detachable towballs have an unlockable quick release mechanism which allows the towball be detached and attached without tools. The mount is usually vertical, that is, push up to lock, however in cases where space is limited the horizontal option could be employed. Vertical locking systems leave nothing visible after the towball is removed.
Retractable towbars are an extremely popular choice for factory fitting, they allow the towballs for it to be concealed when not in use , much like detachable, but have the benefit of being permanently in the vehicle.
They are towbars that have a permanent fit systems that be extended and retracted behind the bumper on the rear. They can be locked manually and unlocked, electrically controlled or a combination both and are currently available from aftermarket suppliers like Witter. Retractables are also likely to come with a readily accessible electrical plug 13 pin like the one below.
The disadvantages are more costly and complex compared to the standard selection, however should you be searching for a straightforward towbar that does not harm the lines of the vehicle when it’s the towbar isn’t in operation, a retractable might be the best option for you.