Towbars and the law

European Law now states that all light passenger vehicles registered on or after 1st August 1998 require a type approved towbar tested to EC94/20 and towball with suitable D & S value. This is not retrospective and does not affect any vehicle registered before this date. Other vehicles not subject to type approval are ~ commercial vehicles, car derived vans and motor caravans.

Quality

All towbars are now designed to fit precisely to mounting points specified by car manufacturers. Once the design of the towbar has been approved and tested to rigorous European standard EC94/20, it is then manufactured by an experienced production team using only certified British steel.

All type approved towbars carry a label to ensure product traceability and all the information necessary to conform fully to the European standard.
Some care should be taken when selecting a towbar to ensure the D & S values are great enough for the model of vehicle required.

British & European Standards

All towbars fitted to vehicles must comply with ISO 1102 and BS AU 113 which specifies the dimensions and location of the towball to ensure a safe and level towing height of between 350mm and 420mm (ground to centre of towball) EC94/20 the European Regulation.