Illegal towbar?

tfspark

The height of a tow ball is governed by EC Directive 94/20/EC, which dates back to 1994. This states that the tow ball should be between 350 and 420mm high. Mine is 330mm.

I know that it is only 20mm too low but my first question was, does a european directive make it a legal requirement? I believe it does.
If not then it is just low and I won't pursue it any farther.

I did say in my OP that it was a long story, so I'll try and keep as concise as possible.

I did take it back to the fitting company. They weren't particularly interested and suggest I took it up with the manufacturer.
I spoke to the manufacturer and sent them photos who said they thought it was wrong. They suggested I basically have it loosened, lifted and retightened to see if it made a difference.

The fitting company agreed to try that but I ended up being told by them that my tow bar was now useless as the threads had stripped in the captive nuts.
The choice I had then was to have an unsafe tow bar fitted (which they didn't want to do) or pay for a different make of tow bar which would solve the height problem.
I agreed to pay for a replacement bar because I felt I was in an impossible situation. I felt they broke it so they should replace it.

I have now asked them for a refund as I believe they fitted an illegal tow bar in the first place. We seem to be batting this back and forth by email but they haven't replied to my last one.

I just wondered if people thought if I would get anywhere with this, hence the original questions or am I wasting my time.

tfspark

Sorry all, I was typing my reply as you all posted. The car is a Skoda Superb Greenline estate.

ChumLee

As your car was built after 1998, the tow bar needs to be type approved. It should have a EC number on it. If so you're ok.

tfspark

ChumLee wrote: »

As your car was built after 1998, the tow bar needs to be type approved. It should have a EC number on it. If so you're ok.

It does indeed have a type approved sticker on it, but doesn't make it ok as according to the directive it is too low.

Even the manufacturer said it was too low hence their first suggestion.

ChumLee

tfspark wrote: »

The height of a tow ball is governed by EC Directive 94/20/EC, which dates back to 1994. This states that the tow ball should be between 350 and 420mm high. Mine is 330mm.

I know that it is only 20mm too low but my first question was, does a european directive make it a legal requirement? I believe it does.
If not then it is just low and I won't pursue it any farther.

I did say in my OP that it was a long story, so I'll try and keep as concise as possible.

I did take it back to the fitting company. They weren't particularly interested and suggest I took it up with the manufacturer.
I spoke to the manufacturer and sent them photos who said they thought it was wrong. They suggested I basically have it loosened, lifted and retightened to see if it made a difference.

The fitting company agreed to try that but I ended up being told by them that my tow bar was now useless as the threads had stripped in the captive nuts.
The choice I had then was to have an unsafe tow bar fitted (which they didn't want to do) or pay for a different make of tow bar which would solve the height problem.
I agreed to pay for a replacement bar because I felt I was in an impossible situation. I felt they broke it so they should replace it.

I have now asked them for a refund as I believe they fitted an illegal tow bar in the first place. We seem to be batting this back and forth by email but they haven't replied to my last one.

I just wondered if people thought if I would get anywhere with this, hence the original questions or am I wasting my time.

Where are you taking the measurement from, the middle of the ball?

enfield_freddy

EC , CE or C E (china import) ,, ?????

tfspark

The measurement was take with the car on a level surface from the ground to the middle of the tow ball. The car should be in a laden state but even with my car empty (and the spare wheel removed!) it was only ever 330mm.

It is a genuine tow bar.

societys_child

If it really is too low, would this solve it? A raiser plate (or a dropper plate fitted upside down . . . )
(if there's room)

Something like this:

enfield_freddy

read "can I raise the height" http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/towbars/faq8.php

tfspark

societys_child wrote: »

If it really is too low, would this solve it? A raiser plate (or a dropper plate fitted upside down . . . )
(if there's room)

Something like this:

Nope, can't use those, they are definitely illegal.