Illegal towbar?

marlot

tfspark wrote: »

Not sure wether this should be in this section or the consumer rights section.

This is a long story but I'll ask the basic question first and gauge the response.

I took delivery of my new company car in May 2014. The next day I had a tow bar fitted by a local trailer and tow bar company. The day after that I took my caravan away on holiday.

As the height of the tow ball is quite low it has always been a struggle to hitch the caravan but once on the 'van tows as expected.

A couple of weeks ago someone pointed out that my tow ball was very low and was probably illegal.
After a bit of research it seems there is a european directive that regulates the height of a tow ball and mine is below the minimum requirement.

Unsure if this is a legal requirement I popped into my local constabulary to be told that I could be causing a traffic offence and if prosecuted would get at least three points and a fine up to a maximum of £2000 depending on the circumstances.

Has the fitting company fitted an illegal tow bar and does that make it unfit for purpose?

Do I have any redress from that company even though it is now fourteen months later?

I would just like them to rectify the situation at no cost to me.

I look forward to anyones comments.

The time to have objected was when it was fitted, but yes it is clearly not suitable.

marlot

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:

That would be dangerous. it would multiply the forces at the flange.

Rover_Driver

benten69 wrote: »

The car was a medium sized 4x4 weighing no more than 1800-2000kg and the trailer was small with minimal items in it, no way in a million years would the combined weight have been over 3500kg!

It's the MAM of the towing vehicle and trailer that must not be over 3500kg to tow with a 'B' licence, not the actual weight. (ignore the .gov 'advice').

ChumLee

Minrich wrote: »

Great example of how ALL the Police know little about the law! and they are not Lawyers - Do lawyers know all the law ? From you minimal experience what other actual experience do you have of any Police officers and what you saw on the telly ? I guess you are about 19 and got caught speeding recently .

Like vehicle examiners not knowing what a crime is eh?

benten69

Minrich wrote: »

I guess you are about 19 and got caught speeding recently .

Shows how little you actually know about me and my experience with the police. I am considerably older than 19 with a clean licence thank you very much. However I have had prior experience, went to court and won. The sheriff with the LAW DEGREE agreed with me and not the police!

Also, at least lawyers have studied the law intensively at university unlike some power mad copper who thinks he is above the law.

I guess you are either a police officer, or a friend/relative of one as you seem to take these comments to heart about police not knowing the laws.

ChumLee

benten69 wrote: »

Shows how little you actually know about me and my experience with the police. I am considerably older than 19 with a clean licence thank you very much. However I have had prior experience, went to court and won. The sheriff with the LAW DEGREE agreed with me and not the police!

Also, at least lawyers have studied the law intensively at university unlike some power mad copper who thinks he is above the law.

So you beat the Scottish legal system in toy town sheriffs court.

Minrich

benten69 wrote: »

Shows how little you actually know about me and my experience with the police. I am considerably older than 19 with a clean licence thank you very much. However I have had prior experience, went to court and won. The sheriff with the LAW DEGREE agreed with me and not the police!

Also, at least lawyers have studied the law intensively at university unlike some power mad copper who thinks he is above the law.

I guess you are either a police officer, or a friend/relative of one as you seem to take these comments to heart about police not knowing the laws.

So you have ONE actual experience and saw something on the telly .... Well that makes you the oracle , bit luck ChumpLee

ChumLee

Minrich wrote: »

So you have ONE actual experience and saw something on the telly .... Well that makes you the oracle , bit luck ChumpLee

One more than you have.

Minrich

ChumLee wrote: »

One more than you have.

You really are boring but i have more experience than you for definite

ChumLee

Minrich wrote: »

You really are boring but i have more experience than you for definite

Well either put up or shut up. So far the only thing you've show is you don't know what a crime is. PCSO's don't deal with crime are we close?