14 replies to this topic

[GaryB]

I mentioned this a while ago, but after seeing a Toyota Prius with a Thule towbar I serached further, it looks like its now quite common to get a "non-towing towbar" for cars that aren't type approved for towing to carry a bike rack.

So, who's going to be first to see a Prius pulling a twin axle down the M6???

http://www.jyautopar...ors-c-2656.html

[RogerL]

I'd have thought that the regulations around Type-Approval would make that illegal.

[avtur1]

I know the dangers of making assumptions but if these are being made a reputable market leading company such as Thule I would have thought that the legalities would be taken care of.  

I wonder if there is a weak link or some load sensing system to prevent 'inadvertent' towing??

[Beejay]

RogerL, on 17 June 2012 - 12:19 PM, said:

I'd have thought that the regulations around Type-Approval would make that illegal.

Using it to tow would be illegal. Using it to carry bikes is no different to a roof bar cycle carrier....it must be safe within the meaning of C & U Regs.

[RogerL]

Beejay, on 17 June 2012 - 02:07 PM, said:

Using it to tow would be illegal. Using it to carry bikes is no different to a roof bar cycle carrier....it must be safe within the meaning of C & U Regs.

Type-Approval comes from EC Directives, not UK C&U regulations.

There is a difference between a roof bar cycle carrier and one of these - cars have a maximum specified roof load - these cars have NO approved mounting points and the car manufacturer will not have authorised any load at that point.

So I guess it comes down to "when is a towbar not a towbar" rather than what it's called.

[GaryB]

I notice the word "tow" isn't used anywhere in their description, but you just know they will be used for pulling a trailer by some folks.

[fishman]

I suppose it is the outcome of the guinness word record for new laws by tony and his cronies, Apparently they introduced 30"000 approx new laws whilst in power, Unfortunatly not many people including the police no anything much about them, I would think the chances of being prosecuted are VERY slim indeed.

[FishyDave]

It does say that it is 'tweaked to prevent towing' - presumably the ball is either oversized or mis-shaped to make sure that a conventional trailer coupling won't fit. It also says that it is compatible with most towball mounted cycle carriers, suggesting that there may be some that fall foul of whatever the safety modification is.

Edit: I think this answers the question - http://www.thule.com...Mount-Connector


Presumably the docking part is keyed as well to prevent you from simply swapping to a regular towball.

[GaryB]

A few minutes with a file & you'll soon be weaving around up the M6 with a Hobby behind a Ka!

[FishyDave]

GaryB, on 18 June 2012 - 12:54 PM, said:

A few minutes with a file & you'll soon be weaving around up the M6 with a Hobby behind a Ka!

If the diameter of the ball is correct, then you could easily modify that for towing. The thing is, as sold, it isn't a towbar and cannot be used as one, so that should cover the manufacturer, installers and owners from a legal point of view.

A Hobby behind a Ka? That'd be fun to watch. It takes me back to the days when you used to see all kinds of things hanging off the backs of Vauxhall Novas.

[Beejay]

RogerL, on 17 June 2012 - 03:01 PM, said:

Type-Approval comes from EC Directives, not UK C&U regulations.

There is a difference between a roof bar cycle carrier and one of these - cars have a maximum specified roof load - these cars have NO approved mounting points and the car manufacturer will not have authorised any load at that point.

So I guess it comes down to "when is a towbar not a towbar" rather than what it's called.

Not quite sure what your point is!

C & U covers unsafe vehicles and loads.

Cycles insecurely attached to a roof rack could be considered an unsafe load and C&U Regs.would apply.

[RogerL]

Beejay, on 19 June 2012 - 04:28 PM, said:

Not quite sure what your point is!

C & U covers unsafe vehicles and loads.

Cycles insecurely attached to a roof rack could be considered an unsafe load and C&U Regs.would apply.

My point was that the highlighted bike rack may comply with C&U Regulations but contravene Type-Approval legislation.

The extra rectangular piece at the top of the ball would prevent it being used as a towbar as supplied so it's not illegal to sell it or use it as a bike rack - but I feel sure that sooner or later someone will modify it to allow towing.

[stuartggray]

GaryB, on 18 June 2012 - 12:54 PM, said:

A few minutes with a file & you'll soon be weaving around up the M6 with a Hobby behind a Ka!

Looks like a recipe for disaster!

[toscal]

FishyDave, on 18 June 2012 - 12:21 PM, said:

It does say that it is 'tweaked to prevent towing' - presumably the ball is either oversized or mis-shaped to make sure that a conventional trailer coupling won't fit. It also says that it is compatible with most towball mounted cycle carriers, suggesting that there may be some that fall foul of whatever the safety modification is.

Edit: I think this answers the question - http://www.thule.com...Mount-Connector


Presumably the docking part is keyed as well to prevent you from simply swapping to a regular towball.

Normally these sort of things have a pin (sometimes called a weak link, or sacrificial pin) that is designed to break when you go over the maximum load. So this is probably what they mean designed to prevent towing. Unless it really is just down to the shape of the thing. Not a very good design if that is the case.

[JamesF]

RogerL, on 19 June 2012 - 04:50 PM, said:

My point was that the highlighted bike rack may comply with C&U Regulations but contravene Type-Approval legislation.

The extra rectangular piece at the top of the ball would prevent it being used as a towbar as supplied so it's not illegal to sell it or use it as a bike rack - but I feel sure that sooner or later someone will modify it to allow towing.

It looks like a standard Thule/Blink detactchable tow bar hitch to me  - you just need a "real" detachable towhitch and away you go !!!!

Oooh  Errrr !