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Topic: tow bar identification plate

rowena42

22/2/2011 at 10:45pm
Location: north east lincolnshire
Outfit: Lunar Clubman SE and Kia Sorento XS

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Does anyone know if it is a legal requirement for a towbar to have an identity plate?

tango55

22/2/2011 at 11:07pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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Yes for insurance purposes. If it has an identity plate then it has been manufactured to the EU legal requirements. If involved in an accident and a claim was made the assessors would look for this ID plate and if there wasn't one on the towbar it would be deemed as not authentic which could mean that the vehicle insurance could well be possibly be void.

rowena42

22/2/2011 at 11:25pm
Location: north east lincolnshire
Outfit: Lunar Clubman SE and Kia Sorento XS

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Thanks for that tango55. I've just had a towbar fitted which is turning out to be a catalogue of disasters- firstly, the wrong towbar was fitted ( I wanted Witter, was told it was Witter, have been billed for Witter but was fitted with a PCT brand). The fitter has cut the ID plate off because it interfered with the electic socket fitting- claimed to have bolted the plate back onto the tow bar but no evidence of that! We asked for dedicated electrics and didn't get that either. The fitter is happy to re-do the job with whatever we want but that's what we paid for in the first place. I could live with the PCT towbar because I'm fed up now of the incompetence, but if it affects insurance or is simply not legal then it will have to be changed:(

tango55

22/2/2011 at 11:42pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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If it's a Witter towbar then it is one of the leading brands on the market. The towbar however should have the ID plate with 'WITTER' clearly stated on it which definitely conforms to EU regulations. If you have agreed and paid for a Witter towbar and the ID plate has been removed or states otherwise then I would certainly ask a few questions because any qualified fitter should competently know how to fit them with accompanying electrics without any interference with the towbar. Is it a reputable company that fitted the towbar or a local DIY job?

rowena42

23/2/2011 at 6:51pm
Location: north east lincolnshire
Outfit: Lunar Clubman SE and Kia Sorento XS

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local reputable business- previous fitting done with no problem, that's why we took our new car there. I've been searching the internet but been unable to confirm if the towbar without the ID plate is illegal, just out of interest. We will be taking the car back for a Witter tow bar to be fitted.

tango55

24/2/2011 at 10:17am
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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I believe that being a member of the Camping & Caravanning Club sometimes has it's benefits and if you are a member then you could call their technical helpline on 024 7647 5282 and they should be able to tell you exactly what the legal requirements are regarding towbars and if there is any legal significance regarding the identification plate. I can't think of anywhere else that you could obtain this information from except one of the two major clubs, the other being The Caravan Club which I'm not a member. Anyway, I hope this information is of help to sorting the problem out with the company that fitted your towbar.

wongers

24/2/2011 at 10:39am
Location: devon
Outfit: fc plus 2 many tents

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sorry but i may be missing the point but you say you where billed for witter and that is not what you got?now it is going back to have the correct one fitted,i take it they are doing this free of charge?

-------------
tony
that was a lovely summer

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