Towing trailers with electric cars

[oldharry]

Citation needed, as the kids say. Authorised by whom?

Insurers: its in the small print of every policy I ever read. They wont cover a vehicle with an illegally fitted towbar

 

[JumbleDuck]

Insurers: its in the small print of every policy I ever read. They wont cover a vehicle with an illegally fitted towbar

Thanks. Interesting. I don't think it's ever illegal to fit a towbar, though it may be illegal to use it. I just checked my most recently renewed policy (both classics) and it doesn't say anything about the towbars having to be "authorised" although it does say I have to stay within the manufacturers towing limits, which I suppose may amount to the same thing. Like almost everything else I expect breaking that will leave RTA third party cover intact, since it's generally not possible to lose that although insurers may come after you for the cost of any claim.

At least one electric car can have a towbar, but only for mounting a bike carrier, not for towing a trailer.

I fit towbars to my classics mainy for protection. Someone hit the DS in the rear a couple of years ago. They didn't hang around to confess, but since there was no damage to my car I am sure they must have hit the towbar, and as the impact hard enough to move it forward three feet and over a kerb I like to think there car would have suffered significant damage.

 

[TernVI]

Tow bars need to be 'type approved' for vehicles newer than some date ages ago, Ford Sierra maybe?
A non-approved towbar would be contrary to construction and use regs?
If It negates the crumple zones it could have injury consequences.
I remember some old towbars with a spar that went a long way forwards in the car, in a heavy rear end shunt, that could be nasty.

My Dad had cars which were held together by the towbars I think!