FAQ towbars
Here below we can hopefully answer many of the questions frequently asked with regard to towbars
How do I know that all the requirements are fulfilled so that a towbar does not have to be registered?
- The towbar and the vehicle must have an EU licence.
- The fitting and operation instructions for the towbar include a diagram with the clearances required in accordance with the necessary EU Guideline 94/20/EG and the ECE Regulation No. 55.
If either of these conditions is not fulfilled, a proper fitting approval will be required from the officially recognised testing authority. These rules do not apply in non-EU countries and the towbar and its installation must be noted at the official test centers.
Do all MVG towbars have to be approved by an officially recognised authority?
No. The installation approval of the towbar is part of the vehicle authorisation in accordance with the guideline 94/20/EG and the ECE regulation No. 55, and it will be carried out at MVG by an officially recognized expert or inspector and documented accordingly in the assembly and operating instructions of the towbar.
Therefore, it is not necessary to present the vehicle to the inspecting authority, nor does the MVG towbar have to be registered separately in the car documents.
In countries that do not belong to the EU, an entry with the official test centers is also required, as the above-mentioned EU directives do not apply there. The registration can usually be processed on site by the specialist workshops in these countries.
Important: The assembly and operating instructions of the towbar must be kept with the vehicle documents and carried by the driver at all times.
What are the given trailer and coupling loads references?
As far as the trailer and coupling loads are concerned, the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications are decisive for the use of the vehicle, whereby the values of the towbar load may not be exceeded.
Can a damaged towbar be repaired?
What does the scope of delivery of a towbar include?
How can I find out the maximum traction weight?
- The maximum traction weight is the second value on the vehicle identification plate.
- The vehicle registration documents can have appropriate remarks regarding the maximum traction weight (in kg). This defines the maximum permitted gross weight of the convoy (combination of towing vehicle and trailer). This limitation must be observed by the vehicle owner / driver.
Assembly and assembly times for the towbar
Towbars and electrical kits are safety components and should only be fitted by qualified personnel!
How is the maximum traction weight calculated?
- Maximum permitted traction weight: 2975 kg
- Braked trailer load: 1250 kg
- Maximum traction weight permitted: 2025 kg
- Max. tare weight of the towing vehicle incl. 75 kg for the driver: 1525 kg
Example 1 – Trailing load fully utilised
- Maximum permissible traction weight: 2975 kg
- Braked trailer load: 1250 kg
- Maximum permissible traction weight: 1725 kg
- Max. tare weight of the towing vehicle incl. 75 kg for the driver(Clause 14): 1525 kg
- Remaining load capacity for the towing vehicle: 200 kg
Maximum 3 additional persons permitted
Example 2 – Towing vehicle loaded to maximum
- Maximum permissible traction weight: 2975 kg
- Maximum permissible laden weight: -2025 kg
- Maximum permissible weight of trailer: 950 kg
Maximum permissible weight of trailer of theoretically1250 kg may not be utilised to the full.
Example 3 – Towing vehicle and trailer loaded to maximum
- Permissible gross vehicle weight: 2025 kg
- Braked trailer load: +1250 kg
- Real maximum traction weight: 3275 kg
- Permissible maximum traction weight -2975 kg
- Excess traction load: 300 kg
These loading conditions are not permitted!
How is the D-value calculated in accordance with guideline 94/20/EG?
- Permissible gross vehicle weight: 2025 kg
- Braked trailer load: 1250 kg
- D-value of km/h: 7.582 kN
*Legend:
D = D-value of the towbar [kN]
T = Total mass of the traction vehicle [kg]
R = Total mass of the trailer [kg]
g = Gravity (9.81) [m/s2]
Can the trailing load for my vehicle be increased?
How can maximal/minimal trailing load of a towbar be calculated in accordance with 94/20/EG?
- Max. empty weight of traction vehicle incl. 75 kg for driver: 1525 kg
- D-value of the used km/h: 9.1 kN
- Max. permissible trailing load of km/h: 2368 kg
- Permissible total traction weight: 2975 kg
- Max. empty weight of traction vehicle incl. 75 kg for driver: -1525 kg
- Permissible maximum weight of trailer: 1450 kg
- Braked trailer load: 1250 kg
- The permissible trailing load of the vehicle – 1250 kg – is in this example the lowest limit and may not be exceeded.
*Legend:
D = D-value of the towbar [kN]
T = Total mass of the traction vehicle [kg]
R = Total mass of the trailer [kg]
g = Gravity (9,81) [m/s2]
Example 2 – Trailer with maximal loaded vehicle
- Permissible total traction weight: 2025 kg
- D-value of the used km/h: 9.1 kN
- Max. permissible trailing load of km/h: 1711 kg
- Permissible total traction weight: 2975 kg
- Permissible total traction weight
- Permissible maximum weight of trailer: 950 kg
- Braked trailer load: 1250 kg
- The permissible trailing load of the vehicle – 950 kg – is in this example the lowest limit and may not be exceeded.
*Legend:
D = D-value of the towbar [kN]
TLeer = TotalEmpty mass of the traction vehicle [kg]
R = Total mass of the trailer [kg]
g = Gravity (9.81) [m/s2]
Can the towbar be fitted on lowered/raised vehicles?
For lowered vehicles the following applies:
The clearances specified in the Guideline 94/20/EG, Annex VII, Illustration 30 and the ECE Regulation No.55, Annex 7, Illustration 25a/25b must still be warranted.
With a maximum permissible weight of the vehicle and maximum rear axle weight the towball must be positioned between 350 mm and 420 mm from the ground to the centre of the towball.
For raised vehicles the following applies:
An alteration to the serial towbars is not possible for reasons of EG/ECE approvals. If the towball of the towbar on the raised vehicle is so high that proper use of the trailer is not warranted, the trailer must be adjusted in accordance with the technical possibilities (e.g. a height adjustable towbar) but still keeping in line with the technical specifications and guidelines.
If the adjustment of the trailer is not possible then the MVG towbar cannot be used. In such a case a towbar from the accessories for off-road vehicles can sometimes help.
What happens if the key for the removable MVG ball hitch gets lost or is broken?
– To be on the safe side, the key number should be noted in the operation manual of the removable MVG ball hitch. –
How can you tell if a car is allowed to tow a trailer?
You will also find additional important information for trailer operation in the registration certificate part 1 (vehicle documents). Here are the values O1 and O2 as to the braked and unbraked towing capacity technically authorized are specified. If no values are given here, then the vehicle is not approved for towing.
What material are used to make the MVG ball-rods?
Does the vehicle warranty expire due to the subsequent installation of a trailer hitch?
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