Factory fitted towbars- Illegal in the UK? Forums

Grockel

My Bessacarr MH has a factory fitted towbar without any confirmatory audio or visual confirmation that the trailer direction indicators are functioning.
I understood this was a legal requirement in UK.
Does anyone know if I am correct please?

Rapide561

Hi

I can confirm that my previous towbar - fitted by Ainleys in Halifax did go beep, beep etc when indicating.

The present towbar is silent!

Russell

SwiftGroup

Hi Grockel,

The directive 76/156/EEC states a tell tale must be fitted and that this must be auditory, visual or both. We fit with our towbars a Westfalia unit (fitted on 2007 and 2008 motorhomes) this checks bulb operation on the trailer. If a bulb fails the unit informs the Fiat body computer and illuminates a warning light the "external light failure" bulb on the dashboard (see page 134 of the Fiat ducato handbook), this fully complies with the directive.

Regards
Andy Spacey - Swift Technical

Rapide561

Andy

How about the "audible" warning, or is it a case of "auditory", OR "visual" OR both.

Cheers

Russell

SwiftGroup

Rapide561

Hello Peter

Thanks for the clarification.

Disco?? Ah , yes - got it!

Russell

Grockel

Hi Andy, many thanks for the prompt reply. Isn't it wonderful that I can get a reply directly from Swift within hours whereas I've been waiting for 5 months for a reply from Chelston, who are apparently awaiting for clarification from Swift!!!!!!!!!!
It is a pity that the old bleeper system is no longer used as the direction indicator click on the Ducato is so quiet and easily missed. I have concluded that it is a bit major job to put an auxillary bleeper onto the new Ducato and fraught with danger of messing about with the can bus system.
Incidentally the section on external light failure is on page 152 in my handbook.

Cheers, G

Chelston

Hi Grockel,

Very dissapointed to read of your problems in obtaining this information.I am pleased however that the Swift group have answered in a timely manner. We at Chelston are on a crusade to improve our customer service and this forum and messages such as yours are helping us to identify areas that need our urgent attention.

Thank you

Tom Lower

vicdicdoc

Why not wire one of these in the indicator circuit . . I've fitted one onto my little Honda C90 moped as an audio reminder when the left/right indicators are operated

peedee

Whilst it maybe an EEC directive I am not aware of it being illegal not to have
a remote "tell tale"????

peedee