Information
This inspection applies to: all types of towbar fitted
to the rear of a vehicle. It does not include emergency towing eyes.
Assessing wear
Wear in a pin, jaw or hook should be regarded as excessive if the
thickness of the metal at any point is reduced by more than 25%
of the original thickness. Pin locating holes if they are worn or
elongated by more than 25% of their original diameter. These criteria
also apply to pins and breckets for any height adjustment or swivel
devices.
for towballs the amount of acceptable wear is considerably
less. However, a towball should only be rejected if a visual assessment
indicates that the towball is obviously excessively worn.
Play in detachable towballs
Some detachable towballs have play between the receiver socket and
the tapered swan neck fitting. With up to 3mm movement measured
at the ball end. Reason for Rejection 4a should only be used where
play is greater than this.
Inspection of Components
No covers or panels shall be removed to facilitate the inspection
of any components, including towball covers. However, it may be
necessary to inspect some components from inside the luggage compartment,
including lifting of loose fitting mats or carpets.
Quick release mechanisms must not be operated, only
visually assessed.
|
Method of Inspection
1. Visually assess the towbar for wear and pull on the towbar
and/or its mountings to check for security, corrosion, fractures
or damage.
2. Check the towbar assembly is attached to the vehicle structure
using mountings, supports and fixings of an appropriate size and
type.
3. Check the presence and security of:
a. retaining devices e.g. nuts & bolts.
b. locking devices e.g. split pins, 'R' pins.
4. On height adjustment or swivelling towbars, check:
a. for presence, and security of locating or swivel pins.
b. locating or swivel pin retaining devices for presence and security.
6. Check the condition of the body and chassis in the vicinity
of the towbar mountings.
|
Reason for Rejection
1. A towbar component
insecure, fractured or excessively:
2. Towbar assembly is attached to the vehicle structure
using a mounting, support or fixing which is obviously of an inappropriate
size or type.
3.
a. Retaining device missing or insecure.
b. locking device missing, insecure, inadequate or
damaged to the extent that its operation is impaired.
4.
a. Excessive play between a detachable towball and
it's receiver socket.
b. a quick release mechanism that does not secure the towball arm
as intended.
5.
a. A locating or swivel pin missing or insecure.
b. excessive play or wear in a locating or swivel pin bracket.
c. a locating or swivel pin retaining device missing or insecure.
6. Any deliberate modification, excessive corrosion,
damage, fracture or indadequate repair of a load bearing structure
or supporting panelling within 30cm of the towbar mountings, whch
affects its strength to the extent that the security of attachment
of the towbar is significantly reduced.
|
Home
