Undertaking on Motorway... 189Because any direct connection would cost too much to add to be economical when most cars will never tow. That doesn't happen. For several years now, all...
There is a mechanical connection via the tow bar. Such systems have been proved in service and are specifically prescribed by the law.
In the 1960s, maybe. Modern cars have fixed mounted points.
Because you are mistaken. My car, and all the other cars and light commercials I have ever towed with, have all the towing limits listed in the handbook. This includes maximum braked trailer mbutt, maximum train mbutt (usually maximum braked trailer mbutt and car MAM, but not always) and maximum tow bar downforce.
Very nice. Also, quite appropriate for a 38 tonne vehicle. For an infrequently used 1 tonne trailer, such sophistication is completely unnecessary. This is particularly the case as a small proportion of the trailer weight will be retarded by the car. The maximum retarding force from the trailer brakes will therefore, need to be lower than that of the towing vehicle, and therefore very unlikely to lock, particularly with the larger twin axle trailers, which have double the tread contact area. Basically, for those wheels to lock, the car would need to stop quicker than a standard ABS equiped car could.
They work very reliably, if maintained, and are sophisticated devices with damping.
Auto reverse brakes have been compulsory since 1989.
Undertaking on Motorway... 190Conor, you really do spout some tripe and I see that you persist even though you've been shown to exaggerate wildly. Your words referenced below again show that you're pontificating about...
Most cars are designed to tow (some exceptions like the Ford Ka). This is why they have all these mounting points and towing limits. That is why the tow bars have to be type approved. They are not designed to tow 25 tonne trailers, but they very adequetely tow light braked ones. They do so with a safety record such that no insurance company I've ever dealt with has ever requested a premium loading based upon the presence of the tow bar. Indeed, I suspect that drivers who decide to tow are statistically more careful drivers.
Christian.
