The towbar is one of the most popular devices for using a trailer among Russians. Over time, the number of motorists who want to install a towbar on their car does not decrease. Recently, traffic police officers are increasingly stopping cars equipped with this device. The fact is that for this, at first glance, imperceptible, detail, in certain cases, a fine is provided.

What is the penalty for a towbar on a car in 2018?

According to article 12.5. According to the Administrative Code, cars must be equipped in accordance with the factory equipment: equipment such as a towbar is not provided for by the design of the vehicle. In addition, the element carries a great danger for cars coming behind due to the fact that the part protrudes beyond the dimensions of the car. In connection with this circumstance, the traffic police officer has every reason to impose a sanction on the car owner.

Important! Penalty for hitch passenger car in 2018 it is set in the range from 500 to 5,000 rubles. The calculation takes into account the degree of danger that the car potentially carries when driving with a towbar without a trailer, so a fine is issued.

Who has the right to issue a fine for a hitch?

The authority to fine and draw up a protocol on the violation of traffic rules by the car owner, in particular, to issue a fine for unregistered fastening, is reserved exclusively to traffic police officers. Only they can draw up papers at the scene of the incident and, in fact, enter the data into a single one.

Important! In no case should you give a bribe to a traffic police officer or try to pay a fine at the place where the protocol was drawn up: in the best case, the fine will have to be paid twice, in the worst case, the car owner will be charged with giving a bribe. And this is a criminal liability.

How to pay a fine for an unregistered towbar?

You can pay traffic fines:

• through the Internet sites of the State Service and the traffic police;
• through Sberbank online;
• through a branch of Sberbank;
• through a smartphone app.

How to avoid a traffic police fine for a tow bar in 2018?

You can try to prove your innocence to the traffic police inspector: you should correct your mistake as soon as possible. The fact is that for this type of offense, in addition to a fine, such a measure of responsibility as a warning is established. Therefore, if penalties have not been applied to the owner of a car over the past six months, his chance of success increases markedly. The likelihood that a law enforcement representative will fine the owner of a detachable hitch is close to zero, since the element does not protrude beyond the bumper.

If the change is provided for by the factory assembly of the “passenger car”, it will be problematic to prove the case: this is not a constructive change, but the inspector will not be able to determine the “idea” of the manufacturer by eye. According to sect. 4 p. 77 technical regulation the availability of original documentation from the manufacturer is a prerequisite for allowing the machine to operate. Such vehicles are not subject to inspection.

The car owner must have:

• passport of the vehicle with a mark on the design change;
• trailer attachment certificate;
• payment document;
• the act of putting a new device on the car.

How to install the towbar correctly to avoid punishment?

The mounting mechanism is as follows:

1. Determine how the machine is designed to make a given structural change in its body. If the manufacturer has provided space for traction device, then the installation can be done.
2. Choose a part from an official distributor - the brand must match the car.
3. Carry out the installation of a towbar with the help of car dealership specialists and draw up the appropriate documentation.
4. Pass the check and registration in the traffic police.

The last point applies to those motorists who welded the towbar on their own. There is a fee, depending on the make and model of the machine.

The following package of documents is submitted to the traffic police:

• application in the prescribed form;
• a copy of the vehicle passport on both sides;
• supporting documentation for attaching the trailer;
• vehicle registration certificate.

After the submission of the accompanying documentation, an examination is carried out, as a result of which the possibility of putting the car into operation is determined. Subject to approval, the car owner will receive a certificate confirming his right to a new structural element.

Important! Registration with the traffic police is not needed if the installation of the towbar is allowed by the manufacturer of the car, if there is a certificate and documentation such as a vehicle passport, and there should be no interference when installing the mount in the car structure, that is, the car owner did not carry out welding, drilling work.

How to sell a car with a towbar?

Selling vehicles with a removable towbar is easy. Difficulties in the sale may arise if the mount is not removed. Therefore, it is important to have supporting documentation with you so that when passing the vehicle check, there is no legal reason for refusing to sell the vehicle. After all, subject to the non-passage of those. inspection, registration with the traffic police can be difficult.

Interesting information! According to sect. 4, paragraph 77 of the Technical Regulations in Russia, if there is a certificate and a license for attaching a trailer, no sanction is provided. Another thing is the installation of third-party production: it will not work to avoid a fine for an unregistered towbar.

Thus, the installation of a removable towbar does not entail any consequences: the car owner has the full right, at his own discretion, to equip the car with any elements provided by the manufacturer. But, if the installation is not provided, and the owner of the vehicle really wants to “weld” the mount, you need to think carefully: in this situation, problems may arise both when registering a car and when passing through maintenance.

Hello dear friends! Many of you are going to install a tow bar on your car to increase its ability to carry cargo. Therefore, I recommend that you first find out what a coupling head is and what a coupling device is. Two concepts about which there are many disputes, discussions and conversations.

I will try to tell you in detail about each device and help you in choosing.

Coupling devices

To be more precise, traction-coupling. Do not forget about the seat-coupling mechanisms, which are also used for towing cargo. Only they are relevant for tractors, that is, large trucks for transporting containers and other trailers. There are also trailers for a walk-behind tractor, which is also relevant for owners of summer cottages. But let's move on to the main topic of conversation.

We are also interested in the traction-coupling version of the device (TSU). We use them for cars. But what kind of abracadabra is this? Under this intricate name hides the towbar familiar to you. Yes, it is correct to call it a towing device, although in fact everyone is used to the simple concept of a towbar.

The following TSUs are popular:

• Bosal;
• Leader Plus;
• Trailer;
• Thule etc.

When planning to buy them and install your own car with your own hands, I would recommend choosing high-quality products that will last more than one season.

TSU are used for coupling with different types trailers. With their help, we carry several sacks of potatoes from the dacha, independently transport building materials and use them for various other tasks, saving money on the services of carriers. I put it on my Renault Duster or Niva, and you don’t know the problems. At the same time, it is not necessary to dirty the interior or trunk.

But TSU are different. Some are designed for a load capacity of 3500 kg of the trailer being installed (this, by the way, is the maximum load for passenger cars), while for others it is a couple of times lower. This parameter imposes restrictions on the weight that the element can support.

Structurally, the TSU consists of two elements:

• crossbars;
• ball joint (fixed on the beam).

There are three varieties of this device, each of which has its own characteristics and functions:

• welded;
• removable;
• flanged.

Let's see who is who. Welded tow bars have high reliability indicators, but you cannot disconnect them. That is, the towbar will be constantly present on the car. It used to be relevant and common. But now there are alternative solutions in the form of removable and flanged towbars.

Removable are easily removed as needed. Although this is clear from the name. But they cost more than welded ones. In terms of reliability and strength, when choosing a quality product, there are no complaints about removable mechanisms.

Flanged coupling devices are mounted on a special, pre-prepared site. This must be considered before installation. Although I would call them the optimal solution in the conditions of modern automotive world and what is happening on the roads. But the choice is yours anyway.

The price for them is different, as well as quality, reliability, durability. Buy only certified devices. They are manufactured according to the current official standards, which guarantees conformity with the selected trailer and coupling head.

This is how we smoothly move on to the topic of coupling heads. And you didn't notice.

Coupling heads

It is logical that the hitch and coupling heads are somehow connected with each other. But how?

Imagine that you have a new or old towbar of a welded or removable type. This hitch needs to be connected to your trailer. But you won't just hook up and go. Nothing good will come of such a trip. History clearly showed this when the first prototypes of towbars and car trailers appeared.

This entailed the creation of a locking coupling device, that is, coupling heads. They serve to ensure a safe and secure connection between the towbar and the trailer. The lock is located on the trailer itself (on the drawbar).

Among the popular SG (coupling heads), I would include:

• Alko Knott;
• Choyo;
• winterhoff.

But before buying them, we will study the key features of the devices.

A modern locking device for trailers or just a lock consists of three components:

• detachable coupling mechanism;
• depreciation system;
• fasteners.

The first element serves directly for the connection between the towbar and the trailer for the car. If the ball diameter is 50 mm or you have a diameter of 60 mm, then the dimensions of the coupling head must be appropriate.

Coupling heads are produced in different shapes, so they can easily be connected to profile and round pipes, ideally lying under the ball. They differ in diameter and cross section. That is, it will not be difficult to select a SG for a pipe with a cross section of 60 × 60 mm. Everything is standardized, and therefore strictly corresponds to each other.

Depreciation elements are present here necessarily to dampen the forces acting on the car during sudden braking and jerking. If there is no shock-absorbing device, there is a high probability of an early breakdown of the entire trailer and at the same time the towbar (hitch, you remember) installed on the machine.

The role of fasteners is extremely clear, since they are responsible for the simplicity and reliability of the connection. Heads differ among themselves depending on what trailer they are intended for. For example, for trailers for passenger cars, they are developed for smaller loads, for trucks, the calculation is made for heavier structures.

If you bought a light trailer for a large SUV, it will probably be too low. This is explained different height installation of a towbar on a passenger car and a jeep. But a spacer will help you here. With its help, the height is adjusted and the optimal ratio of levels between the towbar and the coupling head is achieved.

You can purchase coupling heads from us. They cost about 1 thousand rubles. The range is large, which will allow you to choose the best model for your car. If necessary, we will help you make the right choice by answering your questions.

Features of production and operation

Be aware that a large load behind the machine is a potential hazard. Especially for this, modern trailers are provided with an overrun brake. When you brake, the trailer's entire mass begins to put pressure on the car, pushing it. It's like in a minibus, when the driver slows down sharply, you seem to hold on evenly, but another person falls on you from behind. There is nothing pleasant and safe here.

Therefore, when transporting a large amount of cargo on tractors or even cars, Availability inertia brake on the trailer will help you. How it works? When braking, the inertial force acts on the trailer, which rolls onto the car itself. This force is proportional to the deceleration. The force acts on the hitch head, pushing it down and transferring force to your trailer's brakes. For this, a system of hydraulic or mechanical brakes. This reduces the risk of trailer skidding, improves braking efficiency and safety while maintaining road stability.

As part of the production of trailers, they are checked on special stands using a loader and auxiliary mechanisms. Without it, the design cannot be allowed for sale.

Actively exploiting the towbar and the trailer itself with a coupling head, it is strongly recommended to always have a repair kit on hand. It can come in handy on the road, going on a long journey. Who knows, maybe you are going to your parents in the village to harvest potatoes at your dacha to finish building the bathhouse, simultaneously loading a ton of wood into the trailer.

It is not enough just to choose a good trailer. Under it, you will need an appropriate towbar. Oh, sorry, tow hitch. Although, what's the difference? Well, let's not forget about a reliable coupling head. The main thing is that they match each other and provide a high-quality, reliable and secure connection.

Good luck on the roads, good harvest and quality construction! Or why are you using your towbar with a trailer there ?!

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When it comes to trailers, novice motorists confidently discuss the issues of carrying capacity and maneuverability. But questions towing device confuse only because of the definition of the concept. Is it a hitch for a light trailer, or a trailer coupling head, or maybe a drawbar - is it a tow bar ?!

The benefit of acquiring a branded towbar for a car is understandable. What is a towing hitch (drawbar) or a towbar - this is a hook with a metal ball sticking out below the bumper for throwing a hitch head on it, mounted on the end of a straight or V-shaped trailer drawbar. When there is a need to transport cargo that does not fit in the passenger compartment or trunk, the choice of a trailer is accompanied by questions about the towbar. After all, depending on the fastening, the permissible load on the car frame is calculated. Of course, the weight tables are on the certificates and on the back of the bonnet. But what if the hitch is not installed?

Definitely:

• Look for a suitable or native brand;
• In the absence of custom-made or independently.

What is a tow hitch

In practice, two types of TSU have taken root in Russia:

The advantage of this design is the possibility of equipping the trailer braking system, which will work by means of transmitting mechanical vibrations through the ball to the coupling head and ensure leveling of high-speed differences on the road: the car slows down, the trailer presses the lever on the ball by inertia, the brakes are turned on.

Homemade TSUs try to fit into the specific features of the destination. Otherwise, operation may be prohibited. There are many models on the market. All of them are different:

• By weight classification;
• By design;
• fastening method;
• Electrical fastening features.

Towing with non-standard values ​​can lead to bad consequences. Therefore, the classification of towbars begins with the weight load. Fitting in with your group will ensure long-term viability.

1. For cars with allowable weight trailer 1.5 t;
2. For station wagons, minivans with a similar value up to 2.5 tons;
3. For minibuses, SUVs up to 3.5 tons.

TSU classification:

European design. The difference from domestic ones is the size of the ball, which is marked in inches:

• 1- 7/8 is equal to 47.6 mm;
• 2 is equal to 50.8 mm;
• 2-5/16 - 58.7 mm.

American design. It's a slightly different story. They have the shape of a quadrangular shaft, into which a drawbar tip is inserted with a lock in the form of a hook-shaped handle.

The mounting method involves three types of devices:

Classification of towbars:

The tow hitch is the meeting point of the automotive electrics and the trailer. A socket with 7, 13 or 15 pins is usually mounted on the towbar, and the trailer wiring assumes a similar plug. It happens that the plug and socket turn out to be with different contact options. Choosing a trailer with the right pinout in advance will eliminate the problem. But if this happens, an adapter comes to the rescue.
Manufacturers of towbars, offering their products to the mass consumer, are responsible for the quality of the material and the resistance of the elements in the assembly, which can only be checked in the factory. The requirements of OST 37.001.299 regulate the characteristics. Handicraft towbars live and successfully disguise themselves as original samples. It is good if the craftsman knows the formula for weight distribution relative to the car body and the installation of fastening points, but no one guarantees the reliability of the metal.

How to install a hitch

Mounting a towbar on a car

TSU is attached to the frame or body of the car. The bumper is usually removed and its role goes to the main beam of the trailer. In some cases, it is necessary to drill a spar and install embedded plates. But installing a native towbar is a simple matter. If the car manufacturer has provided mounting points, holes and other elements for installing the towbar, and there is also a document (usually a certificate upon purchase) with the characteristics of the original device, then self-assembly is quite legal and logical. The service will offer a certain price. This will pay off if it is planned to drill additional holes or install a non-native towbar, but suitable in terms of characteristics. The service will issue a written opinion on compliance with the standards.

The condition of the ball and the TSU itself requires constant checking for the presence of:

• Loose, stripped nuts or bolts (grover will prevent loosening, but not stalling);
• ball lubricants;
• Cleanliness of the outlet;
• Weld seams.

The ball experiences critical loads and is subject to wear. It is necessary to measure the diameter every 1-1.5 thousand kilometers.

Tow hitch manufacturers

Finally, a list well-known manufacturers TSU:

• Bosal - 200 samples for cars and trucks from Belgium;
• Brink - the leading position from Holland;
• VFM is a Russian association under the flag of Bosal;
• Westfalia is a large German company. More than 800 items;
• Aragon - Spanish leader;
• HiddenHitch is a North American company;
• AvtoS - Russian company produces trailers and towbars;
• BALTEX is a domestic company from St. Petersburg.

Video review of towbars Bosal

When the picture is clear, there is no point in wasting time inventing what is already in the best option. A sound approach to the solution of cargo transportation and competent installation of the towbar will certainly lead to success. And lovers of inventions should at least focus on the owners of golden hands.

21.10.2014

The coupling head is one of the important safety elements on car trailer. Therefore, it must always be in perfect condition.

There are three criteria by which you can determine whether the clutch head needs to be changed or not:

1. the presence of play in the connection "locking device - towbar"

2. the presence of cracks or defects on the locking device

3. a trailer with this locking device got into an accident

Rules for the operation of locking devices and coupling heads:

1. Do not overload the locking device.

All locking devices are divided by maximum permissible load on them. It is traction and vertical. On with a gross weight of up to 750 kg (VU category "B"), as a rule, coupling heads are installed with a maximum load: traction - 750 kg and vertical - 75 kg. On each trailer maximum load the trailer manufacturer installs the locking device, it is indicated on the trailer nameplate, where it is stamped VIN number. On trailers with a gross weight of up to 750 kg, a vertical load of 10-20 kg is considered normal. In no case should the vertical load on the locking device be negative, the lock is not designed for such work and can be unhooked. Therefore, every time you load the trailer, check the vertical load, you need to adjust it by moving the load in the trailer.

Our advice: If you are overloading a trailer, then for safety, you need to install a locking device with a higher permissible traction and vertical load on the trailer.

2. It is necessary to lubricate the locking device.

All locking devices of light trailers must be lubricated with grease or lithol. Exception: on some light trailers with locking devices with a stabilization function exchange rate stability, it is FORBIDDEN to lubricate the locking devices. Lubrication on the locking device and on the tow ball must be clean, free of dirt and sand. If sand is present there, then it will rub the lock and the ball like sandpaper, respectively, the replacement period for both elements will come earlier. According to the rules, if a ball has a diameter less than 49.6 mm, it must be replaced by a ball having a diameter of 50 mm.

Our advice: To keep the grease on the tow ball clean, put a cap on the ball when the vehicle is operated without a trailer. It will also protect your feet from getting dirty when unloading the trunk. And the Soft-Ball cap will additionally protect your legs from bruises. It is made from flexible rubber. You can buy it in our store.

Also, in our store you can always purchase AL-KO and KNOTT locking devices for all brands of light trailers with a gross weight of 750 kg to 3500 kg. There are always coupling heads with seats under a pipe or a square profile.

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In order to increase the possibilities of transportation by conventional vehicles, a towed platform can be used, on which various loads can be placed, depending on the specifics.

You can attach it for towing using a special design called a tow hitch for a car trailer. The safety and reliability of the movement of the road train depends on its characteristics, purpose and quality.

Hitch mechanism for car trailer

A tow hitch for a car is a metal structure of two connecting elements, one of which is called a hook. It is attached to the back of the car (it is often called a tow bar). The second element is located on the front of the tug (lock).

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The connection point for all existing models is made in a spherical shape. It is on it that the locking device for the trailer of a car is fixed. It compresses the ball, providing a stable connection, but at the same time retains the ability to turn when moving.

Classification and characteristics

Which models are most often used on VAZ cars

A trailer without a towbar is sold because of the variety of different hooks and balls that fit some vehicle models and are not at all suitable for installation on others.

Towbars for passenger cars are divided into different classes depending on the attachment, the shape of the hook, whether the towbar can be adjusted, and also into categories depending on how much weight can be towed with them.

The following fasteners of non-removable hooks can be distinguished (such hooks are either impossible to dismantle, or for this you need to use a tool - unscrew the bolt fasteners):

• Conventional designation and type of ball "A". It is one of the most popular due to its low price and simplicity of design. It is very easy to mount it with your own hands, since the mount itself consists of two bolts, for which on modern brands Vehicle there is a separate place. A towing device for a light trailer with such a towbar is designed for a tug weighing 1-1.5 tons, and the maximum pressure on the ball should not be more than 100 kg if the towing device is planned to be used for a long time. Exceeding this parameter can lead to rapid destruction of the structure and rendering it unusable.

Conventional designation and type of ball "F". special kind, the adjustment of which involves two possible levels height and requires a pre-installed special 4-hole socket.

Conventional designation and type of ball "G". The installation location for it is identical, as for the previous type "F" the same 4 bolt holes, however, they are all used during installation. In this regard, there is no possibility of height adjustment. Thus, for types "F" and "G", the installation site can be the same type and they can be used in different cases, depending on the needs.

• These trailers for passenger cars differ from standard systems in their increased performance. With their help, you can safely tow as much as 2 tons, and the maximum possible pressure on the ball is 150 kg. Installing it yourself is quite difficult and it is better to entrust this procedure to car service specialists.

Conventional designation and type of ball "H". A rare hitch for a car trailer that can be found on cars domestic production, including brands of vases. Assumes the use of a welded joint. It will be impossible to dismantle it in the future. Usually it is an integral part of the structure, connected to the body with bolts. Usually, it can be used to tow loads weighing no more than 900 kg. You cannot install such a structure yourself, you will need the help of a welder.

Removable mechanisms used in domestic and foreign-made machines are mainly represented by manually unscrewed nuts or hooks fixed with switches.

This a good choice for car enthusiasts who do not want to spoil the everyday look of their car and can remove or put back the hitch hook. However, such systems usually do not allow you to take a load weighing more than 1 ton for towing.

Coupling

Hitch for a trailer, which is fixed on the tow ball. Its replacement is usually required only in the event of a breakdown or the need to increase the size of the allowable mass.

These lock designs are also designed to tow various loads, weighing from 750 kg to 3.5 tons. The capabilities of such a lock must correspond to the characteristics of the installed hook.

How to make the right choice at the right price

On the Russian market Coupling mechanisms produced by various domestic companies are presented. Among them:

1. Baltex is a manufacturer from St. Petersburg, which is famous for towbars with stainless lining for SUVs.
2. The leader-plus is the Taganrog company, which has been operating for more than 20 years. Offers various types of trailers at the best price-quality ratio.
3. Soyuz - 96 - the company is located in St. Petersburg. Its products include tow hitches with stainless steel hooks, single and double hooks.
4. The products of foreign manufacturers have gained the greatest popularity. Among them are Aftohak, Brink, Westphalia.
5. Avtohack is a Polish company that promptly establishes the production of trailers for all foreign-made vehicles, including trucks.
6. Brink is a Dutch manufacturer with many handy quick hook options.
7. Westfalia is a German manufacturer trusted by motorists around the world. It is he who holds world brand championship in the production of high-quality coupling devices. It was this company that first introduced the world to removable frakop devices.

The price of a tow hitch for a light trailer, depending on the characteristics and brand, can vary greatly and on average vary from 2 to 15 thousand rubles.

At the same time, options for brands of foreign production usually cost 1.5-2 times more than domestic ones.

To choose the right hitch for a light trailer, you must first determine the purpose of use.

If it is planned to operate rare flights for the transportation of household and construction supplies several times a year, models costing from 2 to 5 thousand rubles are suitable.

If you need regular trips with a towed load, you should pay attention to the towing device for a light trailer on models priced at 5-10 thousand rubles, as they will last much longer and their use will minimize the risk of breakdowns.

A trailer hitch for a car trailer, which allows you to move loads and a vehicle weighing 3.5 tons, is usually used only big companies by cars special purpose. Its cost is an average of 15 - 20 thousand rubles.

It is important to choose trailers for passenger cars not only on the basis of their own characteristics. The type of vehicle should also be taken into account. For example, it does not make sense to put an expensive mechanism with great opportunities transportation. Its power is still not enough to safely transport a heavy load.

A specific model is also selected based on the capabilities of the machine and the purpose of use. When choosing a more expensive imported model, do not forget that replacing parts, for example, springs for a car trailer, will be very expensive, unlike most domestic counterparts.

Is it worth it to do the installation and adjustment yourself

It is also worth thinking a few times before using homemade hitches. In most cases, such use leads to significant damage to one's own and other people's property, life and health of people.

Power socket

If you still need to install it yourself, you can use the following algorithm of actions.