New rules on the towbar of a passenger car. Homemade tow hitch for a car

Is it allowed to install a towbar on a passenger car: Russian legislation on installing a towbar A towbar is a towing hitch (Hitch), which is installed on a car in order to connect a trailer to it. The towbar can be installed in the standard places provided for it in the service center or independently, if it does not require any structural damage to the machine. That is, welding, drilling, etc. are not used. From 01.01.2015, the Technical Regulations "On the safety of wheeled vehicle»TR CU 018/2011 (hereinafter - the Technical Regulations). It regulates the process of making structural changes to the structure of the car. The installation of a towbar does not apply to such changes if the manufacturer has provided places for its attachment and has included it in the list of additional equipment for this car model. In the absence of data on the towbar in the type approval of the vehicle (OTTS ) and the documentation of the manufacturer, its installation will be a change in the design of the machine. In this case, permission for its installation is given by the traffic police. This is evidenced by clause 7.18 of the SDA and the Law "On Security road traffic "No. 196-FZ dated 10.12.1995. Important. If the car is not in operation, no one has the right to fine the owner for its re-equipment. When operating a car with a towing hitch (T hitch), you must have the following papers: Passport (installation instructions) of the towbar with a mark of the car service about its installation. A copy of the T hitch certificate. Act on the work done. Is it necessary to register a towbar with the traffic police: new rules for installing a towbar on a passenger car Many drivers are concerned about the question: how to legally install a traction device? Any changes made to the design of the car need to be registered with the traffic police. The installation of a towbar on almost all car models is allowed by the manufacturer. This is indicated in the operating manual. The installation of the towbar does not apply to structural changes to the vehicle. The towbar does not need to be registered with the traffic police in the following cases: The towbar is installed by the manufacturer. The towbar has a passport and a certificate of conformity. The device for the trailer is installed according to the instructions given in the passport, that is, the design of the car has not been changed.When installing the towbar on the car, you should be guided by the information from the operating documents for the car. If it is reflected in them that the installed towing hitch is certified for use as part of this vehicle, then there is no need to register the changes. New rules establish: the towing hitch is not checked or approved by the traffic police (clause 77 of the Technical Regulations) in the following cases: The towbar is intended for this car. The assessment of the compliance of the vehicle with the vehicle has been carried out, there are supporting documents. Installation is provided by the manufacturer. Information about whether this vehicle is allowed to tow a trailer is indicated in its load table. It is located on the right B-pillar or under the hood. It informs about the possibility of connecting a trailer. If the corresponding line does not contain data, the towbar must be registered with the GAI. Requires the registration of the towbar, bolted or welded to the power elements of the machine, and necessary for serious traction loads. When installing the towbar with your own hands, the following rules should be observed : Choosing a device suitable for a specific make and model of a car Reading the instructions for the towing hitch Preparing the necessary tools Dismantling the bumper and its amplifier Installing beams and brackets to the body side members according to the scheme specified in the instructions Fastening the socket to the beam; connecting the wiring harness to the beam with plastic cords. Pulling the harness through the opening in the rear panel. Wiring, the connector for it is on the car diagram. Connecting two blocks. Installing removed machine parts. Attention! The bolts connecting the trailer hitch elements to the body must be carefully tightened. If the attachment points are rusted, they should be treated with anticorrosive. Competent installation of the towbar will ensure the duration of its operation, reliability on the way and trouble-free operation. What documents are needed to register the towbar with the traffic police? Preliminary inspection at the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, the owner must visit the traffic police and write an application for a preliminary examination of the design of the car, hand over the documents through the window and get a decision after a certain period of time. On the towbar.Certificate of registration of a passenger car.Page 2. Expertise after changes with safety assessment The vehicle is installed with a vehicle. where checking After that, the technical examination is carried out by the traffic police and a certificate is issued. To obtain it, the car owner provides: a diagnostic card; a towbar purchase agreement and other documents; a certificate for a towbar; a declaration from a car service; an application and a decision made by a preliminary examination. A towbar on a passenger car is prohibited - the amount of a fine Legislation prohibits the installation of a towbar on a car, if it is not specified as an optional equipment in the OTTS. A copy of the document can be requested from the dealership or from the car manufacturer. It is received by firms that manufacture or import cars into the Russian Federation. It is impossible to equip a car with a towbar if it is forbidden to use a trailer. So, having a category "B", it is legal to drive with a trailer if its weight does not exceed the maximum weight of the equipped car. And the permitted weight of the car and the trailer in the amount not exceeding 3.5 tons. In other cases, or for the use of a heavy trailer, category "E" is required. When inspecting a car with a towbar, the inspector may issue a fine if the vehicle is: Non-standard or faulty. or optics. Installed in places not provided by the manufacturer. If problems arise when registering a car due to the presence of a tow bar, you should ask the traffic police officer for a written explanation of why he imposed a ban on registration. Based on the explanations received, you can write a complaint addressed to the head of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate. The penalty for the TSU provides for Part 1 of Art. 12.5 Administrative Code. Its size is 500 rubles. It can be paid with a 50% discount. This is permitted by Art. 32.2 of the Administrative Code. This can be done within 20 days from the date of its discharge. All new traffic fines in 2017 Driving without registering constructive changes to a car implies administrative responsibility and increases the danger to the life and health of road users. Is it possible to avoid a fine for a towbar without registering it with the traffic police? :one. First, you should conduct a dialogue with the inspector that everything will be corrected in the near future. Ask him to limit himself to a warning. The legality of this is confirmed by Art. 12.5 Administrative Code. Such tactics are especially effective if the driver has not violated traffic rules in the last 6 months or a year. Use of a detachable towbar It is difficult to logically state that these design changes will affect the likelihood and outcome of an accident; any reasonable inspector will accept this point of view, since there is no protruding element. The towbar is installed at the factory, or there are fasteners for it; In this case, the hitch is not a constructive change to the car. Reference to clause 77 of the Technical Regulations If the requirements of this document for the car are met - the trailer hitch is certified for the car on which it is installed - it means that the traction device has been assessed, and you can ride with it. So, if you have a towbar, you need a certificate of compliance with the Technical Regulations. Thanks to the certificate, the traffic police officer will not be able to fine the car owner. If the installation of the vehicle does not provide for structural changes to the car, does not cover the license plate, you can install it yourself. Additional registration in the traffic police is not required.

A hitch (hitch) is a link between a car and a tug, caravan and / or caravan.
If a towbar was not initially welded into the car, but there is a need for it, then it is advisable to purchase a hitch of the brand that is provided for this car. Then you do not need to make extra holes, cut something off.

Stationary hitch

Fixed (stationary). Non-removable hitch is one piece with the car body.
Removable. The part is easily detached.
Flanged. Fastening is carried out by bolts to a specific site. Designed for the transportation of heavy and oversized cargo. It is the most versatile, there is a possibility of height adjustment.

Registration of a hitch for a car

Registration with the traffic police is needed for individual changes in the design of the car, according to the list, which contains an item about hitch.

Car owners know for sure that any vehicles and any caravans must be registered with the traffic police. But not everyone is aware that there are new requirements for towing devices of passenger cars. Therefore, registration with the traffic police is necessary for individual modifications in the design of the car, according to the existing list in the traffic police. And just in this list there is an item that you need to register a tow hitch on a passenger car.
In order to safely drive with a towbar installed and not receive fines for a tow hitch on a passenger car, the driver must have the following documents:

Removable tow bar

Certificate for a tow hitch for a passenger car.
A passport for a towbar (issued when purchasing a part, when buying a car, when installing a towbar in a technical center).
Documents certified with a blue seal: a certificate of the auto center and an act of completed work.

If the hitch is already installed, then you need to contact a certified auto center (TSU) to diagnose the machine.

How to legalize a tow hitch for a car, if it is already installed? In this case, you need to contact a certified auto center to diagnose the car, in particular the towing vehicle. The permissiveness of the towbar and its operation are determined. Further, a package of documents is issued.
A permit for a tow hitch for passenger cars is issued by the traffic police. But before getting a certificate, you need to go through a technical examination. To do this, you must provide the following documents to the traffic police:

application of the established form (issued by the traffic police);
a package of documents for a towbar;
machine registration certificate.

Then a hitch for the car is installed on the machine. Registration takes place after the following steps have been passed:

Flange hitch

checking the safety of design changes;
preparation of a diagnostic card;
technical expertise.

The installation of a hitch is allowed only on vehicles designed for towing trailers.

diagnostic card;
tSU purchase agreement;
towbar certificate;
a declaration from a car service;
statement;
expert solution.

Note! Not all vehicles are allowed to install a towbar. The law for the installation of a tow hitch in a passenger car prohibits the use of a tow hitch on vehicles not intended for.

Rules for installing a tow hitch on a passenger car

For such work, you will need a jack or a viewing hole. Then you need to follow the following guidelines:

The static sheer load on the ball and the maximum mass of the trailer specified in the passport must not be exceeded.

Select the device of the desired brand.
Carefully read the instructions for the towing hitch.
Prepare the necessary tools.
De-energize the machine.
Empty luggage compartment.
Remove upholstery and spare tire.
Outline the location of the towbar. The fit should be tight.
Fasten the hitch with clamps, bars and clamps.
Remove both the bumper and its amplifier.
Drill holes for fixing the device with a drill and treat them with anti-corrosive liquid.
Tighten with bolts, washers and nuts.
Strictly according to the diagram in the instructions, mount the beams and brackets to the body side members.
Securely attach the socket to the beam; connect the wiring harness to the beam with plastic cords.
Pull the harness through the opening in the rear panel.
Carry out electrical installation according to the scheme.
Connect the two pads.
Refit the removed machine parts.

Attention! It is impossible to increase the static sheer load on the ball and the maximum mass of the trailer specified in the passport. Otherwise, the tow hitch may break down and break.

Homemade tow hitch for a car

First you need to prepare the following materials:

Steel pipe, the length of which is slightly over one and a half meters, cross section 50 x 50 mm.
Steel sheet thick. 5 mm, 300 x 70 mm - 2 pcs. and 200 x 70 mm - 2 pcs.
Steel sheet thick. 2 mm, 120x120 mm to the socket bracket.
Bolt M 10x1.25 dl. 80 mm with nut - 2 pcs.
Bolt M 12x1.25 dl. 50 mm with nut - 6 pcs.
Nuts with screws for fixing the socket (M 3 or M 4 length approx. 40 mm).
Power socket.
Insulated copper wires of different colors, PVC insulating tape.

Remove the bumper. There are a couple of holes under the bumper mount.
Measure the distance between the outer edges of the holes to the inside of the side members.
Cut off from the steel pipe a part equal to this distance.
Make a mark in the middle of this line.
Drill holes 5 x 5 cm at the edges of the strips. 20 cm.
Put on strips with holes towards the middle of the pipe.
With a welding machine, weld strips to the pipe at a distance that allows you to mount a hook for a trailer with a ball between them.
Drill holes for fasteners in the plates, similar to the holes in the hook.
Fasten the trailer hook with 10 bolts and nuts.

It is necessary to follow the safety rules: when working with a grinder, wear protective goggles, when welding - a mask.

Weld strips of length to the ends of the pipe. 30 cm opposite to the direction of the hook at right angles to its bracket.
Insert the welded strips inside the side members.
Drill three holes Ø 12.5 mm from the outside in the rear side members.
Try on a bumper. The hook should be located so that it does not interfere with the bumper in its original place, and also does not touch the road.
Remove the device, chamfer the holes on both sides.
Weld M 12 nuts to the plates opposite each hole from the side of the drill entry, having previously bolted them.
To install the socket, in a 3 mm thick plate, make holes for the connector pins, and several smaller ones for fastening.
Weld the plate to the hook bracket parallel to the pipe.
To strengthen the spar, it is worth installing a corner with nuts. Thus, you get a removable hitch.
With the help of headlights, it is permissible to supply power to the towbar, and the outlet - using a connector.
It is advisable to equip a safety chain attachment.

Important:

butt welding is not recommended. To fasten steel strips to the edges of the beam, cut holes in them according to the size of the pipe section, put them on its ends, and scald;
observe safety rules: when working with a grinder, wear protective goggles, when welding - a mask;
before painting the towbar, treat it with a rust preventer c. Sand the surface with sandpaper. Wash off waste with water. Dry well. Cover with adhesive primer, dry. Sand with 400 grit sandpaper and water, dry. Degrease with alcohol or benzine (do not use solvent).

The homemade hitch for the car is ready.

Note

This article tells about the towbar in great detail and in an accessible way: how and where to register a tow hitch for a car, is there a penalty for not registering. What documents are required if you have a towbar. How to make the towbar yourself, and how to install it on the car yourself. This article is intended to reveal as much as possible all the nuances in these issues.

The vehicle hitch is not always subject to registration. Equipping a car with it refers in some cases to design changes that cannot be made without agreement, as well as to operate such a car. If the device is not properly issued, the owner will be fined.

What is a tow bar

A towbar is a towing device that is used to tow a trailer, trailer, bicycle. Due to the fact that the load from it is evenly distributed over the body, transportation will be safe. If it is correctly installed, it will not spoil the appearance of the car, will not become an obstacle to viewing state numbers. For safety reasons, the towbar on the car must be removable.

Do I need registration

For about a year now, the question of whether a towbar registration is necessary has not left the forums of motorists. And all because since 2016 changes have come into force regarding mandatory registration constructive changes in the vehicle. And now, in addition to registering the trailer with the traffic police, you also need to take care of the hitch.

Installation of a towing hitch (Hitch) on a vehicle is possible without registration, if the design of the vehicle itself provides for the installation of such additional equipment. If we consider cars that are used on the roads, 98% of them have this opportunity.

But here you must not miss an important point. You can put a towbar, and there is a place for its installation. But is such additional equipment, fasteners for it provided by the vehicle manufacturer? If the towing hitch is included in the list of equipment that can be installed for a car of this model and brand, then registration is not required. If it is not in the list, then welcome to the traffic police, and even before you start installing it. This still needs to get permission from an expert.

Even if the hitch is approved for installation, it must be carried out correctly and using standard towbar models. If the device interferes with viewing the license plate, it will be too large or its shape is non-standard - the inspectors will certainly be interested in such a towbar and conduct a thorough check of the vehicle.

Correct driving with a tow bar

This does not mean road safety, but documentary legality. If the inspector stops to check, in addition to the usual set of mandatory documents for the car, you will need to provide:

A certificate of conformity and a TSU passport, which must be included with the device itself. When buying, its availability must be checked. In the passport itself, there must be a seal of the auto center that installed the device.
Documents from the auto center that it can carry out such work, that is, there is a certificate for this. The owner of the vehicle is given a copy of the certificate, certified by signature and seal, and an act of completion.

These documents must be present, their absence is certainly a fine.

Is it possible to install a hitch

This is a question that certainly interests those who plan to register such changes in the future. If this is not spelled out in the manufacturer's recommendations, you can independently find out whether it is realistic to "drag" the trailer. To do this, you need a VIN plate, this designation is placed under the hood on the middle right pillar. You need to look for designations in kilograms, they are placed in a column, there should be 4 of them:

The first is the gross weight with passengers and cargo in the trunk or cabin.
The second is the permissible weight with a trailer.
The third is the mass of the front axle load.
The fourth is the mass of the load on the rear axle.

If only 3 lines were found, then it is impossible to equip the car with a hitch.

But this does not mean that the road to the towbar is closed, you just need to carry out the installation through examinations and legalize the presence of a towbar on the car. This must be done according to the regulations for registration of structural changes.

What to do if you already have a towbar

Many have already installed a towbar on a passenger car. What to do in this case? This is another question, because the procedure has already been carried out, and this change has not been registered. There is only one way to legitimize the previously installed TSU. You need to look for a certified auto center that will diagnose the device. It consists in checking the technical condition and the possibility of operation.

After that, they find out who the manufacturer is, and submit an official request to him. If such a device was actually issued by him, then a passport for the device is issued. If it was not possible to determine the manufacturer, then the auto center issues:

Certificate of conformity.
Act of work.
A copy of the auto center certificate with a seal and signature.

Registration of a new hitch

The rules for registering changes in the design of a technical device in 2017 remained the same as last year. It is not difficult, but it will still take some time, order:

Preliminary examination in the traffic police, which will permit or not the installation of the vehicle.
Carrying out the installation of the towbar in a certified center with the approval of these actions by the expert examination.
Checking the condition of the vehicle at the inspection station regarding the safety of the towbar operation.
The second examination in the traffic police.

Punishment

The law has been in effect for almost a year, and lawmakers have decided it is time to punish towbars that are not registered. The administrative fine is 500 rubles. But it happens that the driver simply did not know that the hitch must now be registered. In this case, you can get by with a warning. For such an outcome, you need to behave with the inspector extremely politely and promise that the problem will be eliminated.

Important! If the hitch is really necessary and is often used, then you cannot pull with its design. If not, then it's easier to simply unscrew it, and do not have an extra headache.

The car for many motorists is a second home. Some people spend more time behind the wheel than just sitting or on foot. For my "swallow" I want to do everything as best and comfortably as possible, to protect against accidents and unforeseen circumstances that may arise on the road here and there. For this, all sorts of changes are made, the so-called "tuning". Here we are talking about how to put a TV in your car, and about changing its design features. However, a change in appearance and special design changes requires an introduction to the TCP.

In our article we will talk about such a seemingly simple and not complicated thing like a towbar. Some motorists put themselves this accessory "just in case", for some it is an important and necessary element of everyday use. Be that as it may, its presence must be indicated in the documents for the car, otherwise the car owners risk being fined. Let's figure out why this accessory is needed, what are the penalties for the towbar, more precisely, for the fact that its presence is not indicated in the TCP and how to arrange everything according to the law.

A tow bar is a device that is used by motorists to attach additional structures to a car, such as a trailer. It consists of 2 elements:

Crossbar - in fact, a beam that is attached to the body or frame of the car, depending on the design;
Ball knot - this is a functional part that is attached to the cross member and is used to attach something to the car. There is a ball with a diameter of more than 5 centimeters, which allows you to hook something to the car

A towbar is a towing structure, without which it is impossible to transport a trailer or any other towing device. Many car owners traveling long distances and outside of the city need this design. Towbars are of several types, and are divided according to their design features.... So share:

Removable - This type of towbar is quoted among foreign SUV owners as it can be easily unscrewed and screwed on when required. It does not spoil the appearance of the car, when it is not needed it can be simply removed;
Fixed - the most practical in terms of functionality, because its installation is carried out virtually forever. It is widely used in trucks, not expensive SUVs, if necessary, it can be welded to your car. But when trying to dismantle, difficulties may arise;
Flanged - if the reliability of the towbar is important to you, and you do not want to attach it to the car tightly, then this option is for you. The flange hitch has a platform that is bolted to the underside of the vehicle and can be removed if necessary.

Why register

Some motorists install a towbar on their car as a safety device. In their opinion, the towbar should protect the rear bumper and trunk in case someone bumps into the rear, but does that make sense? By virtue of its design features, the towbar can protect against a light collision, but if the impact occurs at high speed, the damage can be fatal for the car, the body can lead. The presence of a towbar increases the risks, therefore the installation of this device must be registered with the OB vehicle.

However, in 90% of modern cars, the installation of a towbar is provided for by the owner's manual, which does not oblige the owner to register the installation. Registration is not provided in the following cases:

If the towbar is indicated in the operating manual;
If a certificate of conformity and a passport are attached to the towbar when purchasing and its installation was carried out according to the instructions and without changing the design of the car.

That is, by purchasing a towbar from an authorized dealer or at a station service, you disclaim any obligation to register this device. However, it is worth making sure that after installation you are provided with a package of documents that you can provide to a traffic police officer in case of verification. It:

Hitch passport with sales and installation marks;
A copy of the towbar certificate certified by the seller;
Documents confirming payment for the purchase and the provision of additional services (checks, invoices).

If you have a towbar installed, which does not include a certificate or any other documents, then you will need to certify this accessory. To do this, you need to do the following:

Contact an auto center, who has the authority to issue such certificates;
Your car will be diagnosedwhere they will check the technical condition, the possibility of operation;
After payment for work and in the event that the safety and reliability of the towbar is proven, you will be given a certificate.

The cost of such services varies. from 1000 rubles to 1500 rubles... Usually auto centers carry out certification free of charge when buying and installing a towbar. So if you think you’ll save money on making your own changes, it’s wise to consider whether it’s actually cheaper. Wouldn't it be easier to just buy and install it in a car center?

If the installation is not provided for in the operation manual, then you will have to go to the traffic police after completing the installation procedures or obtaining a certificate. Here they will check the compliance of the documents, and then make changes to your TCP and technical standards.

Sanctions

If a towbar is installed on your car, but this is not reflected in the documents, then the device is considered unsafe, and accordingly, its presence is illegal. The first time you will be given a warning, the next, the fine for the towbar will be 500 rubles. Be polite to the inspector, you may be able to avoid punishment for the violation, however, it is better to take care of the towbar certification if you actually use it.