Ford Pumas can’t legally tow, but is there a workaround?

[Deisel Weisel]

They appear to be missing the ‘train weight’ from their VIN plates, which means they can’t legally tow, apparently.

There is talk of P and R registered Pumas being allowed, because of some EU legislation that wasn’t introduced until 1st August 1998 (start of S-reg), but those earlier Pumas still appear to be missing the train weight from their VIN, so I’m doubtful that’s a workaround, but correct me if I’m wrong. If it is legal, great, but it does restrict me to the earliest 12 months of Puma production, to purchase a car.

It’s all a little ironic because the Puma is based on the Mk4 Fiesta, and their floorpans appear to be identical, but the Mk4 Fiesta can legally tow. Go figure...

It has been mooted that maybe a VOSA/DVLA engineer might inspect a Puma fitted with a towbar, much like a similar inspection is required that certifies kit car legality. Is this a possibility?

[Roo]

If there's no trailer weight on the VIN plate and V5c it can't tow anything.

[Steffan]

I think the old shape ford Ka is also unlawful for towing. Ford considers the body inadequate to support the additional loads. Since they made the car I think we must assume that they know what they are doing.

I do not think either car can tow legally.

[cptsideways]

The Ka definatley can't tow anything as the back end would snap off after the rust set in in after two weeks of ownership

[paintman]

Can't see an engineer contradicting the manufacturer.
Trying to get insurance would be an issue too.
This may also be an issue, you refer to it in your post - European type approval legislation - http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/towbars/type_approval.as...

[Jakg]

I think quite a few cars are like this - I seem to remember the M3 & M5 also can't legally tow (although many do!) as they just don't have the right paper work to do it.

[quiraing]

Situation: - "I need a car which I can use to tow trailers with, this is important to me".

Thinks: - "I know, I'll get a Ford Puma!".

Hmm.

[GC8]

A replacement build plate would solve this, with the train weights entered from the equivalent Fiesta. That wouldnt make it legal of course, but it would appear to be legal to anyone who checked.

[CAPP0]

ISTR that the Monaro, with a nice heavy kerb weight and more torque than the contents off the average Tesco car park, can't legally tow either?

[Aviz]

Ep3 civic type-r can't tow anything either. Annoying as I wanted to tow a jet ski when I had mine.

[Grenoble]

Jakg said:

I think quite a few cars are like this - I seem to remember the M3 & M5 also can't legally tow (although many do!) as they just don't have the right paper work to do it.

Or the RS6...

[paintman]

I would advise against trying to do anything 'clever' - such as false plates - as whilst you might get away with it on a stop check it will bite you in the event of an accident & you may finish up in more trouble legally as a result.

[Grenoble]

GC8 said:

A replacement build plate would solve this, with the train weights entered from the equivalent Fiesta. That wouldnt make it legal of course, but it would appear to be legal to anyone who checked.

What terrible advice.

If it got to that level of inspection - e.g. by VOSA (?) - don't you think they would have a reference database of year/make/model/approved tow weights to look up against?

[GC8]

It isnt advice. Get a grip man.

[B16JUS]

A coouple of years ago when i had a mini cooper s ( with the centre exhausts ) i wanted to tow a jetski a short distance so just got a removable one made never ever got any issues





Even pulled a boat lol ok not on the road but from the caravan to slipway but it did it just

[aw51 121565]

Tow bars used on cars from S-reg on must be type-approved. This means that towbars made from any old angle iron can't be used on those cars, and makes buying a tow bar more costly for them. VOSA would no doubt pick up on this in a second, as should police traffic/motorway officers.

The wife's Jazz has a towing limit of 400kg; that's rather limiting and makes fitting a tow bar pointless in my view, as with a proper metal trailer it wouldn't take much luggage to get to 400kg total weight .


I got a tow bar for a Montego once - 99p plus £10 delivery on eBay .

[Mandat]

I saw this when I was in Miami a few months ago. I'm not sure what the tow car is but the tow hook was hidden behind the flip down licence plate.

[Track Rod]

Mandat said:

I saw this when I was in Miami a few months ago. I'm not sure what the tow car is but the tow hook was hidden behind the flip down licence plate.

It's a Chevvy Camaro??

[mph1977]

aw51 121565 said:

<snip>

The wife's Jazz has a towing limit of 400kg; that's rather limiting and makes fitting a tow bar pointless in my view, as with a proper metal trailer it wouldn't take much luggage to get to 400kg total weight .

adequate for towing a smal' open 'general' trailer, a multi cycle trailer, a dinghy trailer or perhaps even a single machine crosser trailer ...

[B16JUS]

Mandat said:

I saw this when I was in Miami a few months ago. I'm not sure what the tow car is but the tow hook was hidden behind the flip down licence plate.

thats a jetboat they are a lot lot lighter still great fun too and can be used in shallow water