Can I make my own towbar

[ColinM50]

I have the skills, tools etc to make my own, I've done it loads of time but not for a few years. But can I still legally do it?

Average cost for a towbar to fit on my Peugeot Boxer based motorhome is around the \£600 - £800 mark

https://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/towbars-by-reg/93...

And that's just for a square section bar five feet long with a couple of easily made brackets welded or bolted on to fit on the chassis. In fact there's a Peugeot Boxer panel van near me and the owner says I can have the bar off it sine he never uses it, but what's the legality?

Do I need some for of Approval and what about insurance in the event of an accident? Anyone point ma at the regs please?

TIA

[tr7v8]

ColinM50 said:

I have the skills, tools etc to make my own, I've done it loads of time but not for a few years. But can I still legally do it?

Average cost for a towbar to fit on my Peugeot Boxer based motorhome is around the \£600 - £800 mark

https://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/towbars-by-reg/93...

And that's just for a square section bar five feet long with a couple of easily made brackets welded or bolted on to fit on the chassis. In fact there's a Peugeot Boxer panel van near me and the owner says I can have the bar off it sine he never uses it, but what's the legality?

Do I need some for of Approval and what about insurance in the event of an accident? Anyone point ma at the regs please?

TIA

Post 98 has to have a Type Approval plate. A pull from DVSA or whatever they are called these days or am accident you'll be in deep poo.

[BrickCounter]

You will probably need a type approved tow bar fitting but it can be bolted to a subframe that you have built.

Many Motorhomes have an up rated rear subframe with a manufacturer’s (witter etc.) bolted on to it.

The manufacturers factory tow bar on my Motorhome was mounted through the very lightweight chassis extension peices and the ply floor !! I had a proper subframe built by a specialist and checked the legality.

[Spare tyre]

Any good ?

https://www.pfjones.co.uk/tow-bars/peugeot-tow-bar...

[dhutch]

ColinM50 said:

... there's a Peugeot Boxer panel van near me and the owner says I can have the bar off it sine he never uses it...

Why not use this existing, presumably legitimate, bar?

[ColinM50]

Spare tyre, thanks. Phoned them, chappie tells me they'll sell me one that SHOULD fit but can't guarantee it. Asked if they'd fit f for me but they don't like to do that on motorhomes. Said I'm better off going somewhere else. Bit effing useless really.

Yes, I could take the one off the local van, but a lot of effing about

[MDMA .]

ColinM50 said:

I have the skills, tools etc to make my own, I've done it loads of time but not for a few years. But can I still legally do it?

Average cost for a towbar to fit on my Peugeot Boxer based motorhome is around the \£600 - £800 mark

https://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/towbars-by-reg/93...

And that's just for a square section bar five feet long with a couple of easily made brackets welded or bolted on to fit on the chassis. In fact there's a Peugeot Boxer panel van near me and the owner says I can have the bar off it sine he never uses it, but what's the legality?

Do I need some for of Approval and what about insurance in the event of an accident? Anyone point ma at the regs please?

TIA

The price you've quoted above isn't just for the bar though, is it? That's for a top of range detachable bar, plug and play loom, fully fitted. I buy the bars alone for less than £150. Is it just the bar you need? No electrics etc?