Front towing cover & regulations

[Surfer]

We purchased a front towing cover from a well known company, not Protec unfortunately, but another one specialising in caravan covers. We have recently discovered that the front towing cover may not compling with the regulations covering trailers as the front lights and reflectors are not clearly visible. At night you can only just see the front light shining through the material, however on a murky day, they cannot be seeen at all as there is no viewing window for the front lights and neither are there any reflectors on the front of the cover.
When we purchased it in May and prior to fitting we realised that there were not viewing windows and rejected the goods however the company said that as the cover was customer made for the caravan, it was not covered by the Distance selling Regulations. Unfortunately we accepted this as gospel and accepted delivery. We have since found out that it is a universal fit.
Despite phone calls and emails we are getting nowhere with them. As a matter of fact they have not responded to a single email or to a letetr written to them. When you phone them and start complaining you get put on hold for ages or they fob you off.
Can any one find out if it is correct about the front lights on a trailer being visible? I would need the actual regulation and not info from a third party site like the NTTA. If correct, I would like to pursue this company for either a full refund due to goods being unfit for purpose or for them to adapt the cover and to fit the windows.

 

[trevor123]

Hi Surfer,
Why not give Trading Standard a ring, The Company must have knew about the front side market light that need a little flap to open and show the light, look like they are trying to get rid of the old stock first,
We was going to buy a front cover for towing, but looking around on other site not many van had them on, did speak to one owner and ask if they was good, he reply you got to fit them right or they will flap on the bodywork and mark it,
So we did,t get one and we arrive on site if the front is bit dirty we wash it down,
Good Luck let us know how you get on, Trevor123

 

[RogerL]

The Protec tailored front covers have clear plastic panels sewn into the cover in the appropriate place, to allow the lights to be seen - their universal cover includes some clear plastic for DIY fitment but presumably the cover needs cutting for that.
Some caravans have both marker lights and reflectors at the front.

 

[Raywood]

If you are a member of either of the clubs their legal helpline should be able to help.

 

[Gybe]

It takes less than ten minutes work sewing in a couple of clear pvc patches.
I know it's not the point, but even if you hadn't called the vendow and emailed them it would probably take longer to package the cover and take it to the post office if you had to send it back. A nuisance situation but I'd have cut my losses and sewn in the two windows

far better than getting wound up..

 

[Surfer]

It takes less than ten minutes work sewing in a couple of clear pvc patches.
I know it's not the point, but even if you hadn't called the vendow and emailed them it would probably take longer to package the cover and take it to the post office if you had to send it back. A nuisance situation but I'd have cut my losses and sewn in the two windows

far better than getting wound up..

We also have a problem with one of the side panels fraying at the top although ti doesn't flap around. In addition to the windows, we still need reflective strips as the reflectors cannot be seen. Protec have overcome thsi issue so why the other company doesn't follow suit is beyond me.
As for sewing in the flaps, it will probably cost us about £40 -£50 to get done by a third party as neither of us are very capable with our hands due to arthritis.

 

[Firkle]

Surfer,

This is the UK government web site ( Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations) which you require.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/1/made

Regards

 

[RogerL]

A well as the 1989 RVLR regulations, there were amendments in 1994, 2005 and 2009.

 

[Surfer]

I sent a letter by registered post to the Managing director outlining the issues regarding the lights and reflectors. They contacted me yesterday and had no idea that the front towing covers they were manufacturing were not fit for purpose.
After discussion it was agreed to fit perspex panels for the lights and to place reflectors on the outside of the panel so a result there. I also questioned then about their custom made towing covers which are actually Universal and was informed that they were actually made specifically for the caravan, but were made for the customer. We could have returned the cover under the Distance Selling Act so they were taking liberties with their wording of "custom" made.
Anyway we are posting the cover back to them tomorrow and hopefully it will be returned by end of next week with modifications.

 

[trevor123]

Hi , Glad to hear the good news at last, let hope they keep to their words Let us know when you get the front cover back to see if they done a good job!! Trevor123