indicator buzzer

[John_374320778]

I am new to caravaning and as a result i had to get a tow bar fitted on my peugeot 307.

The problem now is that when indicating whilst towing i have been informed that there should be an audible buzzer sound.

Can anyone advise if this is the case

 

[RayS]

Others will doubtless correct me, but my understanding is that you must have "some indication" that a light on the towed vehicle (e.g. caravan) has failed.

In many vehicles, the rate of Flash slows down when this happens, so if you are particularly observent you will notice it and investigate accordingly.

However, buzzers cost only a few pounds and are relatively easy to fit. An alternative is a second warning light which flashes in sympathy with the indicators when all is well.

Modern cars with multiplex wiring are not so easy to fit as the older ones, but have been about long enough now that any good towbar fitter should know about doing it.

Some European cars eg my MB 270 with 13 pin towing sockets have a sensor in the socket to "tell" the car system when a trailer is connected and so use the existing bulb failure system.

 

[cooky1]

Some cars have an additional light on the dash that flashes when the caravan is attached instead of an audible buzzer. This flashes when the car indicator flashes so you have 2 flashing lights on the dash.

I had a Carlton that had this, and the light on the dash showed a symbol of a towbar.

Sometimes you can't hear the buzzer when towing, but I am not sure if an audible buzzer is now law.

 

[Lisa_5106889]

Hi

When we tow there is an audible "beep" but only when the indicators are used. Sounds a bit like a lorry reversing kind of beep. Thats the only noise we seem to have.

Lisa

 

[John_374320778]

Hi

When we tow there is an audible "beep" but only when the indicators are used. Sounds a bit like a lorry reversing kind of beep. Thats the only noise we seem to have.

Lisa

Thanks for your comment,my indicators just work the same with or without towing but with no audible sound which as a result i cannot tell if the lights are working when towing

 

[Cockovan]

Hi John,

If you want to find out what warning you have in your car connect the van up as if you were towing, take out an indicator bulb and observe the difference it makes in teh way your car responds. The dash panel repeater light might flash faster/slower there may be a separate wanring light indicating bulb failure or you may get an audible signal at this point.

 

[ThePlotter]

If I was you I would pop back to the towbar fitter and ask why he has not fitted the audible warning as it is a legal requirement unless you have a visual warning which I suspect is not likely,it should be part of his wiring kit.

 

[peter_374235415]

When I had my towbar fitted to my 2006 VW Passat I queried why there was no sound when indicators were used and was told that an audible sound is not a legal requirement so long as there was some form of 'indication' of a bulb failure. In my car/caravan situation the indicators flash quicker if theres a bulb failure and I have a brake light failure bulb on the dash board which works with the cars electrics.

 

[jacky3]

in a nutshell,you must have either an audible or visable warning when towing that the lights,indicators have failed on your towing vehicle.this consists of either a buzzer or visual trailer light on dashboard.you must have one of these or it is ILLEGAL

 

[rambler1]

fully agree with klarky it is a legal requirement and the fitter should have installed either an audible buzzer or a visual light on the dashboard to show they are working correctly.some of them are very quiet so as previousley suggested try with the engine off.If no joy back to the fitter for him to sort it,cheers John

 

[GeorgeB]

John,

Below is the definative answer regarding audible or visible warnings for towing, in a nutshell, the warning MUST operate when the indicators are used whilst towing a trailer (for these purposes a caravan is a trailer) the use of a bulb failure system DOES NOT meet the requirements under the construction & use (lighting) regulations.

Note the wording " a device that has been switched on"

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_2.htm#(Ti)3interpretation
"Operational tell-tale" A warning device readily visible or audible to the driver and showing whether a device that has been switched on is operating correctly or not.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_12.htm#nsch7
10. Electrical connections-

(a) All indicators on one side of a vehicle together with all indicators on that side of any trailer drawn by the vehicle, while so drawn, shall be operated by one switch.

(b) All indicators on one side of a vehicle or combination of vehicles showing a flashing light shall flash in phase, except that in the case of a solo motor bicycle, a motor bicycle combination and a pedal cycle, the front and rear direction indicators on one side of the vehicle may flash alternately.

11. Tell-tale-

(a) One or more indicators on each side of a vehicle to which indicators are fitted shall be so designed and fitted that the driver when in his seat can readily be aware when it is in operation; or

(b) The vehicle shall be equipped with an operational tell-tale for front and rear indicators (including any rear indicator on the rearmost of any trailers drawn by the vehicle).

 

[Rita1]

We used to have a beep beep sound when we had 307

Now we have Mitsubishi Outlander there no buzzer or audible light But we are assured its legal And when car goes for test or service they take a bulb out to check its ok

Rita

 

[peter_374235415]

Please see another forum debate on this subject:-

http://www.caravantalk.org.uk/index.php?howtopic=13192&hl=passat
and also question 17 on the following caravan club link :-

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/NR/rdonlyres/801876BF-A519-46FF-BC4F-F2DF284BD52C/0/TopTwentyCaravanningQuestionsAnswered.pdf
so long as there is some form of warning whether audible or otherwise then you are ok.

 

[Geordie]

I've had tow-bars fitted to my last 2 shoguns and 1 fitted to a VW golf in recent years and none have had a warning buzzer.I asked at the time at both networks and was told it is not a legal requirement and any fault will show in the flasher speed.

 

[GeorgeB]

Sorry guys, I don't want to appear to be pedantic about this but the use of a bulb failure warning DOES NOT meet the requirements under the construction & use of regulations.

Reliance on a bulb failure warning systems means that YOU ARE breaking the law!

"Operational tell-tale" A warning device readily visible or audible to the driver and showing whether a device that has been switched on is operating correctly or not."

note the wording "SHOWING WHETHER A DEVICE HAS BEEN SWITCHED ON AND IS OPERATING CORRECTLY OR NOT" a bulb failure warning does NOT show you that it has been switched on, it merely tells you that it has failed, therefore it cannot possibly meet the legal requirement.

 

[Lutz]

If not already equipped with a tell-tale light in the instrument panel, most German built cars have all the provisions as standard and only require the necessary bulb to be installed. This is because most owners in Germany who want a towbar have it factory-fitted, as the administrative work to have subsequent fitment approved later is a bit of a hassle. This can be avoided if the towbar is factory-fitted and entered in the documentation that comes with the vehicle.

 

[mistermac]

I thought the audible beep was mandatory when you had a towbar fitted - European law, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Lutz]

No, there's no such thing as European law, only European directives. It's up to each country to ratify the directives by incorporating them into their own laws. So if the UK doesn't require an audible warning, there's no need for a buzzer.

 

[kenneth_374315528]

I would like you to read the following which is from the Caravan Club Handbook:- It is a legal requirement to have a a visual or audible 'tell tale' device so the driver is aware all indicators on car and trailer are working. Some vehicles are fitted with a seperate warning device for the trailer indicators. Others utilise a single bulb failure warning system which covers both the towing vehicle and the trailer. Either is considered to be an acceptable method. NOTE: some systems show that the indicators are operating correctly: others show when a fault has occured. Check in car hadbook or with your dealer if in doubt.

Hope this clears up any misunderstanding. Ken