Tow Bar Weights Plate

[mat1]

The Witter fixed swan neck on my new Antara has a rather pathetic sticker as a weights plate.
The old one had a Thule with a stamped metal one.
You just know that this sticker is going to fade and peel off.

What is the legal requirment to display these plates ?
Is it just best i peel it off now and stick it in the inside of the boot, out of harms way ?

Mat

 

[RogerL]

Fading is the owner's problem - the manufacturer has complied with Type Approval by affixing a sticker - it's no different to a caravan manufacturer who fits an identity sticker with VIN, MIRO, and MTPLM but fades in the open air after at about 4 years old.

 

[Surfer]

Fading is the owner's problem - the manufacturer has complied with Type Approval by affixing a sticker - it's no different to a caravan manufacturer who fits an identity sticker with VIN, MIRO, and MTPLM but fades in the open air after at about 4 years old.

If it is a sticker I doubt if it is legal as it is not fixed permanently and not indelible. Plus the fact that you could stick any sticker on bought off eBay with whatever weights you decide. I think in this case the definition of "fixed" is in question.

 

[mat1]

I have sent this email enquiry to VOSA.

I recently had a Witter fixed swan neck tow bar fitted to my 2012(my) Vauxhall Antara.
The EEC type approval mark is nothing more than a sticker, stuck to the tow bar.
Its contents do conform regarding its contents ie D, S, V and U values.
My concern is that this sticker will without doubt either fade or peel off over time.
This in itself, i believe breaches the regulations as " the approval mark shall be indelible and clearly legible even when the coupling device is attached to the vehicle."
I have thought about removing the sticker and placing it inside the boot area, where it will maintain its indelible and legible state.
My concern is that it will not be visible.
That said i would have thought that any inspection would be done with me present, and as such i could point out the approval mark.
My previous Antara had a Thule towbar, Land Rover Discovery a Brink and the approval marks were on a fixed, stamped plates, which begs the question of towbar manufacture compliance.
I have also noticed a vast number vehicles, with tow bars fitted, that have no approval mark shown, all be it they may be underneath on a cross member, for example.
I would appreciate if you would offer guidance and advice regarding this matter, in particular my thought process regarding the removal and replacement of mine..
Thank you

I will post what reply i get

Mat

 

[RogerL]

If it is a sticker I doubt if it is legal as it is not fixed permanently and not indelible. Plus the fact that you could stick any sticker on bought off eBay with whatever weights you decide. I think in this case the definition of "fixed" is in question.

Why wouldn't a sticker be fixed permanently, it's only a matter of the correct "glue" - most cars and caravans only get stick-on VIN plates although the VIN number itself will be stamped elsewhere as well.
Indelible is just a matter of specification although many Baileys from the early 2000s have "blank" VIN stickers as the information has since faded.
The law doesn't define just where stickers/plates can be bought.

 

[mat1]

Reply from VOSA today.
They asked me to direct the question to the DOT.
I wait for their reply.

Mat

 

[mat1]

Duplicate post sorry.
Mat