Towbar in france

[9994johng]

I think time to target a forum rather than continuing in the new members bit, very welcome though, thanks. As I am going down the register the van process here in France I didn’t fancy doing the car as well so bought a French one yesterday. Well - Swedish but French registered. The dealer will fit a Towbar but I’d just like to check - I’m sure there is an EU standard pin out that I don’t have to worry about being compatible. Van is a 2020 Bailey.
On another point having a google today I saw a mention about detachable tow bars being mandatory in France and it’s illegal to drive with one when not towing? If so I’ve been lucky so far and will whip it off in the morning!

 

[Hutch]

Over to Lutz on this one, new to me. 🥴

 

[Woodentop]

13pin is standard EXCEPT that pins 10 and 11 for the fridge are often not fitted in the EU. Pins 9 and 13 (12V to van) are also sometimes missing. Just write it down on the job sheet and sign it and it becomes contractual.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Covered on another Forum some years ago, it's a peculiarity applicable just in Greece

 

[9994johng]

Thanks officer, much appreciated

 

[Lutz]

On another point having a google today I saw a mention about detachable tow bars being mandatory in France and it’s illegal to drive with one when not towing? If so I’ve been lucky so far and will whip it off in the morning!

That would be a new one on me. The only country that I know requires a detachable towbar, if fitted, to be removed when not towing is Italy.

Just a reminder in case you aren't aware, you won't be able to tow the caravan behind a French registered car until it is also registered.

 

[Mr Plodd]

That would be a new one on me. The only country that I know requires a detachable towbar, if fitted, to be removed when not towing is Italy.

So fixed ones can remain in situ but detachable ones must be removed??
Can't see that ever being enforced, what if you lose the key, or the key gets broken off in the lock and the hitch cannot then be removed?.

 

[Lutz]

So fixed ones can remain in situ but detachable ones must be removed??
Can't see that ever being enforced, what if you lose the key, or the key gets broken off in the lock and the hitch cannot then be removed?.

I really have no idea how they enforce it or whether anyone actually bothers to enforce it.
The reason for the law as it was explained to me was that the overall length of the vehicle in the registration document is without a towbar so if the towbar is present, the vehicle is longer than what the registration document says and therefore, strictly speaking illegal. If that is so, then presumably one has to have the length shown on the registration document amended if a fixed towbar is fitted in Italy.

 

[Mr Plodd]

I don't think my cars length is shown on its V5

 

[Lutz]

I don't think my cars length is shown on its V5

No, it's not on a V5, but it probably is on the Italian equivalent. (The overall length is shown on my German registration papers so the Italians may be the same.)

 

[9994johng]

That would be a new one on me. The only country that I know requires a detachable towbar, if fitted, to be removed when not towing is Italy.

Just a reminder in case you aren't aware, you won't be able to tow the caravan behind a French registered car until it is also registered.

Yes saw that Lutz thanks, bit of a logistics problem maybe in dec when I need to tow to storage, that’s ok, still got the uk car, but won’t have when I come back. Need to concentrate on getting the registration, apparently need a weighbridge, working on it, Confolens area might be a lorry firm with one. Thought I’d found one just down the road but it looks like last used to weigh the apple harvest about 1783…