Trailers and IVA

[b_caswell]

Re: Trailers and IVA

Having spent too much time researching the subject of towing and trailers as well as the driving license side of things!!.. I would suggest anyone thinking of towing gets hold of (a) a copy of DVLA leaflet INF 30 Driver Licensing requirements for Towing Trailers in Great Britain. www.direct.gov.uk/motoring................ and(b) a copy of "the essential towing handbook" by the Police Foundation Author Philip Coyne... ISBN 0 11 552022 8 (every thing you ever need to know about towing a trailer........................... All I will say is the 85% rule is only an advisory...............If you fit a tow bar to a car first registered on or after 1 August 1998 you must fit a tow bar that is type approved so I would assume you would need to have the one off (marlin)tow bar inspected(to make it approved) on the IVA so that the requirements can be added to the VIN plate as they are required...................I would suggest a trip to the IVA station and an informal chat with the inspector.

[milliemarlin]

Following on from the discussion on trailers in another thread. I was going to add a trailer ball and electrics to my sportster before putting it in for its IVA. Am I being totally stupid?

The advantage is that the mechanics and electrics are more easily done at this stage. An IVA pass may be useful at MOT time.
The disadvantage is that there are a whole slew of incomprehensible rules about towing. A bountiful supply of failure points.

I presented Millie for SVA with the electrics for a trailer in place but tucked out of sight (from above). The inspectors questioned it as they were undecided at to if they needed to check it. It was bolted on so that they could not fit a test plug. I told them that I planned to fit a tow ball in the future although I never have. In the end they decided that they did not need to check it.

I have bought the sort of tow ball that can be locked in position or removed (from a Volvo).
Paul