If your car was first used before August 1998, (from memory) then the E marking etc does not apply. If after, then a towbar neeeds to have E-mark or car may fail MOT. Not sure what is the situation if you present car with bar but without tow ball for MOT.
Xk8 tow bar
I have been looking on the web for a tow bar to fit my XK8 (2001my). I have seen them fitted so I knew they were available, finally stumbled across a new one in the USA it is of the receiver type so only a 50mm square bung can be seen just under the bumper when the ball is removed. My question is how legal would it be to use said item? After all it is made for this car just not made in the UK !! Russ :?
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They shouldn't be able to fail your car at MOT on a non present tow ball. They can and should test the electrics though to ensure they work properly.
The MOT only checks the electrics on the 13 pin sockets. On the 7 pin they only check the security of the bar and the security of the wiring.They shouldn't be able to fail your car at MOT on a non present tow ball. They can and should test the electrics though to ensure they work properly.
All tow bars after 1998 must have the E plate which shows the bar is Type Approved. This only covers the Bar not the tow ball.
Mine is fitted with a removable tow ball and I never have it attached at MOT time.
If the bar does not have an approval plate then the MOT could fail.
Roger
The XK8 was never homologated for a tow bar, so you can't legally fit and use one. Here in Spain it would be a guaranteed MOT fail and fine if you were caught using one.
The UK is a lot more lax on enforcement, but they do regularly stop and check that trailers are legally within the weight limits, which your illegal tow bar would automatically fail.
I think a small trailer for a trip to the tip would be ok, but I don't think I would risk towing a boat or a caravan as you risk getting stranded.
The UK is a lot more lax on enforcement, but they do regularly stop and check that trailers are legally within the weight limits, which your illegal tow bar would automatically fail.
I think a small trailer for a trip to the tip would be ok, but I don't think I would risk towing a boat or a caravan as you risk getting stranded.
OK so take a look at this on ebay 121047154421 That is what I have for my car (fitting this weekend) I will of course use UK electric socket. Another interesting find today was the Watling tow bar site they do a bar for the XK8 but only 1996 to 1998 ??? Of course it will fit later cars as same boot floor but why only list up to 98? I will still be fitting the USA made tow bar as it does look much better when the ball is removed ie virtually invisible. Another find today was that tow bars of any type will not fail an mot (provided fitted securely in the correct way) because some bicycle carriers use them to attach to the car so in theory they might not ever be used for a trailer. As for homologation has the XK been put through that in the USA? and if so being it is a USA made tow hitch would it be ok to use on a UK registered car? After all the USA XK8's are exported from here in the UK. It's a grey area that I can't get a positive answer on. Russ
I spent a lot of time looking into this subject when I owned a Merc CLS and wanted to fit a tow bar.
Mercedes are of the opinion that they don’t want people spoiling the aesthetic appeal of any car in their coupe range by using them as tow cars. Consequently, when applying for type approval, Merc does not include a tow bar amongst the items defined in the build standard.
(It’s an important but subtle point: the issue at stake is that of EU Type Approval, and not homolgation. The USA is not part of the EU so the rules on EU Type Approval do not apply there. I am unsure of whether the US has any similar rules about owners may fit to their cars.)
A large German company called Rameder sell tow bars, made to their specification by a Belgian company whose name I forget, but it isn’t germane to this issue.
Because the floor pan of the CLS is identical to that of the standard E Class saloon, Rameder went to the German Type Approval authority, armed with a sub set of the design data set for the E Class, together with a body of evidence that showed read across to the CLS model.
They were duly issued with Type Approval for their bar onto the CLS. Subsequently every bar that Rameder sells comes with a Certificate of Conformity that provides traceability to that Type Approval.
Note Mercedes was not, to the best of my knowledge, involved in the process, though they may have provided some stress calcs to Rameder.
On to the XK8:
Jaguar Cars Limited when they sought EU Type Approval did not include a tow bar as one of the items on the build standard list, and unlike the E Class floor pan, the XK8’s floor pan is unique and I would venture to suggest that it was not designed to take the stresses imparted by a tow bar, and certainly not one which relies on a single point mounting as that American thing appears to do.
If Jaguar had intended the car to be capable of being equipped with a tow bar, do you not think that they would have added one to the options or accessories list? After all they're jolly keen to extract money from owners for every other branded toy and option. The fact that they did not must tell you something.
As someone has already pointed out, the requirement for towing couplings to be EU Type Approved was brought in some time in 1997, and applied to all vehicles registered new in the UK after that date. I think the legislation also applied to tow hitches on trailers etc.
Thereafter it is an offence under Construction and Use Regulations to use a vehicle first registered after 1997 with a tow coupling (and that includes the ball) which is not EU Type Approved.
Any eagle eyed copper or indeed VOSA (or whatever it now calls itself) inspector, of which there are now many since VOSA had to become financially self supporting, will know that any XK, other than a very early one, should not be fitted with a tow bar, or indeed towing.
If you have an accident or there’s other cause for your car to be inspected then you will be in for a whole world of pain if you fit that tow bar. Your insurance will almost certainly be invalid, and you know how keen insurance companies are to avoid paying out.
On the subject of inspection you might find that a sharp MoT tester picks you up for having it fitted and issues an advisory.
The reason that early XK8s could be fitted with and use a tow bar legally was that their date of first registration fell before the 1997 cut off date.
Despite what you say there is no grey area: it is quite straightforward.
I doubt you’re interested but based on the German Rameder CofC VOSA was happy that I could add an additional ‘VIN Plate’ to my CLS which quoted its new max train and max towing weights – neither of which of course was on Merc’s original plate.
My suspicion is that a tow bar combined with the nose weight of the trailer on the XK8 will certainly put you in excess of the Max Gross Weight of the vehicle, and you don't even have a max train weight, and possibly in excess of the rear axle weight limit.
By all means fit that tow bar to your 2001 car but at least now you know all the laws you’ll be breaking unless you do like Rameder and go and get EU Type Approval for your imported tow bar.
N.B. This may all change after Brexit!
Final note of caution: if you use that electrical kit, then based on a quick glance at the installation instructions I think that you may have problems because Jag switches both high side and low side on some circuits. Suggest you proceed carefully on that.
Mercedes are of the opinion that they don’t want people spoiling the aesthetic appeal of any car in their coupe range by using them as tow cars. Consequently, when applying for type approval, Merc does not include a tow bar amongst the items defined in the build standard.
(It’s an important but subtle point: the issue at stake is that of EU Type Approval, and not homolgation. The USA is not part of the EU so the rules on EU Type Approval do not apply there. I am unsure of whether the US has any similar rules about owners may fit to their cars.)
A large German company called Rameder sell tow bars, made to their specification by a Belgian company whose name I forget, but it isn’t germane to this issue.
Because the floor pan of the CLS is identical to that of the standard E Class saloon, Rameder went to the German Type Approval authority, armed with a sub set of the design data set for the E Class, together with a body of evidence that showed read across to the CLS model.
They were duly issued with Type Approval for their bar onto the CLS. Subsequently every bar that Rameder sells comes with a Certificate of Conformity that provides traceability to that Type Approval.
Note Mercedes was not, to the best of my knowledge, involved in the process, though they may have provided some stress calcs to Rameder.
On to the XK8:
Jaguar Cars Limited when they sought EU Type Approval did not include a tow bar as one of the items on the build standard list, and unlike the E Class floor pan, the XK8’s floor pan is unique and I would venture to suggest that it was not designed to take the stresses imparted by a tow bar, and certainly not one which relies on a single point mounting as that American thing appears to do.
If Jaguar had intended the car to be capable of being equipped with a tow bar, do you not think that they would have added one to the options or accessories list? After all they're jolly keen to extract money from owners for every other branded toy and option. The fact that they did not must tell you something.
As someone has already pointed out, the requirement for towing couplings to be EU Type Approved was brought in some time in 1997, and applied to all vehicles registered new in the UK after that date. I think the legislation also applied to tow hitches on trailers etc.
Thereafter it is an offence under Construction and Use Regulations to use a vehicle first registered after 1997 with a tow coupling (and that includes the ball) which is not EU Type Approved.
Any eagle eyed copper or indeed VOSA (or whatever it now calls itself) inspector, of which there are now many since VOSA had to become financially self supporting, will know that any XK, other than a very early one, should not be fitted with a tow bar, or indeed towing.
If you have an accident or there’s other cause for your car to be inspected then you will be in for a whole world of pain if you fit that tow bar. Your insurance will almost certainly be invalid, and you know how keen insurance companies are to avoid paying out.
On the subject of inspection you might find that a sharp MoT tester picks you up for having it fitted and issues an advisory.
The reason that early XK8s could be fitted with and use a tow bar legally was that their date of first registration fell before the 1997 cut off date.
Despite what you say there is no grey area: it is quite straightforward.
I doubt you’re interested but based on the German Rameder CofC VOSA was happy that I could add an additional ‘VIN Plate’ to my CLS which quoted its new max train and max towing weights – neither of which of course was on Merc’s original plate.
My suspicion is that a tow bar combined with the nose weight of the trailer on the XK8 will certainly put you in excess of the Max Gross Weight of the vehicle, and you don't even have a max train weight, and possibly in excess of the rear axle weight limit.
By all means fit that tow bar to your 2001 car but at least now you know all the laws you’ll be breaking unless you do like Rameder and go and get EU Type Approval for your imported tow bar.
N.B. This may all change after Brexit!
Final note of caution: if you use that electrical kit, then based on a quick glance at the installation instructions I think that you may have problems because Jag switches both high side and low side on some circuits. Suggest you proceed carefully on that.
It's not a grey area at all - our cars are not homologated to tow. Look on the VIN plate (sticker) and you will see the Gross Train Weight has no value on it, just a dash.
Zulu is more or less correct. The date was Vehicles manufactured in the UK after 1st August 1998 had to have Type approval. The Tow Ball itself is not regulated and is determined on the type of hitch / Standard or AL KO.The reason the earlier ones were produced was that there was no regulation linked to the vehicle manufacturer regarding towing weights or nose weights and Companies like Watling manufactured them to their own specifications. They are an extremely cautious establishment and would not have produced one if the vehicle could not take it.
Have a look at the fitting instructions, if you have to drill into the floorpan then you will need to have supporting plates sandwiching the floorpan to spread the load or you will just be asking for severe trouble. If my memory is correct I had to do this on my Rover 827 many years ago. You will have to be careful with the electrics too as you have a bulb failure system to contend with you will require a bulb failure bypass relay.
Roger
Have a look at the fitting instructions, if you have to drill into the floorpan then you will need to have supporting plates sandwiching the floorpan to spread the load or you will just be asking for severe trouble. If my memory is correct I had to do this on my Rover 827 many years ago. You will have to be careful with the electrics too as you have a bulb failure system to contend with you will require a bulb failure bypass relay.
Roger
OK Zulu & Nerja to myself it was a "grey area" because I could not find any info about it via the net as in the one made in the USA would have to pass some regulation or something, as for the electrics maybe I was not clear enough but I will be using bog standard UK stuff, Rchiv you are correct the kit does come with all strengthening pieces & hopefully by using the correct wiring kit the bulb failure should not be a problem. Homologation Nerja is one of those subjects much like how much road fund you have to pay for a identical car but 12 months younger (think you will know what I am getting at) It would be an interesting debate how two identical cars are covered by different laws just because of a date, homologated or not the car is in every way identical and would the engineers at Watling make a product that could endanger life .... I think not, with the laws in the USA and there love of going to court would Curt Manufacturing go to the expense of designing and producing a class 1 hitch with the possibility of a court case? Again I think not. Zulu you might be correct about brexit but that is something only time will tell. Russ
p.s. This is not something I wish to have an argument over just it would be good to know just how we stand over things like this, yes we can all go on about dates a law comes in and homologation but when they are identical objects (not just cars) why should a date make a difference ? Stands to reason and common sense that if the (in this case) car is the same in every way then what's the problem! ...... Are yes politics and what licenses have been paid. And that my friends is the way of life .... Has anyone paid the man?
p.s. This is not something I wish to have an argument over just it would be good to know just how we stand over things like this, yes we can all go on about dates a law comes in and homologation but when they are identical objects (not just cars) why should a date make a difference ? Stands to reason and common sense that if the (in this case) car is the same in every way then what's the problem! ...... Are yes politics and what licenses have been paid. And that my friends is the way of life .... Has anyone paid the man?
I take the hit about my incorrect date, but you're not correct about the tow ball: Directive 94/20/EC strictly defines it, and it accordingly it should be E marked by the approving nation although the idea is that all tow balls meet a common ICD thereby ensuring interoperability amongst different manufacturers' products.Zulu is more or less correct. The date was Vehicles manufactured in the UK after 1st August 1998 had to have Type approval. The Tow Ball itself is not regulated and is determined on the type of hitch / Standard or AL KO.The reason the earlier ones were produced was that there was no regulation linked to the vehicle manufacturer regarding towing weights or nose weights and Companies like Watling manufactured them to their own specifications. They are an extremely cautious establishment and would not have produced one if the vehicle could not take it.
Have a look at the fitting instructions, if you have to drill into the floorpan then you will need to have supporting plates sandwiching the floorpan to spread the load or you will just be asking for severe trouble. If my memory is correct I had to do this on my Rover 827 many years ago. You will have to be careful with the electrics too as you have a bulb failure system to contend with you will require a bulb failure bypass relay.
Roger
Totally agree about reinforcing the mounting points: we know from bitter experience that the floor pans of XK8s are made of tin foil.
It's a case of where you draw the line. A vehicle that is not manufactured with towing anything in mind as in the 1997 to those made from 1st August 1998 which must have a manufacturer type approved towbar. If the manufacturer does not rate the vehicle for towing then a towbar should not be fitted.
You could check with Jaguar to find out why they did not approve. Without that label it should fail an MOT as not being seen to be type approved for that vehicle.
Roger
You could check with Jaguar to find out why they did not approve. Without that label it should fail an MOT as not being seen to be type approved for that vehicle.
Roger
Zulu please take a look at my last post, as for any directives or E markings it's all a load of horse sh*t if the ball is not with the car. Russ :-D
It's going to be tricky to tow something if the ball isn't with the car. 
What are you planning on towing?
What are you planning on towing?
Nothing much just a 26ft power boat you know the sort of toy ....... oh and a 4 foot garden rubbish trailer . Russ :-D
Could I make a suggestion !
Buy yourself a good second hand XF and fit a towbar.
It would be self funding with the money you would save in fines and litigation costs.
Buy yourself a good second hand XF and fit a towbar.
It would be self funding with the money you would save in fines and litigation costs.
We have explained to you what the rules are.Zulu please take a look at my last post, as for any directives or E markings it's all a load of horse sh*t if the ball is not with the car. Russ :-D
Despite that you seem to continually talk about "homologation" and "Class 1". Neither of which is relevant in this context.
Since you're now resorting to profanity with regard to my posts, then as far as I'm concerned you're own your own!
Very true Jag75 but what fun would that be, I must admit I do like the XF and to get a supercharged one would have a nice turn of speed, I hear 70mph is possible on the open road :wink: But seriously that's a fine car, maybe having two Jaguars is the best answer as I do plan on keeping the XK8. RussCould I make a suggestion !
Buy yourself a good second hand XF and fit a towbar.
It would be self funding with the money you would save in fines and litigation costs.
Zulu the alleged "profanity" was not and is not in any way disrespectful to your post it was aimed at the stupid laws that we have to abide by. I am very sorry if you thought it was directed to you. One persons ideas and thoughts can be totally different to another persons, that can be a good base for a debate this unfortunately falls down when one side cannot take criticism about what they have said or indeed the subject they are defending, in your case the law and myself not agreeing with the law. Homologation and class 1 are extremely relevant in this context as it is all part of the question and the law. May I respectfully suggest you re read all the posts in this thread and think before you type ! I respect you have your own ideas I doubt you respect other people have ideas of there own unless of course they fall in line with yours. Unless you have something constructive to add to this thread please keep your ideas to yourself.We have explained to you what the rules are.
Despite that you seem to continually talk about "homologation" and "Class 1". Neither of which is relevant in this context.
Since you're now resorting to profanity with regard to my posts, then as far as I'm concerned you're own your own!
What is the weight of the power boat? My other car is a Shogun, rated to tow 3500Kg - that includes the trailer. This is the maximum you can tow with over run type brakes. Depending on the type of boat you have, you might already be over that weight limit. Personally I wouldn't attempt it with an illegal tow bar.Nothing much just a 26ft power boat you know the sort of toy ....... oh and a 4 foot garden rubbish trailer . Russ :-D
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