Towing Again

[rovie]

View attachment 7824134View attachment 7824136View attachment 7824135

Looks very similar to one from here:

Tow ball 3,5t lowered, incl. 2- to 4-hole-adapter

Swan neck tow ball 3,5 t incl. adapter plate with adaptation from 2- to 4-hole mounting; especially compatible with simultaneous use of a hook type…

www.nakatanenga.de

Unfortunately not approved in Germany.

 

[Arkaig]

Unfortunately not approved in Germany.

@rovie Please explain further - I had thought that if it carried the requisite E-mark/s that it was fully approved throughout the EU.

 

[rovie]

@rovie Please explain further - I had thought that if it carried the requisite E-mark/s that it was fully approved throughout the EU.

@Arkaig no, unfortunately that is not the case. However, I can only speak for Germany. I cannot judge what the situation is like in other EU countries.
Last week I went to my dealer to discuss the height-adjustable tow ball on the vehicle.
In order to tow heavy trailers, usually with a double axle, the ball head would have to hang a little lower.
There is no official approval for a hitch other than the one offered by INEOS for the Grenadier.
Another customer has fitted the height-adjustable tow ball that I also have on the Defender (it is approved on this vehicle) to the Grenadier. If anything happens, he is liable for the damage himself, as there is no insurance cover any more.
I won't take that risk.
But maybe time will bring a solution. Perhaps expert opinions will be drawn up so that a lower coupling can be registered.

 

[Arkaig]

@rovie Thanks for that.

 

[Eric]

@rovie Please explain further - I had thought that if it carried the requisite E-mark/s that it was fully approved throughout the EU.

Abridged answer applicable to EU and UK,
Any appropriate E marked tow ball can be used with any N1 class vehicle.
Currently only tow ball that has type approval fitted to "that" vehicle can be used with a M1 vehicle. I understand that only the standard tow ball fitted by 2 x M16 bolts has type approval for the M1 class grenadier

 

[Arkaig]

Abridged answer applicable to EU and UK,
Any appropriate E marked tow ball can be used with any N1 class vehicle.
Currently only tow ball that has type approval fitted to "that" vehicle can be used with a M1 vehicle. I understand that only the standard tow ball fitted by 2 x M16 bolts has type approval for the M1 class grenadier

@Eric Thanks for the additional clarification - I'd forgotten that @rovie has a Trialmaster..

 

[rovie]

Abridged answer applicable to EU and UK,
Any appropriate E marked tow ball can be used with any N1 class vehicle.
Currently only tow ball that has type approval fitted to "that" vehicle can be used with a M1 vehicle. I understand that only the standard tow ball fitted by 2 x M16 bolts has type approval for the M1 class grenadier

Thank you @Eric for the accurate reference. I based my statement on my vehicle, as this is relevant to my requirement. It has an M1 registration. Sorry @Arkaig if I was not precise enough here.

 

[Eric]

@Eric Thanks for the additional clarification - I'd forgotten that @rovie has a Trialmaster..

A situation that really annoys me because the N1 and M1 are effectively the same vehicle and is a quirk in EU legislation

 

[rovie]

A situation that really annoys me because the N1 and M1 are effectively the same vehicle and is a quirk in EU legislation

Yes @Eric . That annoys me too! Bureaucracy everywhere!

 

[DCPU]

Abridged answer applicable to EU and UK,
Any appropriate E marked tow ball can be used with any N1 class vehicle.
Currently only tow ball that has type approval fitted to "that" vehicle can be used with a M1 vehicle. I understand that only the standard tow ball fitted by 2 x M16 bolts has type approval for the M1 class grenadier

I don't believe this is correct.

For an N1 vehicle you can fit what you like there's no requirement to fit a type approved E marked tow bar.

For M1 it does have to be type approved; but not for "that" vehicle.

Towbar EC Type Approval - Towsure UK

Supplying the UK's caravan and camping enthusiasts with towbars and trailers, caravan and campervan awnings, family tents and camping accessories. Trusted since 1967 Towsure is your go-to store for all your caravanning and campsite equipment, outdoor clothing and leisure, with shops in Sheffield...

www.towsure.com

European type approval 94/20/EC | NTTA

Towbars & European Type Approval 94/20/EC

www.ntta.co.uk

 

[DCPU]

There is no official approval for a hitch other than the one offered by INEOS for the Grenadier.

When you say "one", there are actually two (three if you count the NATO hitch) for European vehicles [so leaving aside any US/Oz/RoW alternatives].

Edit: Four ~ I forgot the ball jaw combo hitch...

 

[rovie]

When you say "one", there are actually two (three if you count the NATO hitch) for European vehicles [so leaving aside any US/Oz/RoW alternatives].

I meant one for M1.

 

[DCPU]

I meant one for M1.

The 2" receiver drop hitch I have on mine came off an M1. It's type approved.

We discussed it's merits/legalities earlier in this thread:

Post in thread 'Towing Again' https://www.theineosforum.com/threads/towing-again.12411575/post-1333178621

 

[rovie]

The 2" receiver drop hitch I have on mine came off an M1. It's type approved.

We discussed it's merits/legalities earlier in this thread:

Post in thread 'Towing Again' https://www.theineosforum.com/threads/towing-again.12411575/post-1333178621

I could only select the standard tow ball when configuring my Trialmaster. I would have liked to have the combined trailer hitch. But that was only possible for the Utility in the configurator. My dealer confirmed this to me again last week.

 

[DCPU]

He's day off on Wednesdays, Dan Bowdler there is looking in to it and will call me back. I will post here as soon as he does and tell him there are others who want them to.
Is as I suspect the E11 type approval number on DCPUs one ends in a 6 the they are good for all versions of the Grenny.

Did you get anywhere with this?

 

[DCPU]

I could only select the standard tow ball when configuring my Trialmaster. I would have liked to have the combined trailer hitch. But that was only possible for the Utility in the configurator. My dealer confirmed this to me again last week.

Yep ~ I don't think this was available when any of us were ordering in Europe, but it's definitely there now as a parts order.

I know nothing about German towing law, but this has full European type approval.?

 

[rovie]

Yep ~ I don't think this was available when any of us were ordering in Europe, but it's definitely there now as a parts order.

I know nothing about German towing law, but this has full European type approval.?

Interesting. That was not clear to me and as I suspect my dealer. This helps me with my agricultural trailers, but not with regard to height adjustment for a 2-axle trailer.

 

[Eric]

I don't believe this is correct.

For an N1 vehicle you can fit what you like there's no requirement to fit a type approved E marked tow bar.

For M1 it does have to be type approved; but not for "that" vehicle

Sorry by "that" I meant model of vehicles. For example the jaguar f type convertible and fiat 124 spider do not have type approval for any tow bar and hence can't be used for towing

 

[DCPU]

Interesting. That was not clear to me and as I suspect my dealer. This helps me with my agricultural trailers, but not with regard to height adjustment for a 2-axle trailer.

Yes, not height adjustment in terms of being adjustable for different heights, but in terms of getting it down to make a 2 axle trailer a reasonable towing proposition, it's a big step forward.

This is mine on the drop hitch:

 

[PBD]

Did you get anywhere with this?

If you mean did I get the detachable version, then yes been using it for a few months. Spot on for my caravan and trailer.