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        General >> Parts Wanted >> Towbar needed urgently
        
(Message started by: Scorp_Kev on Apr 30^th, 2012, 11:47am)

Title: Towbar needed urgently
Post by Scorp_Kev on Apr 30^th, 2012, 11:47am

Hi all. I am in desperate need of a towbat for the ultima saloon facelift model. I only need a cheapo to collect a couple of cars from midlands to the south using a dolly. If anyone has a chepo one, please let me know. Thanks

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by PJDavis on Apr 30^th, 2012, 12:32pm

This guy has had this for sale for ages. I was going to buy it but got a new one. It looks like the right bar for our cars.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOWBAR-CAME-FORD-SCORPIO-ULTIMA-SALOON-/320897059743?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Touring_Travel&hash=item4ab6f48b9f#ht_500wt_1202

Unfortunately Dunkeswell is about 150 miles South of Brum. You would struggle to get a carrier to lift it!

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by Scorp_Kev on Apr 30^th, 2012, 1:12pm

Just mailed him to see if he could courier it to me. He says he is Honiton. Devon ???

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by PJDavis on Apr 30^th, 2012, 2:09pm

Aye, Honiton is right beside Dunkeswell.

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by Baz on May 8^th, 2012, 10:09pm

Kev.....

If your car is an S Registered facelift car; the towbar must be a type approved unit and not just a "normal" towbar.

All cars registered after 1st August 1998 had to be fitted with type approved towbars. Problem was that with the Scorpio being discontinued, many maufacturers didn't bother seeking type approval with the exception of Brink. I had one on my S Reg and they are very expensive in comparisson to one for a Scorpio regstered before 1st Aug 1998.

It would invalidate your insurance if there were any issues with the car and any trailer.

Baz

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by gozz on May 8^th, 2012, 11:38pm

Very true Baz,but I would expect more of an issue with what the towbar is attached to than the bar itself.Legislation apart,anyone with the slightest vestige of mechanical nous will be well aware of whether or not the tackle is capable of doing the job.It would not bother me a jot,after all if we looked for problems anywhere we would find some negative nonsense,there are jobsworths and Job's comforters lurking around every corner to rain on our parade 8)
GOZZ.

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by PJDavis on May 11^th, 2012, 9:56am

My Scorpio is registered on the 1st of August 1998. I'm not sure how the legislation is exactly worded, or if there's room for flexibility. So, I contacted my insurance company and told them about fitting a tow-bar and what was their thoughts on type-approval. Baring in mind that insurance companies will never give you a straight answer, they replied by email saying, seeing as the car was registered on the first of August it would be presumed that the car was manufactured well before so they wouldn't be perturbed that I hadn't used a 'Type-approved' tow-bar. I replied saying the car had been manufactured in July 1997 and was a 'pre-facelift' model. They said that all they would really be interested in were cars that were newer than August 1998, and even then, there would be individual cases to consider. I'm not a bit worried about having fitted a non-approved tow-bar, but that can only be seen as my opinion, I wouldn't like to influence anyone away from a point of law. In an extreme case I would stand up and quote my high Engineering qualifications. I know that my tow-bar has been put on in the correct way, using the correct material and bolts, and if pushed could sit-down and work-out shear forces and bending moments to prove it's adequacy.

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by Baz on May 12^th, 2012, 11:53am

Unfortunately the law is very clear.....

"The requirements became mandatory under European Law from the 1st January 1998 and were implemented in the UK on the 1st August 1998. This means only towbars Type Approved to 94/20 EC can be fitted to any light passenger vehicles first registered on or after 1st August 1998"

Have a look here:

http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/towbars/qualityStandards5.php#

it isn't just a bit of advice; it is law and if your car was registered on or after the 1st of August 1998 (irrespective of when it was manufactured) you are breaking the law by not having a type approved towbar fitted.

Personally I wouldn't risk it because if there is an accident and it is investigated and the cops get involved you will be prosecuted; regardless of what the insurance company may say.....they are not the law!!

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by Scorp_Kev on May 12^th, 2012, 12:06pm

Glad mine is June 1998, phew

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by PJDavis on May 12^th, 2012, 7:17pm

Turns out it's a 'Moot' point. My 'Towsure' towbar that I got for under £100 is manufactured to 94/20 EC. I've just contacted their chat on the website, and the guy I chatted to told me to look at the receipt and sure enough it tells me approved to EC94/20. Even on the Towsure web-site they say there tow-bars are all to that specification. So, no-worries!

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by 5stud on May 17^th, 2012, 12:28pm

that one on ebay wont fit the later scorpios with the larger dif mounts they beef up the side montings to compensate.if you still whont one i will take one off the facelit thats going banger racing

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by Scorp_Kev on May 17^th, 2012, 12:34pm

Now you tell me after I have bought it and given it a quick coat of Hammerite. Looks like a trip to Yeovil for me then. Cheers 5 if you could do that for me. How much. Kev

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by PJDavis on May 17^th, 2012, 2:12pm

So, the one on ebay must have the 'One-Piece' - 'U' section that bolts up to the diff? If so, Kev' is right it won't fit the later models. I had to fit the 3 separate pieces that go-on to the diff mountings.

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by Scorp_Kev on May 17^th, 2012, 2:23pm

I will photgraph it and put the pics on here and be guided as to whether or not it will fit my facelift.. If I can remember how to do it, LOL

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by PJDavis on May 17^th, 2012, 3:48pm

Do that. Get close without blurring to the bit that fits onto the diff.

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by Scorp_Kev on May 17^th, 2012, 4:42pm

Here are the pics...

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k577/Scorp_Kev/Towbar/DSCF1771.jpg

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k577/Scorp_Kev/Towbar/DSCF1772.jpg

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k577/Scorp_Kev/Towbar/DSCF1774.jpg

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k577/Scorp_Kev/Towbar/DSCF1775.jpg

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k577/Scorp_Kev/Towbar/DSCF1777.jpg

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k577/Scorp_Kev/Towbar/DSCF1780.jpg

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k577/Scorp_Kev/Towbar/DSCF1782.jpg

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by PJDavis on May 17^th, 2012, 10:01pm

Oh Dear! It has the one-piece diff' bracket, it won't go on the later Scorpio. You can probably use the whole bar if you un-bolt the Diff' bracket and use the bits from 5studs tow-bar if it's the same design which I think they all are.
Peter

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by 5stud on May 18^th, 2012, 12:48am

i will get big tony to take it off before it goes on do you whont anything off it before it goes to the banger boys

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by Baz on May 18^th, 2012, 8:20pm

The BRINK removeable I had on mine didn't go anywhere near the diff. It had a cross member behind the bumper and two irons which replaced the bumper brackets and ran up inside the chassis legs. This was then bolted through the chassis and into the boot onto big plates....

Took a while to fit even with a proper ramp!!

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by 5stud on May 18^th, 2012, 9:19pm

thats like the one toney just taken of ther is no bar going to the dif. its also bolted trough the standard towing eye so a very stong bar you still intrested kev you have a p-m

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by 5stud on May 20^th, 2012, 12:17am

bump bump you have a pm kev

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by 5stud on May 20^th, 2012, 8:46am

no kev its totaley dierent to the one you have.hasent got a bar going back to the diff.in the photographs i dont see the brakits to replace the standard bumper monting ore perhaps he sold them with the bumper

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by 5stud on May 24^th, 2012, 9:23am

do you still whont the bumper that i have taker off fore you kev ???

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by Scorp_Kev on May 24^th, 2012, 11:56am

Yes please. I am sorry but did not understand. I thought you meant that the one you had was the same as mine. I will try to get down early next week if thats OK. Cheers, Kev

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by 5stud on May 26^th, 2012, 9:20am

just give us a pm when you whont to pick it up

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by 5stud on Jun 10^th, 2012, 6:53pm

i prusume that you nolonger nead the towbar ase you are trying to sell the scorpio kev

Title: Re: Towbar needed urgently
Post by Scorp_Kev on Jun 10^th, 2012, 7:00pm

Oops sorry about that. I do apologise. It slipped my mind with lots going on at the moment. You should get rid of easy, I hope. Cheers anyway 5