Free towbar checks at 2008 National Boat, Caravan & Outdoor Show

Free checks on towbar systems will be offered to visitors at the 2008 Boat, Caravan & Outdoor Show by Towequipe, one of the largest suppliers of Bosal towbars in the UK.

The company is also offering a towbar fitting service at the show at a discounted rate together with free show tickets for those who book in advance. To book either a safety check or a towbar fitting you will need to visit the Towequipe stand number 5335 in Hall 5. Advance bookings can be made by calling 0800 0430042.

The National Boat, Caravan & Outdoor Show takes place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham between 19th and 24th February. The show opens each day between 10.00am and 6.00pm. Tickets can be booked on-line by visiting www.boatandcaravan.co.uk

Similar checks carried out at last year’s show found that some 25% of towbar systems required rectification for potentially dangerous safety faults. According to Towequipe managing director Andrew Rowson a high percentage of towbar fitting bolts had not been checked for tightness – an important and regular safety requirement.

“We also found a couple of towbars with major faults such as missing components. The dangers of this are very worrying with ultimately the caravan or trailer potentially breaking loose from the towing vehicle.”

The towbar checks are again being sponsored by Bosal, now Europe’s largest towbar manufacturer. Previous checks have revealed that some self-fitted towbars had not been installed by customers according to the manufacturer’s fitting instructions with other towbars incorrectly fitted by inexperienced retailers.

Peter Redgate, Bosal’s sales and marketing director, says: “Self-fitting a towbar is a good way for people to make a saving but it is vital that all equipment is installed to the manufacturer’s instructions. The towbar is a safety critical item; correct installation is therefore essential in order for it to be safe, comply with the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications and meet the type approval awarded to the towbar.

“Whilst a towbar does not require servicing we do recommend that it be checked after the first 1000 miles and once a year thereafter to ensure it continues to meet the manufacturer’s specifications. Many consumers do not realise that it is important that their towbar is checked to ensure bolts have not worked loose.

“When choosing a company to carry out a towbar fitment you should ensure that they have experience in doing this type of work and check to see if they are a member of the NTTA (National Trailer and Towing Association) www.NTTA.co.uk, or better still, like Towequipe, are part of the NTTA’s Quality Secured scheme, members of which have to abide by a particular standard and code of conduct.”