EC Towball Rating Explaination?

[JohnW]

OK, I've just been sold a towbar with a rating exceeding the towball they sent with it -
According to the regs: EC/94/20, Mr. plod can come along and nick me for using the lower rated towball.

There is an S and a D rating.

Does anyone know the formula or meaning of the S rating?

Rumour has it that the D rating is allegedly calculated thus:
D= (GVW X GTW)/(GVW+GTW) X 9.81/1000 (gravity) = kN

Working the figures through though, I reckon it's out by a factor of about 10,000!.....

Help!

[Bush Tucker Man]

If it's got a gold passivated finish, these are the 'legally' allowable ones for a post 1st August 1998 vehicle, it's all to do with Type Approval.

Prior to that the standard silver ones are 'above board'

The Dixon-Bate 'Pinball Wizard' is fine at any age.

[Otter]

My vote goes to the Pin Ball Wizard any day. Doubles up as a rear recovery point!

[Bush Tucker Man]

I'll agree with you wholeheartedly 'Otter'.
It also works well with a Winterhoff stabiliser (as you know)
The only problem is the slight differance in height to a standard ball due to the slight rise in the upper casting

I occasionally borrow a trailer with a 50mm eye coupling, so it sees use there as well.