Bobinet Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 (edited) b Edited March 26, 2010 by Bobinet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee E Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Hi allI am completely new to caravanning and just got my caravan a few hours ago. When I was being instructed and checked with my car, all indicator lights were working fine but not the reverse lights on the caravan. I bought a mondeo last week and had a witter tow bar fitted with al ko ball. I was told by the representative that it is not a legal requirement that the caravan reverse lights work. is that so? Thank you Bobby It is legal and you dont need the reverse light on the van (though god knows why). If you want to get your car to power the: 1. Reversing light 2. Caravan fridge and 3. Charge your caravan battery whilst towing then you will need to fit the grey (12S i think) socket to your car. some might do it themselves but i would get it done by a autoelectrician (especially on newer cars with the fancy electronics). Regards Lee Quote Please note that my opinions stated are those of an enthusiast not an expert and humble at that 2006 Hyundai Sante Fe towing a Coachman Vision 580/5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RADIOTWO Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Hi allI am completely new to caravanning and just got my caravan a few hours ago. When I was being instructed and checked with my car, all indicator lights were working fine but not the reverse lights on the caravan. I bought a mondeo last week and had a witter tow bar fitted with al ko ball. I was told by the representative that it is not a legal requirement that the caravan reverse lights work. is that so? Thank you Bobby Hi Bob, They were right it is not a legal requirement, but has the car been wired correctly or at all, and don't forget if you have the the two 7 pin sockets the reverse is in the 12S Radiotwo Quote Steve - Land Cruiser Amazon Auto + Pageant Series 5 Champagne The match between car and caravan is perfect in accordance with a mix of European standards. However, according to the British Towing Code the percentage (loaded caravan / kerbweight tow car) is 49%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samnjan Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 I have been informed that if lights are fitted to any road vehicle they must be in working order. My caravan does not have reversing lights fitted so that is legal Quote Hyundai Terracan pulling a Burstner Trecento 530 easilyI thought I saw a light at the end of the tunnel, but it was somone with a torch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy B Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 (edited) I have been informed that if lights are fitted to any road vehicle they must be in working order. My caravan does not have reversing lights fitted so that is legal Not even reverse lights fitted to your car are MOTable, neither are front fogs, both are lights fitted to your car that aren't a legal requirement & so don't have to work, not even advisory . MOT testers manual Edited March 17, 2009 by Andy B Quote Lunar Delta 520/2 towed by Omega 3. 0 Elite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doganboncu Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Hi, I beleive reversing lights on the caravan is very useful. It is the only way I can see what's behind the caravan while reversing in dark. Also my wife outside, while helping me reversing make alot use of it especially when entered a site at night and placing the van among threes. Cheers, Dogan Quote Dogan Boncu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerL Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 --> QUOTE(Andy B @ Mar 17 2009, 10:52 PM) 239619[/snapback] Not even reverse lights fitted to your car are MOTable, neither are front fogs, both are lights fitted to your car that aren't a legal requirement & so don't have to work, not even advisory . MOT testers manual That confirms my belief that only obligatory lights are required to be working - optional lights aren't illegal if not working for any reason - why some police officers persist with this myth, I'm not sure - I guess they're only human after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedNewman Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 QUOTE(Andy B @ Mar 17 2009, 10:52 PM) 239619[/snapback]Not even reverse lights fitted to your car are MOTable, neither are front fogs, both are lights fitted to your car that aren't a legal requirement & so don't have to work, not even advisory . MOT testers manual That confirms my belief that only obligatory lights are required to be working - optional lights aren't illegal if not working for any reason - why some police officers persist with this myth, I'm not sure - I guess they're only human after all. There are exceptions (I am told by MOT man) for instance the high level brake light on my MGF is optional - so if not fitted it is not an MOT fail BUT if fitted it must work and if it doesn't then it is an MOT fail! Quote Discovery 4 XS SDV6 and Airstream 532 plus 1996 MGF owned since new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian dunning Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 (edited) Hi, I beleive reversing lights on the caravan is very useful. It is the only way I can see what's behind the caravan while reversing in dark. Also my wife outside, while helping me reversing make alot use of it especially when entered a site at night and placing the van among threes. Cheers, Dogan Hi Dogan, Thay also give an indication, to pedestrians and other vehicles, that the vehicle is about to start to reverse, if not already doing so, Regards, Ian. Edited March 18, 2009 by ian dunning Quote Bailey Unicorn Vigo and a 2017 Ford S Max and a Mercedes SLK AMG Sport 9 speed, my mid life crisis solver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beejay Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 --> QUOTE(Andy B @ Mar 17 2009, 10:52 PM) 239619[/snapback] Not even reverse lights fitted to your car are MOTable, neither are front fogs, both are lights fitted to your car that aren't a legal requirement & so don't have to work, not even advisory . MOT testers manual There are some legal requirements for reverse lights, if fittted. Maximum of two with maximum 21 watt bulbs. If not automatically switched by engaging reverse gear then a warning lamp must be fitted. But the MoT doesn't apply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeB Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Andy B, They may not be a testable item, but the construction & use regs state that if a lamp is fitted to a vehicle (& a trailer/caravan for these purposes is classed as a vehicle) it must work! Therefore, if they're fitted, they must work! Quote GeorgeB Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult When I said I was normal. .....maybe I exaggerated somewhat! Skoda Superb MK3 190ps DSG 4X4 estate closely followed by a Swift Challenger 580 Alde Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy B Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Andy B, They may not be a testable item, but the construction & use regs state that if a lamp is fitted to a vehicle (& a trailer/caravan for these purposes is classed as a vehicle) it must work! Therefore, if they're fitted, they must work! So if you only have a 12N socket on your car, you're be breaking the law or OK if the lamp does actually work but isn't operated by the car? What about the 'spare' fog light at the back near side of some cars that's not wired up at the factory? Are they ilegal too? Quote Lunar Delta 520/2 towed by Omega 3. 0 Elite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobinet Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 (edited) b Edited March 26, 2010 by Bobinet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikecandsarahb Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 a car by law has to have one fog light fitted to the rear and it is part of the MOT, but only if the car was made after 1980 i think it said, as for caravans they are not law but are advisable, and reverse lights are not really needed, just use your hazard lights and position yourself so the people behind can figure what you doing, (some are still thick mind and wont notice) get it all the time in the lorry, mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerL Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 a car by law has to have one fog light fitted to the rear and it is part of the MOT, but only if the car was made after 1980 i think it said, as for caravans they are not law but are advisable, and reverse lights are not really needed, just use your hazard lights and position yourself so the people behind can figure what you doing, (some are still thick mind and wont notice) get it all the time in the lorry, mike Trailers built after the same date also have to have a fog light fitted - but there is a specific exemption whereby earlier cars with more recent trailers and recent cars with earlier trailers are not required to have an operational foglight on the trailer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikecandsarahb Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 thank you roger i didnt know that, will bear it in mind, mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikecandsarahb Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 is there any certain sizes that dont need one, just wondering because my small trailer i brought last year does not have one fitted? mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerL Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 is there any certain sizes that dont need one, just wondering because my small trailer i brought last year does not have one fitted? mike Possibly - trailers that are narrower than the car or project less than a small defined amount have to meet a different set of lighting regulations - although this might technically apply in the case of a Landcruiser Amazon towing an Eriba Puck, all caravans are built with lighting to permit unlimited projection beyond the towcar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beejay Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Andy B, They may not be a testable item, but the construction & use regs state that if a lamp is fitted to a vehicle (& a trailer/caravan for these purposes is classed as a vehicle) it must work! Therefore, if they're fitted, they must work! Only if they are required by the C & U Regs. You can fit fifty reverse lamps if you wish but only the two, legally mounted, lamps are allowed to be operable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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