South-Auckland based tow bar manufacturer Best Bars says it has seen increasing sales of poor-quality bars – often not built to New Zealand standards.
The company says it has documented evidence of poor towbars being sold in New Zealand to unsuspecting vehicle owners, something general manager of sales and marketing for the company, John Frear, says they have laid ongoing complaints about.
“It is worrying, as we have complained for years about the NZ Standard that was supposed to have been adopted into legislation for towbar design, manufacture and fitment, but there has been no movement from lawmakers to protect the public by making this mandatory,” says Frear.
Research carried out by Best Bars some years ago showed evidence of at least a couple of thousand substandard towbars being fitted to New Zealand vehicles each year and Mr Frear says the situation has not changed.
“That’s many thousands more vehicles that are using our roads with potentially dangerous towbars, since we carried out that research.”
Common problems associated with poor towbars range from the use of thinner metals, inadequate fastenings, incorrect fitting and poor design.
All towbars must pass the prescribed NZ Standard (NZS5467), or the legislated Australian Standard (AS4177 & ADR62), along with any motor company specific tests that have been requested over and above this.
