Installation of traction coupling device (TCC) on the car is often perceived by owners as a simple mechanical operation that does not require paperwork. However, according to the current technical regulations of the Customs Union, any interference with the design of the vehicle, affecting its weight or overall characteristics, formally requires documentary evidence of safety. This is where the term comes into being. vehicle type approvalIt scares many car enthusiasts with its complexity and bureaucracy.
The situation on the market is heterogeneous: some sellers claim that their farcope certificates are not needed, while others issue a pile of documents, claiming that this is complete legalization. It's important to understandThe legal validity of the paper depends on who issued it and on the basis of what tests. If you plan not just to carry a bike in the trunk, but to tow a trailer or camper, the issue of your car’s compliance with safety requirements comes to the fore.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what is the type approval procedure, in which cases it is really necessary, and when you can get by with a standard certificate of conformity. You will learn how not to fall into the trap of unscrupulous installers and what documents must be in your hands when communicating with the traffic police inspector.
Legal aspects of TSU installation: when type approval is required
The main document regulating the safety of wheeled vehicles is the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union TR CU 018/2011. According to its provisions, the installation of the farcop is considered a change in design only if this option was not provided by the manufacturer for a particular model of the car. If the documents on the machine (PTS, STS, OTT) indicate the possibility of installing TSU, the procedure is simplified to a minimum.
Approval of a vehicle type (OTT) is a document confirming that the model of the car as a whole meets all safety requirements. In the appendix to the OTTS there is always a list of additional equipment allowed for installation. If there is a farcope code or a link to the possibility of its installation, you do not need to undergo complex tests. It is enough to have a certificate of conformity for the farcope itself.
⚠️ Note: If in the column "Special marks" of your STS or in the annex to the GTS is a dash or the phrase "the installation of additional equipment is not provided", formally installation of the farcop requires examination and obtaining a certificate of safety of the structure (SBKTS).
However, in practice there is a nuance. Many modern cars are certified with the ability to install a TSU, but a particular modification may not have factory mounting points. In this case, it is not necessary to complete the type approval (which costs a lot of money and time), but single-vehicle test or use a component certificate (porchop) that has already been tested for compatibility with your car model.
- 🚗 Check the PTS: if the numbers are in the column "Mass of the towed trailer", the plant has already approved the presence of a farcope.
- 📄 Ask the dealer: the official representative can issue a certificate that this model structurally allows the installation of TSU.
- 🔍 Study the VIN code: it can be accurately determined whether your car left the conveyor with preparation for the farcop.
Thus, the key point is not so much the presence of the farcop itself, as its compliance with a specific modification of the car, recorded in factory documents. If such a record is available, the procedure for obtaining an "approval" is reduced to the purchase of a certified product.
Difference between the OTT, SBTS and the certificate of conformity
Motorists often confuse the three main documents, which leads to problems when registering or passing a check-in. OTTS (Vehicle Type Approval) is a document for the model of the car as a whole that is received by the manufacturer or importer. The owner of the machine can not get the OTT on their own, this is the prerogative of the manufacturer.
SBCTs (Vehicle Design Safety Certificate) is the document that is required if you make design changes that are not provided for by the OTC. To obtain SBKTS, the car must undergo laboratory tests in an accredited center. This is an expensive and lengthy procedure, including checking the brakes, stability and strength of the anchorages.
The third document is Certificate of Conformity (EAC). It is issued on the farcop itself as a separate technical component. This document indicates for which models of cars this farcop is suitable. The presence of such a certificate on hand (in a copy certified by the seller) is often a sufficient reason for the traffic police inspector not to ask questions, provided that the installation is made in regular places.
It is important to distinguish between these concepts. The requirement to provide a "type approval" from the owner of the car is legally incorrect, as the owner is not a manufacturer. You may be required to confirm that the installed farcop is allowed for your model. This confirmation is a bundle: Certificate for farcop + Record in the OTTS of the car (or certificate from the plant).
| Document | Who's giving it away? | What is it? | Needs a proprietor. |
|---|---|---|---|
| OTTS | Rosstandart (at the factory) | Model model of the car | Indirectly (as a basis) |
| SBCTs | Test laboratory | Specific vehicle with modifications | Yes, unless there is factory training. |
| EAC Certificate | Certification body | Farkop (TSU) | Yeah, the copy's always in the glove compartment. |
Thus, the owner’s task is to collect a package of documents proving that the installed equipment is safe and compatible with his machine. In 90% of cases, for passenger cars, a high-quality certificate for TSU is enough.
The procedure of legalization of farcope without factory training
If the documents on the car do not say a word about the farcop, and the mounting points are absent or they need to be drilled, you fall into the risk zone. Technically, it's a design change. To legalize such a farcop, it is necessary to undergo the procedure of preliminary technical examination. This is the first stage of getting it. SBCTs.
The owner applies to the testing laboratory with a statement. Experts are studying the design of the car and the alleged farcope. They give an opinion on the possibility of making changes. Only after that is the installation done. It is important that the installation is performed by professionals, the act of work performed. Homemade "amplifiers" or welded structures are almost impossible to legalize.
☑️ Stages of legalization of changes
After installation, the laboratory testing stage follows. The car is driven to the stand, check the operation of lighting devices (if the wiring has changed), assess the strength of the mounting with a breather to the frame or spars. If all parameters are normal, the laboratory will give Design safety certificate. With this document and application, the owner goes to the traffic police to make changes to the registration data.
⚠️ Note: The procedure for obtaining SBKTS can cost from 30 to 100 thousand rubles and take several weeks. For simple farcopes on popular cars, this is economically inexpedient. It is easier to find a TSU model that has a certificate of conformity for your machine.
There is a simplified way. If you buy a farcop that explicitly states your VIN or car model in the certificate of conformity, and the design involves installation without drilling (or in regular holes), many laboratories are ready to issue a safety report without full crash tests, based on the manufacturer's documentation.
Requirements for the construction and installation of traction coupling devices
The safety of towing depends not only on the paper, but also on the physics of the process. The farcope must withstand vertical load on the ball (usually 50-100 kg) and horizontal force during the jerk. Mounting points should fall on the power elements of the body - spars or special reinforced seats. Installation on splashers or thin metal floor is strictly prohibited and dangerous.
Particular attention is paid to electrical wiring. Connection must be made through a smart connection, especially on multiplexed vehicles. Directly slamming into the circuit can cause electronic control units (ECUs) to burn, which automatically removes the car from the warranty and creates a fire hazard situation. All joints must be insulated and protected from moisture.
Why is the farcope class important?
The farcope class (A, H, S, V) determines the type of ball and the maximum load. For example, the class A (50 mm ball) is the most common for passenger cars. Using an inappropriate class can cause the coupling to break on the go.
The height of the traction hook is also regulated. It shall not exceed the height of the axis of the trailer wheels by more than 10% (usually 350-420 mm from the ground). The wrong height leads to the fact that the trailer begins to "wag" on the road, creating an emergency situation. After installation, it is recommended to check the horizontality of the trailer platform.
- 🔩 Fastening: Use only high-strength bolts (Class 8.8 and above) that come with the kit.
- ⚡ Electricity: Safety locks must be installed in the trailer light supply chains.
- 🛡️ Protection: It is desirable to have a protective cap on the ball, so as not to damage clothes and hands.
The quality of the materials is equally important. Cheap Chinese counterparts are often made of soft metal, which deforms under load. Certified products are tested for fatigue strength, which guarantees their reliability for years.
Documents for the traffic police and interaction with the inspector
When the inspector stops the traffic police, the main question usually concerns the availability of documents for installed equipment. You do not need to carry the original HTC plant (this is impossible), but a copy of the certificate of conformity to the farcop must be. It is best to keep in the glove compartment a certified copy of the certificate and the installation certificate (if any).
If the PTS in the column "Special marks" does not say anything about the farcope, and the inspector shows excessive interest, refer to the Technical Regulations. If the farcop is certified for your model and installed in regular places without violating the design, this is not a change that requires registration. However, if the inspector writes out a protocol, it is better to challenge it with your hands. Preliminary examination or official certificate from the dealer.
Make a color copy of the certificate for the farcop and laminate it. Carry in the car with the insurance policy – it will save time when communicating with the police.
If you still passed the full procedure of legalization through the laboratory and received SBKTS, do not forget to contact the traffic police within 10 days to make changes to the STS. The new certificate will show the presence of TSU. This will eliminate any issues in the future, such as when selling a car.
The inspector can check the number of the farcope stamped on the metal and check it with the number in the certificate. Make sure the label is readable and not painted over with anti-cores. The lack of marking on the product itself is the sure way to a fine and a requirement to dismantle the equipment.
Frequent errors in design and installation
One of the most common mistakes is to buy a “universal” farcope without being tied to a car model. Sellers can claim that “it will fit all”, but the certificate will indicate a wide list by comma. If your model is not there, legally this farcop is not certified for you. Always look for your car in the applicability certificate list.
The second mistake is ignoring the need to flash the onboard computer. Many modern cars (VAG, BMW, Mercedes) require activation of the towing function through the porch after installation. OBD-II scanner. Without this, the system may give errors about network congestion or the stabilization system (ESP) incorrectly works when driving with the trailer.
⚠️ Warning: The installation of a farcop overriding the license plate or lights is prohibited. If the TSU closes the number, you will need to install an additional space for the number and turntable repeater on the trailer or transition plate.
The third mistake is saving on electricians. The slinging of tape in modern machines is unacceptable. Oxidation of contacts leads to the failure of stop signals, which is one of the frequent causes of accidents. Use only specialized connectors Rosette 7 pin or 13 pin With proper sealing.
Owners often forget about the speed limit. Even if the farcop is worth it, but the trailer is not connected, the presence of protruding parts may require a decrease in speed according to traffic rules (although this is rarely applicable for removable balls, non-removable structures formally change dimensions).
The safest and cheapest way is to buy a farcope that has a valid certificate of conformity for your model and year of release, with installation in a specialized center.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Do I need to register the farcop in the traffic police if it is removable?
Formally, if the farcop is certified as part of the vehicle equipment (there is a GTC) or has a certificate of conformity for your model, registration of changes is not required, regardless of whether it is removable or not. However, if the inspector considers that the design has been changed, the presence of a certificate on hand will solve the issue.
Can I get a fine for not having a mark in the PTS about the farcope?
Yes, Article 12.5 part 1 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation (500 rubles) can be applied if the farcop is installed in violation of safety requirements or does not correspond to the model of the car. If you have a certificate for TSU and it is installed correctly, the fine can be appealed, but you will lose time.
What if the manufacturer is bankrupt and does not give a certificate?
In this case, only individual examination in an accredited laboratory (obtaining SBKTS) will help. The laboratory will conduct measurements and tests, confirming the safety of the installation, and on the basis of this you will be able to legalize the farcop in the traffic police.
Does the car insurance affect the car warranty?
If the installation is made in a certified center, using regular seats and without interference with the regular wiring (the approval unit is used), the warranty for the car is maintained. However, if the "brain" burns out due to improper connection, the warranty for the electrician will be denied.