Installation of the farcop with your own hands: is it permissible and necessary to register

Many car owners planning to transport trailers, bicycles or snowmobiles are wondering about the possibility of self-assembling a traction coupling device. It is a logical desire to save money on services of service centers, however in the field of automotive equipment, savings do not always go hand in hand with safety and legality. Installation of the farcope This is not just a string of iron to the body, but an interference with the design of the vehicle, which has its legal and technical consequences.

In the current realities of Russian legislation, the answer to the question of the admissibility of self-assembly cannot be an unequivocal “yes” or “no”. It all depends on whether the device is certified specifically for your model of the car and how it will be documented. If you decide to simply weld a handicraft structure or screw a universal farcop without taking into account the requirements of the manufacturer, GABD This may be regarded as a change in the design of the vehicle with all the ensuing sanctions.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the legal subtleties, technical nuances of choosing a TSU and the procedure that will allow you to avoid problems with the law. The key factor of legality is the availability of a certificate of conformity TR CU 018/2011 for your model of the car. Understanding these differences will save you nerves, money and time in the future.

Legislative aspects and requirements of TR CU 018/2011

The main document regulating the safety of wheeled vehicles is the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union. TR CU 018/2011. According to paragraph 7.18 of Annex No. 1, making changes to the design of the car without the permission of the traffic police is prohibited. However, there are exceptions that allow the legalization of the farcop without lengthy approval procedures in testing laboratories.

If your car manufacturer provides the possibility of installing a traction coupling device, and you purchase a certified kit specially designed for your model, then formally this is not considered a change in design. In this case, it is enough to have on your hands. passport The Porcelain and Certificate of Conformity. These documents must be certified by the seller's seal and contain information that the TSU is allowed to operate on the vehicle of your model.

⚠️ Note: If the documents on the car (SBKTS or PTS) in the column "Special marks" is a record that "the installation of traction coupling device is not provided", even the presence of a certificate for the farcrep may not save you from problems when registering changes. In this case, changes to the design are required through an accredited laboratory.

Self-assembly in this context implies that you physically install the device with your own hands, but legally rely on factory certification of the kit. If you make a farcrep yourself in garage conditions or buy a universal model without reference to a specific VIN code or model of the car, such a design will require mandatory examination and registration with the traffic police as an individual change in design.

Criteria for the selection of certified equipment

The first step to a successful and legitimate installation is to choose the right equipment. The market offers a variety of options, from cheap Chinese counterparts to expensive original systems. For self-installation without subsequent bureaucracy with laboratories, you need to look for a TSU that has a scalable system. certificate. Without this paper confirmation, any inspector has the right to issue a fine and demand dismantling.

Pay attention to the type of attachment. For modern cars, removable systems (horizontal or vertical removable) are most common, which allow you to dismantle the hook when it is not needed. This is not only aesthetic, but also practical, as it reduces the risk of theft and does not interfere with parking in the back. It is also important to take into account the maximum load: vertical (per ball) and horizontal (trailer weight). These parameters should not exceed the values specified in the instructions for the operation of your car.

• 🚗 Body type: sedans and hatchbacks often require special remote brackets to the ball does not rest on the bumper.
• 🔌 Electric: Choose kits with a specific connector (usually 7-pin or 13-pin) and a ready-made wiring harness for your model.
• 📄 Documentation: The package must be an instruction in Russian and a copy of the certificate.

When buying, be sure to check the VIN code of your car with the list of models in the certificate. Some TSU manufacturers issue universal certificates for a group of models, but it is better when your modification is explicitly specified. Also check the presence of markings on the metal of the farcope: there should be knocked out loads and manufacturer data.

Necessary tool and workplace preparation

Before starting physical installation, it is necessary to prepare the workplace and tool. Installing a farcop with your own hands requires an observation pit or overpass, since access to spars from below the car is limited. Working “on weight” with jacks is extremely uncomfortable and unsafe, especially if you need a significant effort to tighten the bolts.

The standard toolkit includes end heads of various sizes (most often 13, 17, 19 mm), collars, extension cord and rattle. To work with electricity, you will need a set to remove insulation, a soldering iron or special crimping mites, as well as a multimeter to check the chains. Don't forget. WD-40 or similar penetrating lubricant, since regular bolts often cling.

An important step is the preparation of the car. The car needs to be washed, especially in the area of wheel arches and under the bottom. It is recommended to remove the plastic bumper protection if it interferes with access to spars. In some cases, for example, Lada Largus or Renault DusterIt may be necessary to dismantle the bumper entirely for laying the wiring and installing the socket.

Step-by-step instructions for mechanical installation

The installation process begins with the removal of the elements that prevent access to the anchorages. In many modern cars, such as Toyota RAV4 or Kia SportageYou need to take off the bumper. To do this, screws are twisted in the arches and under the bottom, plastic clips are carefully snapped. Be careful not to break the latches in the cold.

After gaining access, try on the farcope without puffing. Make sure that the holes on the brackets match the holes in the spars. If the farcop requires drilling (which happens on universal models), mark the points strictly according to the pattern from the instructions. Staff farcopes usually become regular places without the need to drill the body, using reinforced bolts.

Tightening of bolts of fastening of the farcope to the body must be made with the force specified in the instructions (usually from 60 to 90 Nm). Use a dynamometer key for control, as an untwisted farcope is a risk of an accident, and a twisted one can damage the spanger metal. After mechanical installation, check the gaps between the hook and bumper.