Author Archives: Verena Glaab

New to Renault is the Renault Captur III (RJBH) from 06/2024. With this model, Renault’s popular SUV takes the next step and presents itself as a full hybrid model. The Captur III can also be used for towing a trailer; we offer you the right trailer hitch for an easy retrofitting.

The trailer coupling in our range is removable; thanks to the MVG automatic system 2040, the towbar can be removed at any time when not in use. Visible interventions in the vehicle’s appearance are not necessary with the trailer hitch.

The benefits of the detachable towbar for Renault Captur III (RJBH) from 06/2024

• vertically detachable towbar, MVG towbar 2040 
• no visible cut-out required
• automatic system removal by twist grip
• automatic locking device when fitting
• easy handling

Technical data for detachable towbar 

• D-value: 8,8 kN
• Towing capacity: 1756 kg
• Trailer load: 95 kg

The towbar for your Renault Captur III can be found in our MVG-shop. The item number is 2640 AA. 

During the holiday season, rear-mounted bike racks are popular companions to easily transport your own bikes. Depending on where you go on vacation, different rules than in Germany apply to this transport.

In Germany, for example, a third license plate must be used if the carrier covers the license plate on the vehicle. In addition, the carrier may protrude a maximum of 150 cm at the back and the bicycles may protrude a maximum of 20 cm on the sides. Special labeling for the bicycle racks and/or their load is not required in Germany. However, any lamps that may be hidden on the vehicle must work on the rear bike carrier.
It’s similar in Austria too: In Germany we are allowed to protrude 20 cm on the sides of bicycles. If the license plate is not readable and is covered up, a third license plate must be used. If taillights and reflectors are used, it is mandatory to use a light bar.

Rules for rear bike racks in Belgium and the Netherlands

In Belgium it is a little different, where the width of the vehicle with a bike rack cannot exceed a total of 255 cm. In addition, the vehicle’s license plate and lighting must be fully visible; if this is not the case, both a separate lighting bar and a third license plate are required. What is also special is that a bicycle rack with its own rear fog light is also required for vehicles with a Belgian license plate.
In the Netherlands, bicycles are also allowed to protrude 20 cm, so the maximum width is 255 cm. The rear bike carrier may protrude a maximum of one meter to the rear. A third license plate and extra lighting must be used if this is obscured by the use of the rack on the vehicle. As in Germany, special labeling of the rear bicycle carrier is not required.

Rear bike rack in southern Europe

In Italy, bicycles may protrude a maximum of 30 cm on each side when transported; a red and white marking board is also mandatory there. This must have dimensions of 50×50 cm. We have summarized all the information about this in a separate blog post. When it comes to the license plate and the lighting, in Italy you have to remember that both have to be fully visible. If this is not guaranteed, you will have to use a separate light bar and a third license plate.
Also in Spain, light bars and the third license plate are required under the same conditions. In addition, a square, red and white striped sign measuring 50×50 cm is mandatory there, even if there are no bicycles loaded on the rack.

In Spain’s neighboring country Portugal, it is initially advised to transport bicycles on the roof with a roof rack. If a rear bike carrier is used, the carrier and the bicycles must not be wider than the car. It must also be proven that the carrier is approved for the transport of bicycles and that the carrier is demonstrably suitable for transport. At the rear, the rear bike rack is only allowed to protrude 45 cm, which is significantly less than in all other countries. Important to know: For carriers that are mounted on the towbar, this is measured from the trailer hitch. In addition, in Portugal the necessary measures apply if the license plate and lighting are obscured (use of third license plate and light bar). The warning sign is also mandatory.

Regulations in Northern Europe

In Northern Ireland the regulations are quite simple, bikes are only allowed to protrude a maximum of 30.5cm on each side. If the license plate is covered, it must be replaced by a third license plate; the same applies to the lighting.
In Sweden, bicycles are only allowed to protrude a maximum of 20 cm on each side and a third license plate must always be attached. The lighting must also be fully visible, otherwise a light bar is required. There are also country stickers.

Driving with a trailer is and remains a closed book for many, despite having a driving license. However, with a few small tips, trailering will become easier. We have summrized the most important tips for you that you should definitely keep in mind as an inexperienced driver. 

Pay attention to the maximum permissible loads

No matter whether you want to tow a braked or unbraked trailer, a maximum trailer load is entered in the vehicle registration document for your towing vehicle. The same applies to your trailer hitch, which is also tested and approved for a trailer load. Before you set off, put together the values ​​of the towing vehicle and trailer coupling and check how much you can really tow and how heavy your trailer will be. Be sure to pay attention to the lowest of the values, as this is decisive. The values ​​should under no circumstances be exceeded, this is dangerous for your journey and can also be noticed negatively during a police check. 

Load your trailer correctly

So that your trailer lies safely on the road and the journey runs as smoothly as possible, it is important to load the trailer correctly. In the first step, it is important to keep an eye on the permissible support load. Under no circumstances should you exceed the tongue load of the towing vehicle or that of the trailer hitch. However, it is not a problem to fully use the lower of the two values, you just should not exceed the lower value (and therefore also the higher one). 

Make sure to place heavy transport items above the axle of the trailer if possible. If you distribute the loads differently, you will change the optimal road holding of the trailer and possibly influence the optimal braking effect of the trailer. In addition, the heaviest loads should always be stored as low as possible in the trailer; a large cabinet that is transported upright, for example, can easily fall into the trailer when cornering and braking movements happen. However, when lying down, the weight of the trailer is better distributed. 

Before driving, you should always secure your transported goods against slipping, tipping over and falling down. Otherwise, the loads could shift as a result of braking, cornering and any necessary evasive maneuvers while driving. You should also secure cargo well that sticks out of the back of the trailer. In addition, you are obliged to mark these cargos. 

The correct driving license for your trailer ride

You need the appropriate driving license to travel with the trailer. In Germany there are three driving licenses that allow driving with a trailer, namely the driving license classes B, B96 and BE. The three classes differ mainly in the permissible total mass of the combination that you can tow with the trailer. You can find out more about this in our blog posts about driving licenses. 

You’ve been driving the trailer and have already parked, but you’re not done yet. The parked trailer should also be secured, especially against rolling away. You can find out what you need to pay attention to and what liability is like in an emergency in our blog post. 

How to properly secure the trailer

If you park a trailer outside of your private property, you should definitely secure the trailer sufficiently. It can always happen that the trailer rolls away, is hit by strong gusts or – if it is parked on the street – is involved in a possible accident by other road users or even causes something worse. Of course, a parked trailer that moves unexpectedly is not desirable, even on private property, so we always recommend securing it properly. 

The best way to secure a parked trailer is with wheel chocks. To do this, you should first check whether the road is sloping in one direction, and if so, secure the trailer with a wheel chock before unhooking it from the towing vehicle so that it does not roll away when unhooking it. 

But even if the road has no slope or incline, securing it with a wheel chock makes sense: with a wheel chock in front of and behind the wheels you can prevent all movements forwards and backwards, or at least limit these movements, for example in a storm or if another vehicle hits the trailer. It is best to make sure that you park the trailer in a protected area, for example in a driveway or a dead end or on the edge of a parking lot, where the chances of the trailer moving unintentionally due to outer circumstances are already limited. 

You can also secure the trailer against theft, for example with an immobilizer and a lock for the drawbar. 

Liability for your trailer

Your trailer – like your car – must have liability insurance. So if the trailer starts rolling on a sloping road and damage is caused, you are covered. However, it is also helpful if you have additionally secured the trailer as described above. 

Also interesting for you: In 2023 there was a ruling by the Federal Court of Justice in which the trailer’s liability insurance was also asked to pay, even though the parked trailer was only in an accident with one had set another car in motion and was virtually passively involved in the accident. It was said that there was a risk of uncontrolled movement by the trailer and that this risk existed as long as the trailer was parked in public traffic. 

The KIA EV9 impresses as the latest, large-framed SUV and offers plenty of space in combination with a powerful character. In order to be able to tow a trailer with your SUV, you also need to have the right trailer hitch. We have developed the right trailer hitch to easily retrofit the KIA EV9.

Our trailer hitch is equipped with the MVG system 2040 and is removable. A rotary wheel is used to remove the ball rod, which is easy to handle. The removable towbar adapts well to the look of the KIA.

The benefits of the detachable towbar for KIA EV9 from 07/2023

• vertically detachable towbar, MVG towbar 2040 
• optimal appearance on the vehicle
• automatic system removal by twist grip
• automatic locking device when fitting
• easy handling

Technical data for detachable towbar for KIA EV9 from 07/2023

• D-value: 14 kN
• Towing capacity: 2550 kg
• Trailer load: 150 kg

The towbar for your KIA EV9 from 07/2023 can be found in our MVG-shop. The item number is 3797 A. In addition, you will also find the right electrical kit for retrofitting your KIA in the shop.

Find out more about our products in our other shops:

www.mvg-ahk.at
www.mvg-ahk.ch
www.mvg-ahk.lu
www.mvg-ahk.be
www.mvg-ahk.nl

As the latest model from Jeep, the Jeep Avenger now impresses as a large SUV for the whole family and as a powerful partner for towing a trailer. The Jeep Avenger from 2023 can be converted into a towing vehicle at any time with the retrofittable trailer hitch.

Our range also includes a suitable trailer hitch for retrofitting the Jeep Avenger. Our trailer hitch is removable and does not interfere with the look of the SUV. The trailer hitch is easy to use and can be removed in just a few steps when not in use.

The benefits of the detachable towbar for Jeep Avenger from 2023

• vertically detachable towbar, MVG towbar 2040 
• no cut-out required by using the original cut-out
• automatic system removal by twist grip
• automatic locking device when fitting
• easy handling

Technical data for detachable towbar for Jeep Avenger from 2023

• D-value: 7,5 kN
• Towing capacity: 1221 kg
• Trailer load: 75 kg

The towbar for your Jeep Avenger from 2023 can be found in our MVG-shop. The item number is 0852 A. In addition, you will also find the right electrical kit for retrofitting your Jeep in the shop.

Find out more about our products in our other shops:

www.mvg-ahk.at
www.mvg-ahk.ch
www.mvg-ahk.lu
www.mvg-ahk.be
www.mvg-ahk.nl

Italy is also a popular holiday destination during the holiday season, especially Lake Garda and Lake Como are popular travel destinations. Both are also popular destinations for beautiful bike tours including Italian dolce vita. However, there are special rules in Italy for transporting bicycles on the rear bicycle rack.

Keep this in mind when transporting items with overhang

In Italy there is a basic rule for transport: goods being transported that protrude beyond the rear, trailer or rear bicycle rack must be provided with a warning sign. To do this, you should use red and white striped warning signs; you need at least one. However, if the goods to be transported take up the entire width of the vehicle, you will need two warning signs, which are attached to the left and right at the end of the goods to be transported.

Why warning signs are important for rear bike racks

In Italy, bicycles are classified as hard to detect cargo when transported on the rear bike rack. This makes it mandatory to mark this difficult-to-recognize load during the journey, especially if the load is wider than the vehicle, i.e. if your bikes on the rear bike carrier protrude beyond the width of the car. However, what is important is not the width of the vehicle from mirror to mirror, but rather the width of the vehicle measured at the tail lights.

Mark the rear bicycle carrier with a warning sign

Regardless of whether you transport your bikes on the rear bike rack in summer or your skis and snowboarders on the towbar for winter sports in the north of Italy, warning signs are mandatory in Italy. This regulation is independent of whether the rear bicycle carrier is illuminated and has a license plate. Previously, rear-mounted bicycle carriers with a so-called repeat license plate (the vehicle’s license plate is repeated on the rear bike carrier) were excluded from the warning sign regulation, but this is now also mandatory for such transports.

Choose the right warning sign

The warning signs you need for such cargo in Italy should be red and white striped and made of metal. The dimensions should be 50×50 cm. If you do not use a warning sign, violations of the labeling requirement are usually punished with fines; more rarely, only a warning is issued.

Find out more about our products in our other shops:
www.mvg-ahk.at
www.mvg-ahk.ch
www.mvg-ahk.lu
www.mvg-ahk.be
www.mvg-ahk.nl

The Renault Espace is entering the next round with the latest model and, in the usual Renault style, offers a versatile, modern vehicle. With the appropriate trailer hitch, the Renault Espace VI from model year 05/2023 can also be easily retrofitted and turned into a towing vehicle.

Our range includes a suitable removable towbar with which the Renault Espace VI can be easily retrofitted. The removable trailer hitch can be removed by operating a rotary wheel when not in use.

The benefits of the detachable towbar for Renault Espace VI 05/2023 model

• vertically detachable towbar, MVG towbar 2040 
• No visible cut-out required 
• automatic system removal by twist grip
• automatic locking device when fitting

Technical data for detachable towbar

• D-value: 9,4 kN
• Towing capacity: 1672 kg
• Trailer load: 85 kg

The detachable towbar for your Renault Espace 05/2023 model can be found in our MVG-shop. The item number is 0988 A.

Find out more about our products in our other shops:

www.mvg-ahk.at
www.mvg-ahk.ch
www.mvg-ahk.lu
www.mvg-ahk.be
www.mvg-ahk.nl

Bij een ongeluk zijn er veel dingen die door je hoofd schieten en waar je rekening mee moet houden. De trekhaak is daar (misschien) niet altijd een van. Wanneer je ergens tegenaan of frontaal op botst, heeft dit natuurlijk geen gevolgen voor de trekhaak, hoewel andere onderdelen van het voertuig zeker beschadigd zullen raken. Over de trekhaak hoef je pas zorgen te maken wanneer de achterzijde van de auto bij een ongeval wordt geraakt. Dus als iemand je van achteren aanrijdt of je rijdt iets te ver door bij het parkeren en belandt in de muur, dan moet je je zeker zorgen maken over je trekhaak.

Schade aan de trekhaak – reparatie vereist

In het geval van een kop-staartbotsing waarbij je trekhaak beschadigd raakt, moet je actie ondernemen. Een trekhaak kan niet gerepareerd worden. De reden hiervoor is dat reparaties en wijzigingen van welke aard dan ook niet zijn toegestaan en dat de garantie die we voor je trekhaak ontvangen en opsturen vervalt. Ook zijn er redenen in verband met de productaansprakelijkheid die het noodzakelijk maken om de trekhaak te vervangen.

Wanneer je van achteren door een auto wordt aangereden, is schade aan de trekhaak vaak niet echt zichtbaar. Als de lak beschadigd is, is dat op het eerste gezicht natuurlijk niet zo erg. Eventuele schade aan de dwarsstang of de zijkanten kun je echter niet met het blote oog zien.  Reparaties zelf uitvoeren wordt sterk afgeraden, en niet alleen om de reeds genoemde redenen. Bij doe-het-zelf-reparaties wordt niet voldaan aan de noodzakelijke procedures voor uitharding en afwerking die treksterkte en stabiliteit garanderen en die niet door jou of welke werkplaats dan ook uitgevoerd kunnen worden. Wanneer je achterkant en dus ook je trekhaak beschadigd is, mag je niet langer een aanhanger met de trekhaak trekken en moet je de trekhaak zo snel mogelijk vervangen.

Schade die door de trekhaak ontstaat

Bij een ongeval zoals hierboven beschreven, zal het andere voertuig zeker ook schade oplopen. Het zal vaak zo zijn dat jouw achterkant er veel onschuldiger uitziet dan de voorkant van de andere partij. Door de trekhaak op je auto is de kracht van de botsing van de andere partij op zijn auto op bepaalde punten veel sterker, zodat zijn auto zeker aan de voorkant zwaar beschadigd raakt.

Maar heeft de trekhaak invloed op de aansprakelijkheid van de verzekering? Op dit moment is hier geen officiële en algemeen geldende regelgeving voor. In paragraaf 30c van het Wegenverkeersreglement (StVZO) staat het volgende: “[…] er mogen geen onderdelen zodanig buiten de contouren van het voertuig uitsteken dat ze het verkeer meer dan onvermijdelijk in gevaar brengen.” Dit betekent dat bij een verwijderbare trekhaak of een draaibaar model het uitsteken vermeden zou kunnen worden. Daarom adviseren we je met klem om de twee modellen alleen aan het voertuig te bevestigen of uit te vouwen wanneer je de trekhaak onmiddellijk wilt gebruiken. Anders kunnen er problemen ontstaan met de verzekering.

In the third part of this series we will introduce you to other electric vehicles and hybrid models for which you will find the right towbars for retrofitting in our shop. Basically, just like other vehicles, electric and hybrid vehicles can be retrofitted with a trailer hitch and used for driving with the trailer or the rear bicycle carrier. But: For this, the vehicles must first be equipped with a registered trailer load by the manufacturer. If you would like to retrofit your model, then feel free to take a look around, but you also consider consulting your trusted car dealership about using your model as a towing vehicle.

The Mercedes Citan (T-Class) from 09/2021 turns into a towing vehicle with our towbar

The T-Class from Mercedes offers a lot of space by default, but the model can be used in even more ways with a trailer hitch. Our trailer hitch is detachable and is operated via a rotary wheel. The towbar can be removed in just a few steps when not in use.

The values ​​of the towbar at a glance:

Towing capacity 1675 kg

Trailer load 90 kg

D value 9.4 kN

Nissan Townstar from 2021 – now with trailer hitch

The Nissan Townstar can be easily retrofitted with the right trailer coupling: You will find the right towbar with us, which also fits electric models. Our trailer hitch is equipped with the MVG automatic system 2040, which enables uncomplicated operation and easy removal of the ball rod when not in use.

The values ​​of the towbar at a glance:

Towing capacity 1675 kg

Trailer load 90 kg

D value 9.4 kN

Suzuki Vitara (LY) from 10/2018 – also retrofits the hybrid

The Suzuki Vitara is an evergreen among towing vehicles, you can also retrofit the hybrid version with the right trailer hitch. Our product range includes a detachable trailer hitch that does not interfere with the design of the Vitara and is easy to operate with just a few movements.

The values ​​of the towbar at a glance:

Towing capacity 1614 kg

Trailer load 90 kg

D value 8.5 kN

The removable trailer hitch for the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross from 01/2022

You can also find us for the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross a trailer hitch for easy retrofitting. Our trailer hitch is detachable, so that the ball rod can be easily removed when not in use by operating a rotary wheel. The hitch can also be retrofitted to the hybrid model.

The values ​​of the towbar at a glance:

Towing capacity 1688 kg

Trailer load 90 kg

D value 8.5 kN

The trailer hitch for the Dacia Jogger from 04/2022

Our trailer hitch for the Dacia Jogger is removable. To remove the ball rod, you simply use the rotary wheel of the MVG automatic system 2040: You only have to pull the rotary wheel to the right and turn it backwards, and you can remove the hitch if it is not needed. The Jogger tow hitch also fits LPG vehicles and does not require any cut outs in the visible area.

The values ​​of the towbar at a glance:

Towing capacity 1248 kg

Trailer load 90 kg

D value 7.5 kN