For many years the only standards relevant to towbars were related to ball height. In 1998 the introduction of EC94/20 specified a 2 million cycle fatigue test based on vehicle and trailer weight and nose weight.

Once a test is complete (usually 3 to 6 days of continuous running) an engineer from VCA checks the bar and another one started. This process is greatly enhanced by having two rigs.

Following the submission of the appropriate paperwork VCA issues us with and approval number that appears on the label that is permanently attached to the towbar. This label also gives nose weight, test load, batch number and vehicle details for which the towbar was originally designed.