RS200 Rear Box and Towbar issues

[BruceV43]

Hi folks,

This is my first post so trying not to break any rules!

Would very much like to be able to tow a small trailer but don't want to change the car just to do this - so far all towbar suppliers seem to have no solution fro the Ph2 Clio III. Now I know roofboxes are the rage but they is no substitute for a trailer, so why have Renault made it a no-go area of late???

My car is 4 yrs old with 70k on the clock, and going perfectly, and hence not worth a huge amount and I just love driving it and hence not ready to get rid of it for a few years (annual mileage has halved now) so, can anyone suggest a solution? I have removed the rear diffuser (amazing how many bits of roadstone trapped between the plastic and the heatshield!), and can see that the rear box is pretty wide, ie partly covers the 'chassis' rails. Apart from throwing away the diffuser, which I am happy to do, does anybody know of a smaller box and/or any other solution to this problem?

Judging by loads of postings on other topics CS has so many creative users

 

[Matt W]

Good luck.

Sounds like it'll be easier to change cars tbh.

 

[Djw John]

The only way really would be to get a custom exhaust and then a towbar intended for a base spec Clio. Or a custom made towbar.

Regardless of what you do though it's not type approved for towing which will make insurance a bit of an issue as it's not legal.

 

[BruceV43]

Thanks Djw - I sort of assumed that standard Clio towbar would be type approved for any Clio that it will fit without modification (of the bar). Surely the exhaust, assuming it can be solved, is immaterial in this respect as it's not in any way structural................. maybe the lawyers see if differently though??

One further problem, which may will as a surprise to some, is that the exhaust appears to be one piece from cat to tailpipes as I haven't seen any joins...................... so how does a new exhaust get fitted as it has to go over the rear axle beam???

Still living in hope that somebody has cracked this.

 

[Matt W]

Thanks Djw - I sort of assumed that standard Clio towbar would be type approved for any Clio that it will fit without modification (of the bar). Surely the exhaust, assuming it can be solved, is immaterial in this respect as it's not in any way structural................. maybe the lawyers see if differently though??

One further problem, which may will as a surprise to some, is that the exhaust appears to be one piece from cat to tailpipes as I haven't seen any joins...................... so how does a new exhaust get fitted as it has to go over the rear axle beam???

Still living in hope that somebody has cracked this.

It is one piece, and has to be cut off for removal.

 

[M.C..]

If you look at your VIN plate and there is no towing weight ie 0000 KG or XXXX KG your car can not tow anything and if you had a accident and the police look at the plate you will not be insured.

 

[tomhunt85]

If you look at your VIN plate and there is no towing weight ie 0000 KG or XXXX KG your car can not tow anything and if you had a accident and the police look at the plate you will not be insured.

This is right, there's a few cars like this, Peugeot 107, Focus St and a few more. Just can't be done.

 

[BruceV43]

MC, you are spot on as I checked this earlier, having spoken to Witter towbars, and the all up weight (MTR) is indeed a big fat 0000000 Kg! The bizarre thing is that I have trawled through all the books/manuals that came with the car make no mention of this - even the RS200 Supplement has a Towing section with a table on the last page referring to the VIN plate to get the specific values - THANKS RENAULT for allowing me to put 80Kg on the roof! So the RS200 shares the fact that no towbar is allowed with all models of the Twingo, all other models incl Megane RS are ok.

Looks like I'm stuffed every which way technically and legally - boohoo

 

[Martin_172]

even if it was legal the hastle with removing the diffuser etc would be not worth it.

roof box it is! im getting roof bars for my DCI for sticking a gokart on!