| Frquently
Asked Questions |
|
| Do you
offer an Extended Warranty? |
Yes! We offer up to 3 years
of extended warranty and also include our legal indemnity against
fines incurred in EU Member States* |
| What
if I am stopped by Police in the EU and fined? |
We have never had one of
our Smart-Tow Systems stopped in Europe. We are so confident in the
legality of Smart-Tow that, as part of our Extended Warranty, we will
pay the Fine* |
Does
my A-Frame system need to be braked?
|
Yes. All "trailers" (tow
car) with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of more than 750kg must
be correctly braked. Even if the "trailer" has a MAM of
<750kg the Law states that if brakes
are fitted then they must work.
|
| My towed
vehicle is fitted with power assisted brakes, how do I get the brakes
to operate correctly when towing? |
The Department of Transport have issued
a formal note regarding A-Frames. Among
many Construction & Use requirements the DoT clearly state:
"If the trailer braking
system has power assistance it is likely that this assistance will
be required while in motion. To prevent the trailer being used illegally
a remote vacuum pump could be installed to recharge the reservoir."
This is exactly
what SmartBoxDUO does -
we are the only Company in Europe with this System.
This is not a myth as some inferior system manufacturers would have
you believe.
|
|
Some cheaper tow
car companies say you don't need to replenish the power brake vacuum
and that their system meets all requirements. Is this correct?
|
Unfortunately there are some companies
who claim their competitive system has been tested at "Government
approved centre's" and meet various "Standards" to
which "Certificates" are provided. We do not wish to get
into acrimonious discussion on this subject but please be aware
that much of this is irrelevant or misleading. Please checkout
any claims yourself directly with the Authority to whom the
competition say they have a relationship. Buyer beware!
We would prefer you to refer directly
to the Department
of Transport formal position on the matter of braking requirements.
If you require any further information regarding the regulations
covered by this DfT
fact sheet, please contact the DfT at the address below:-
Department for Transport,
Transport Technology and Standards 3
Zone 2/04, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London, SW1P
4DR
Telephone: 020 7944 2078 - Email: TTS.enquiries@dft.gsi.gov.uk
|
| I have
heard that some companies don't want you to see their components and
try to hide the workings! Will you let me see your System and demonstrate
it to me before I decide to buy? |
Yes, without a doubt! We
are open and transparent about our System with nothing to hide. Come
and see us at a Show or at Storrington and we will be happy to let
you inspect and operate the full system.
We also operate a fully working demo box at every Show for you to
see the full System in detail. |
| Does
your System apply the brakes using the power assistance as the manufacturer
designed and homologated the vehicle? |
Yes, absolutely! We are
the only company in Europe fitting a
dual sensing electronic vacuum pump, as
required by the
DfT, that replenishes the vacuum in the brake servo resevoir so
that the power brakes can be applied 100% - No compromise. |
| Do you
have somewhere close to me where I can get Smart-Tow installed in
my vehicle? |
Yes, we have fully trained
Professional Install Centres throughout the UK who can tailor our
many installation options to your individual requirements.
Give your nearest Centre a call and they
will happily talk you through the entire Smart-Tow System. |
| If I
want to fit the system myself, or have my favourite local garage fit
it for me, will you supply the full kit direct to me? |
Absolutely, if you prefer to purchase
the install kit for self fit we are happy to supply whatever you
need along with fitting instructions and telephone support.
However our Install Centres are experts
in the process and will offer a very competitive service.
|
| Can
I pay using Debit or Credit Cards? |
Yes, we accept all
Major Cards 
|
| Do A-Frame
systems comply with Construction & Use Law and reversing requirements? |
From 1 October 1988 the inertia braking
system is required to allow the trailer to be reversed by the towing
vehicle without imposing a sustained drag and such devices
used for this purpose must engage and disengage automatically.
This will be very difficult to achieve on an "A" frame
using an inertia (overrun) device.
SmartBoxDUO
is dual sensing and looks for
a brake signal from the towing vehicle. This second signal is not
present when reversing. Therefore SmartBoxDUO does NOT apply a sustained
drag in reverse and therefore fully complies
with the auto reverse regulations.
|
| What
will my towing vehicle tow? |
Your towing vehicle will
have a Gross Vehicle Weight and a Gross Train Weight stated in its
documentation and/or on a plate attached to the vehicle. Subtract
the GVW from the GTW and that is what you can tow.
For example:- GVW=3500kg GTW=5500kg (5500-3500 = 2000kg) 2 metric
tonne. |
| How
do I get a rough idea of what my towed vehicle weighs? |
This will be stated in
the vehicle documentation and/or V5. Another option would be to have
it weighed at your local public weigh bridge. |
| How
will the new UNECE Regulation 13 apply? |
UNECE Regulation 13 is
due to replace 71/320/EEC in 2014. The full
implications are yet to be made clear but it seems the effect may
be to outlaw mechanical overrun systems in all but purpose built trailers
and caravans.
We are confident SmartBoxDUO Electronic Vacuum Braking fully meets
Reg13 now! |
| How
does the system communicate to my tow car behind how hard I am braking
in my motor home? |
Our Electronic Vacuum Braking
System is manufactured in the USA where they have many years of experience
of flat towing. The System has a G sensor
mounted in the car which generates data on the degree of braking and
the SmartBoxDUO applies the power brakes
proportionally up to 100% of the braking efficiency
designed in by the original vehicle manufacturer. |
Does
the tow-car clock up mileage when I'm towing it?
|
No. The mileage counter
(odometer) of most modern cars only records when the ignition is turned
on. So no mileage is recorded when towing with the ignition off. |
What
happens if something goes wrong with the system?
|
All our systems are fully
warranted for 2 years. |
| I would
like to be assured my system meets European legal requirements, can
you provide a Declaration of Conformance? |
Yes! We can self certify
a Declaration of Conformity for a Smart-Tow system fitted at any of
our Install Centres. Complete peace of mind. |
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