I am just putting one together based on the curtis design ..it will cost about £30 ($40) but as its not a towbar and for a bike rack I am not bothered about the homologation issue.

 

Interestingly on the Watling towbars site it says this:-

If correct there is no legal issue with using it as a cycle carrier.

 

You are a genious ..
Two Point
1/ it a 97 reg so a home made bar is acceptable
2/ I will print that out and show it to the offier of the law if stopped or the MOT man
Brilliant

 

in the USA it is permissible to install a hitch on a vehicle not rated to have one. Most installers can contact the manufacturer who will always tell them that the tongue weight must be zero. Interesting tidbit is that the same exact car in Europe will often be rated to tow much, much more than the car in the USA.

Next way to solve this is to contact the DMV in the state of registration and ask for the requirements. Once they give them, and they are followed, half the liability is solved. Next, simply tell your insurance company of the modification. Once it is noted on the policy, the liability coverage attaches, usually with little to no surcharge. Usually they ask if one checked with the DMV and installer as to appropriateness of the installation and that you know its limitations.