Some Auckland motorhome owners caught up in a towbar recall are going as far afield as Tauranga to get them rechecked because of a shortage of qualified vehicle engineers. Vehicle owners who use towbars without having a safety check ordered by the Transport Agency are risking prosecution. Wellington lawyer Steve Haszard, who is overseeing the Transport Agency's enforcement work, said the towbar recall was done with good reason, and anyone who ignored it was acting unlawfully. During an earlier towbar recall for suspended heavy vehicle engineer Peter Wastney, the agency met recertification and repair costs for affected transport companies, and 25,000 light vehicle owners issued with potentially dodgy warrants of fitness have also been offered free rechecks. Operations manager for Auckland motorhome and caravan sales company Joyco Blair Johnson said he was aware of about a dozen owners affected by the towbar ban.

Source: Stuff February 04, 2019 03:56 UTC