Overview
ISO 5422:1982 - Road vehicles: Anchorages for towing ropes, cables or bars - specifies requirements for towing anchorages (tow eyes/hooks) fixed to road vehicles so they can be towed or tow another vehicle. The standard applies to passenger cars (as defined in ISO 3833) and other vehicles with a maximum authorized total weight not exceeding 3.5 tonnes. It covers anchorage location, minimum functional dimensions, strength, test methods and identification.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability: Passenger cars and light vehicles up to 3.5 t (maximum authorized total mass).
- Shape and attachment: The shape of anchorages is left to the manufacturer’s option but must permit attachment without tools or auxiliary parts.
- Working aperture: The smallest dimension of the working aperture shall be not less than 25 mm to accept standard ropes, cables or bars.
- Strength requirement: Each anchorage shall withstand a static load of at least half the vehicle’s maximum authorized total mass.
- Location constraints: Anchorages must not project horizontally beyond the vehicle’s exterior contour (body plus bumpers) unless removable, and must be positioned so specified angular displacements at the other end of the connecting element are achievable (see clause 5.2).
- Durability and safety: Anchorages shall not damage towing ropes or cables during use and shall not cause damage to nearby mandatory systems (lighting, signalling, braking or steering) that would prevent normal operation.
- Testing procedures: Two static tractive tests - one horizontal in the longitudinal direction and a second at a specified angle - are required. Tests are performed with the vehicle secured at kerb mass on a horizontal rigid surface. If towing bars are used, compressive tests may also be required.
- Identification: Anchorages must be identified by the manufacturer in a suitable manner.
Applications and who uses this standard
- Vehicle manufacturers (design and production of OEM tow points)
- Component suppliers and aftermarket tow-eye manufacturers
- Test laboratories and certification bodies performing strength and compliance tests
- Fleet operators, recovery services and vehicle repairers specifying safe towing points
- Regulatory authorities and type-approval engineers referencing towing attachment safety
Related standards
- ISO 3833 - Road vehicles - Types - Terms and definitions (passenger car definition)
- ISO 1176 - Road vehicles - Masses - Vocabulary (kerb mass, maximum authorized mass)
ISO 5422:1982 is a practical reference for designing, testing and identifying safe towing anchorages on light vehicles, improving recovery safety and ensuring consistent performance of towing attachments. Keywords: ISO 5422:1982, towing anchorages, road vehicles, tow hooks, tow eyes, towing ropes, towing bars, vehicle testing.
