Trailer Drawbar Certification & ADR 62/02 Compliance
Kadtec Engineering provides engineering assessment, design and certification of trailer drawbars to the applicable requirements of ADR 62/02 – Mechanical Connections Between Vehicles.
We assist trailer manufacturers, fabricators and vehicle owners with both new drawbar designs and certification of existing drawbars.
Our engineering services are available for light and heavy trailers including tiny home trailers, plant trailers, machinery trailers, tag trailers, equipment trailers, caravans and custom trailer applications.
Drawbar Certification
Trailer drawbars must be capable of safely transferring the required towing loads between the trailer and towing vehicle.
Kadtec Engineering can assess an existing drawbar design or develop a new design to demonstrate compliance with the applicable ADR requirements.
The assessment may include:
- Drawbar strength calculations
- Coupling and drawbar load assessment
- Structural calculations
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
- Weld and connection assessment
- Material and section verification
- Manufacturing drawings
- Engineering certification documentation
ADR 62/02 Engineering Assessment
Drawbar certification is assessed against the applicable requirements of ADR 62/02.
The engineering assessment considers the trailer ATM, coupling loads, drawbar geometry, materials, structural sections, connections and expected service loading.
Where required, Finite Element Analysis can be used to assess complex drawbar structures and identify highly stressed areas that may require modification.
Existing Drawbar Certification
Kadtec can assess drawbars that have already been designed or fabricated.
Where the existing design is suitable, engineering calculations and certification documentation can be prepared without requiring the drawbar to be redesigned.
If improvements are required, Kadtec can provide practical recommendations to achieve compliance while minimising unnecessary fabrication changes.
New Drawbar Design
Kadtec can also provide complete drawbar engineering and design services including:
- 3D CAD modelling
- Structural design
- FEA
- Material selection
- Weld and connection design
- Manufacturing drawings
- ADR compliance documentation
ROVER & Vehicle Type Approval Support
Engineering documentation can be prepared to support trailer manufacturers with ROVER and Vehicle Type Approval applications where required.
Kadtec can work with manufacturers to develop repeatable certified designs suitable for use across trailer models and production ranges.
Information Required
To assess a trailer drawbar, please provide where available:
- Trailer ATM
- Trailer type and intended use
- Drawbar dimensions
- Drawings or CAD files
- Material sizes and grades
- Coupling type and rating
- Axle configuration
- Photos of the existing drawbar if already manufactured
Need a Drawbar Certified?
Contact Kadtec Engineering to discuss your trailer drawbar design or certification requirements.
Drawbar engineering documentation can also be prepared as part of a complete ROVER Trailer Approval package
