Chapter 08. Vehicle Connecting Devices and Towing Methods

The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum requirements for motor vehicle connecting devices and towing methods and is designed to reduce towing and hitch related accidents.

The scope of this chapter is directed to the regulation of trailer hitches and towing devices, towing methods, testing methods, certification requirements, installation compliance, and other requirements as defined in this chapter.

This chapter applies to all trailer hitches and connecting devices for use on all trailers and semitrailers having a registered gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less and on all motor vehicles that may be employed as a towing vehicle for the trailer or semitrailer when being operated upon the highways of this State. This chapter does not apply to truck-tractor-trailer combinations and semitrailer combinations designed and used for carrying freight or merchandise in the furtherance of any commercial enterprise or for those devices used for drawing another vehicle by means of a tow truck or wrecker.

In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

Terms Defined.

These systems are for use with trailers having a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less. This includes, but is not limited to such types as the utility, boat, camping, travel, and other trailers which are normally towed by the conventional passenger car, or similarly constructed vehicle, or light-duty truck. This regulation is intended basically for the ball-and-socket type of primary connecting system, but does include the fifth wheel and pintle hook-type system when used on vehicles subject to this regulation.

Trailer Classification.

Couplings.

Hitch Rating. Hitches shall be rated by the maximum gross trailer weight (MGTW) and the maximum vertical load on hitch (tongue weight) each is qualified to tow.

Hitch Strength Requirements. Each hitch, when subjected to a static bench test, shall conform to the minimum strength requirements contained in Table 2.

Attachment of Hitch. Each hitch shall be attached to the structural member or members of the towing vehicle in such a manner that the tension, compression, and traverse thrust loads shown in Table 2 are transferred to the towing vehicle without residual distortion or failure of either the attachment or the vehicle structure which would affect the safe towing of trailers, as defined in Table 2.

Maximum Vertical Load on Hitch (Tongue Weight). The weight load carried by the hitch at its connection with the trailer coupling may not, when on a level surface, exceed the maximum tongue weight load recommended by the manufacturer for the hitch.

Strength Requirements. Each safety chain and each attaching means shall meet strength requirements as shown in Table 4.

Installation and Connections. The means of attachment of safety chains shall be located equally distant from and on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of the towing vehicle and of the trailer, except that where a single length of safety chain is connected to one single means of attachment of a trailer, the single attachment shall be on the trailer longitudinal centerline. Each means of attachment may not be common with or utilize fasteners common with a ball or coupling. A welding operation may not be performed on a safety chain subsequent to its manufacture. Safety chains shall be so connected that the slack for each length of chain between trailer and towing vehicle is the same and is not more than necessary to permit the proper turning of the vehicles. When passing forward to the towing vehicle, safety chains shall be oriented in such a manner as to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground and to maintain connection in the event of failure of the primary connecting system. (See Figures 3 and 4).

Every towed vehicle shall be coupled to the towing vehicle by means of a safety chain, cable, or equivalent device in addition to the regular drawbar, tongue, or other connection. Safety chains, cables, or equivalent devices may be attached to permanently installed hitch components meeting the strength requirements of §A of this regulation.

Safety chain connections may not be made to the hitch ball, the pintle hook, or pintle hook casting, or to a ball mount designed to be readily removable when not in use.

Device and Component Marking. Each coupling and each hitch shall be legibly and permanently marked on at least one hitch component or related component marketed with the hitch, as shown below. When hitch components (except hitch balls and their hardware) are marketed separately, the following markings shall also appear on at least one of the components in the package or marketing unit:

Hitch Ball Marking. Each hitch ball sold for use in a primary connecting system shall be permanently and legibly marked to show the spherical diameter of the ball; e.g., 1-7/8“, 2”, etc. No other provision of this regulation, except §A(1), as to permanent marking shall apply to hitch balls.

Labelling. Each crate, box, or other container in which a coupling or hitch is packed shall be imprinted or labelled to display at least the same information required in §A for marking, except that the maximum gross trailer weight (MGTW) to be drawn shall be shown for each coupling regardless of class. Further, the year, make, and model of each vehicle on which a hitch may be installed and meet the requirements of this chapter shall be shown but may be shown on an enclosed sheet, or sheets, separate from the imprintation, or labelling, or on hitch manufacturer's application tables which are kept available at the locations where the device or system is sold, either for resale or for use. However, the provision contained in the preceding sentence does not apply to hitches adaptable to a large number of vehicles and designated to be a universal type.

Marking and Labelling. Each vehicle connecting device, method, or system shall be marked and labelled as required by Regulation .07 of this chapter. The marking and labelling shall show the responsible manufacturer. A pressure sensitive label will be acceptable if of a weather-resistant type which cannot be removed without destroying or defacing it.

Installation and Maintenance.

Compliance with Requirements. Each manufacturer shall be responsible for the performance ability of the device or system which he manufactures for use by a prospective owner, lessee, or borrower. When a manufacturer, packager, or seller assembles or packages (unites, collects, aggregates) for use by a prospective owner, lessee, or borrower a device or system from manufacturer, packager, or seller (person, firm, association, or corporation) shall be deemed responsible for the performance of the device or system which he assembles or packages. For the purpose of this regulation, each manufacturer, packager, or seller described in the preceding two sentences shall be known as the “responsible manufacturer”.

Table 1.

Table 2.

Table 3.

Table 4.

Table 5.