California Regs for tying off tractor to trailer

RobertN · Jul 11, 2006

Here is info I found regarding tie downs ect in California. One is a DMV site, the other is an email I received from CHP regarding the issue.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d13/vc29004.htm

Here is the text from my email communication with CHP:
The California Highway Patrol (CHP), Commercial Vehicle Section received your e-mail regarding the proper way to secure your small tractor to a trailer.

Section 29004 (a) (3) of the California Vehicle Code (VC) states in part, any vehicle transported on a conventional trailer shall be secured by at least four tiedown chains, straps, or an equivalent device. In addition, it is your responsibility to ensure the vehicle is safely secured for transportation on the highway. The type of securement device you use is only limited to its ability to safely secure the load. Therefore, a ratchet style cargo strap may be utilized to secure your load.

kentrodngun · Jul 11, 2006

RobertN said:
Section 29004 (a) (3) of the California Vehicle Code (VC) states in part, any vehicle transported on a conventional trailer shall be secured by at least four tiedown chains, straps, or an equivalent device. In addition, it is your responsibility to ensure the vehicle is safely secured for transportation on the highway. The type of securement device you use is only limited to its ability to safely secure the load. Therefore, a ratchet style cargo strap may be utilized to secure your load.

Man, that's a scary thought.

We've discussed tie downs many times on these discussion boards and there's been a lot of disagrement as to whether or not Grade 43 CHAIN is sufficient. I've come over to the middle ground and use two Grade 70 chains with binders in the front, two Grade 43's with binders in the rear and a three inch strap over the top around mid machine. Personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable driving behind someone with only cargo straps securing the load and I'd never do it myself.

RobertN · Jul 11, 2006

I passed a guy back at Thanksgiving because of this.

We were on our way back from southern Cal. A monster motorhome passed by me. He was towing a sweet trailer that had a couple quads and a sand rail on it. The sand rail was on a ramp, situated with the front over the quads. All that buggy had on it was four cinch type straps like you'd use for a motorcycle; most of those aren't rated over 200lbs or so. You could see this buggy rocking around...

It amazed me, this musta been a $100-200k motorhome, with probably $30k in the trailer/buggy/quads. And they used wimpy little cheap straps for it. They were probably great for dirt bikes(I use the same straps for motorcycles). But for a sand rail/buggy?

When I haul my old Farmall A, I use ratchet straps. It is painted up nice; chains would mar it up. But, I use 4 of them. And, I only tow to local parades less than 25 miles away. They are way over-rated for it too...

I won't use the straps on my Kubota. Tried that once. They held tight, but they also got scuffed up and had a couple small tears start. There are too many sharp edges on most tractors.

slaveToHorses · Jul 13, 2006

Actually, my old sand rail weighed less than 800lbs so four straps, if they are the heavier duty ones, would probably be ok. Not real great but ok. As ok as it is to secure a motorcycle with only two (maybe better). If they locked it down by the suspension then the body of the buggy could bounce around quite a bit, although that's not a good idea...

But yeah, heavy tire straps would be much better.

Seon · Jul 15, 2006

I was told by the JD dealer in Elk Grove that I needed to secure my tractor with chains and that I'd get a ticket using the yellow 3" wide straps. I was suprised with that statement because I've always used straps to secure my classic cars.
The info you posted is comforting to know that straps are acceptable.