Truck Hitch

[Zork]

Hey All! I live in VA and someone was telling me a truck bumper mounted ball is no longer allowed to pull a trailer, no matter what the trailer weight is. The guy said this change was due to so many bumpers falling off with the trailer connected. I checked VADMV website but could not find any specific information.

My truck is an '86 with a welded on 10K pound limit and 1K pound tongue weight (I recall) bumper hitch. According to this guy I cant even pull my smaller 3500# trailer with this set up as he said the tube receiver is now required.

Anyone hear about this? Is it a Federal DOT regulation for trailers above ??? gross weight? Or was this guy some kookoo bird?

 

[aczlan]

Call your local state police office and ask them. I suspect that it is not has he says.

Aaron Z

 

[creekbend]

I found quite a lot of info in regards to your inquiry. Just Google "Trailer Hitch Laws in the State of Virginia". It seems that the new law or laws will become effective in July. Hope this assists you somewhat. Best wishes.

 

[aczlan]

Per http://safetysentryinc.com/images/press_items/fact_sheet_1.pdf
A hitch must meet the following specifications:

The connection between any two vehicles, one of which is towing or drawing the other on a highway, shall consist of a fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer hitch, or other similar device not to exceed 15 feet in length from one vehicle to the other. Any such two vehicles shall, in addition to such drawbar or other similar device, be equipped at all times when so operated on the highway with an emergency chain or cable that is structurally adequate
to securely stop and hold the trailer being towed.
The fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer hitch, or similar device must (i) be structurally adequate for the weight being drawn, (ii) be properly and securely mounted, (iii) provide for adequate articulation at the connection without excessive slack at that location, and (iv) be provided with a locking device that prevents accidental separation of the towed and towing vehicles. The mounting of the fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer hitch, or similar device on the towing vehicle must include reinforcement or bracing of the frame sufficient to produce strength and rigidity of the frame to prevent its undue distortion.

Sounds pretty logical to me.

Aaron Z

 

[Zork]

Yeah. All of my trailers have the proper connection and strength chains, plus break-away brake actuators. I see this "New" Law is almost 2 years old.

What troubled me was the "gentleman" said I needed a "Receiver" unit and that towing from the bumper (of any kind) was now illegal. "Don't get caught" he said. I guess this also applies to the bumper mounted receivers.

My rear bumper is a beast and the guy I bought it from ordered that truck from the factory and he said the bumper came welded to the frame.

Now I am beginning to wonder....hmmmm.... I was at a flee market and picking up two older "Made in USA" lever chain binders (in great shape) for $2 a piece and this guy (a potential customer) was awfully quick to tell me the "Lever" type chain binders are also illegal, but I couldn't find anything on this either. Obviously, the search you mentioned produced some good results. I called the State Police; left a message; and they haven't gotten back to me yet.

According to one of the legislators that voted for/ sponsored the bill said the "locking" mechanism can be a "PIN" through the handle hole that prevents the disconnection (most hitches already have this) or a bolt or lock through this hole in the handle. You do not have to purchase the $85 Sen*** lock that is being advertised. http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/billcochran/field/wb/249529

 

[bcp]

Can't find anything here about binder types, but a state could have different requirements.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Cargo Securement Rules - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Bruce

 

[clemsonfor]

What if you use a tube receiver and weld up your own hitch that is not a bumper, how is that any different? Just go to the junk yard and pull one for like $35 to be legal.

 

[newbury]

Don't trust anyone who says anything about the towing laws in Virginia except the LEO that stops you.

There have been many "interpretations" of trailer laws in Virginia. I was told by one of the major shops that install trailer equipment that ANY trailer rated over 10K REQUIRED a CDL, even if you were hauling personal equipment.

The "new law" just requires safety chains and an adequately rated hitch or bumper basically, but has so much verbage people get confused.

 

[Zork]

A VA State Police Officer in charge of enforcement in my area told me it was OK to use a bumper hitch and lever binders if I am a private person not operating commercially or for hire. I didn't go into those matters because I dont operate for hire or commercially. I need adequate sized chains, hitch, and the connector /coupler/handle MUST be pinned, bolted or locked to prevent inadvertently forgetting to latch it or accidental disconnect.