Ala. Admin. Code r. 770-X-10-.17-4-1-.26

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 770-X-10-.17-4-1-.26 - Driveaway-Towaway Operations

(1) Number and Combinations

(a) No more than three saddle-mounts may be used in any combination.

(b) No more than one tow-bar may be used in any combination;

(c) When motor vehicles are towed by means of triple saddle-mounts, the towed vehicles shall have brakes acting on all wheels which are in contact with the roadway.

(2) Carrying Vehicles on Towing Vehicle

(a) When adequately and securely attached, a motor vehicle or motor vehicles may be full-mounted on the structure of a towing vehicle engaged in any driveaway-towaway operation.

(b) No motor vehicle or motor vehicles may be full-mounted on a towing vehicle unless the relationship of such full-mounted vehicles to the rear axle or axles results in proper distribution of the total gross weight of the vehicles and does not unduly interfere with the steering, braking, or maneuvering of the towing vehicle, or otherwise contribute to the unsafe operation of the vehicles comprising the combination.

(3) Carrying Vehicles on Towed Vehicles

(a) When adequately and securely attached, a motor vehicle or motor vehicles may be full-mounted on the structure of towed vehicles engaged in any driveaway-towaway operation.

(b) No motor vehicle shall be full-mounted on a motor vehicle towed by means of a tow-bar unless the towed vehicle is equipped with brakes and is provided with means of effective application of brakes acting on all wheels and is towed on its own wheels.

(c) No motor vehicle or motor vehicles shall be full-mounted on a motor vehicle towed by means of a saddle-mount unless the center line of the kingpin or equivalent means of attachment of such towed vehicle shall be so located on the towing vehicle that the relationship to the rear axle or axles results in the proper distribution of the total gross weight of the vehicles and does not unduly interfere with the steering, braking, or other maneuvering of the towing vehicle or otherwise contribute to the unsafe operation of the vehicles comprising the combination, and unless a perpendicular to the ground from the center of gravity of the full-mounted vehicles lies forward of the center line of the rear axle of the saddle-mounted vehicle.

(d) If a motor vehicle towed by means of a double saddle-mount has any vehicle full-mounted on it, such saddle-mounted vehicle shall at all times while so loaded have effective brakes acting on those wheels which are in contact with the roadway.

(4) Bumper Tow-bar or Heavy Vehicles Prohibited - Tow-bars of the type which depend upon the bumpers as a means of transmitting forces between the vehicles shall not be used to tow motor vehicles weighing more than 5,000 pounds.

(5) Front Wheels of Saddle-Mounted Vehicles Restrained - A motor vehicle towed by means of a saddle-mount shall have the motion of the front wheels restrained if, under any turning of such wheels, they will project beyond the widest part of either the towed or towing vehicle.

(6) Vehicles to be Towed in Forward Position -Unless the steering mechanism is adequately locked in a straightforward position, all motor vehicles towed by means of a saddle-mount shall be towed with the front end mounted on the towing vehicle.

(7) Means Required for Towing

(a) No motor vehicle or motor vehicles shall be towed in driveaway-towaway operations by means other than tow-bar or saddle-mount connections which shall meet the requirements of this section.

(b) For the purpose of the regulations of this part:

1. Coupling devices such as those used for towing house trailers and employing ball and socket connections shall be considered as tow-bars.

2. Motor vehicles or parts of motor vehicles adequately, securely and rigidly attached shall be considered as one vehicle in any position in any combination.

(8) Requirements for Tow-Bars

(a) Tow-bars shall comply with the following requirements:

1. Structural adequacy and mounting

Every tow-bar shall be structurally adequate and properly installed and maintained.

2. Joined - The tow-bar shall be so constructed as to freely permit motion in both horizontal and vertical planes between the towed and towing vehicles. The means used to provide the motion shall be such as to prohibit the transmission of stresses under normal operation between the towed and towing vehicle, except along the longitudinal axis of the tongue or tongues.

3. Tow-bar Fastenings - The means used to transmit the stresses to the chassis or frames of the towed and towing vehicles may be either temporary structures or bumpers or other integral parts of the vehicles.

4. Means of Adjusting Length - On tow-bars, adjustable as to length, the means used to make such adjustment shall fit tightly and not result in any slackness or permit the tow-bar to bend.

5. Method of Clamping - Adequate means shall be provided for securely fastening the tow-bar to the towed and towing vehicles.

6. Tow-bar Connection to Steering Mechanism -The tow-bar shall be provided with suitable means of attachment to and actuation of the steering mechanism, if any, of the towed vehicle. The attachment shall provide for sufficient angularity of movement of the front wheels of the towed vehicle so that it may follow substantially in the path of the towing vehicle without cramping the tow-bar. The tow-bar shall be provided with suitable joints to permit such movement.

7. Tracking - The tow-bar shall be so designed, constructed, maintained, and mounted as to cause the towed vehicle to follow substantially in the path of the towing vehicle. Tow-bars of such design or in such condition as to permit the towed vehicle to deviate more than three inches to either side of the path of a towing vehicle moving in a straight line are prohibited.

8. Safety Devices in Case of Tow-bar Failure or Disconnection

(i) The towed vehicle shall be connected to the towing vehicle by a safety device to prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose in the event the tow-bar fails or becomes disconnected. When safety chains or cables are used as the safety device for that vehicle, at least two safety chains or cables meeting the requirements of subdivision (2) of this subparagraph shall be used.

(ii) If chains or cables are used as the safety device, they shall be crossed and attached to the vehicles near the points of bumper attachments to the chassis of the vehicles. The length of chain used shall be no more than necessary to permit free turning of the vehicles. The chains shall be attached to the tow-bar at the point of crossing or as close to that point as is practicable.

(iii) A safety device other than safety chains or cables must provide strength, security of attachment, and directional stability equal to, or greater than, that provided by safety chains or cables. A safety device other than safety chains or cables must be designed, constructed, and installed so that, if the tow-bar fails or becomes disconnected, the tow-bar will not drop to the ground.

9. Saddle-mounts - Saddle-mounts shall be so constructed and attached as to provide a safe and secure attachment of the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle and shall be so constructed and attached as to provide safety of operation in the towing operation.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 770-X-10-.17-4-1-.26

Effective January 1978. Filed with LRS February 5, 2013. Filed for Codification in the Alabama Administrative Code by the Alabama Public Service Commission on February 5, 2013, pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, § 41-22-7.

Author: Alabama Public Service Commission

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 37-3-5, 37-3-7.