46.2-1118 - Connection between vehicles; tow trucks towing vehicles by means of a wheel lift apparatus.
§ 46.2-1118. Connection between vehicles; tow trucks towing vehicles by meansof a wheel lift apparatus.
The connection between any two vehicles, one of which is towing or drawingthe other on a highway, shall consist of a fifth wheel, drawbar, trailerhitch, or other similar device not to exceed 15 feet in length from onevehicle to the other. Any such two vehicles shall, in addition to suchdrawbar or other similar device, be equipped at all times when so operated onthe highway with an emergency chain or cable that is structurally adequate tosecurely stop and hold the trailer being towed.
The fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer hitch, or similar device must (i) bestructurally adequate for the weight being drawn, (ii) be properly andsecurely mounted, (iii) provide for adequate articulation at the connectionwithout excessive slack at that location, and (iv) be provided with a lockingdevice that prevents accidental separation of the towed and towing vehicles.The mounting of the fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer hitch, or similar device onthe towing vehicle must include reinforcement or bracing of the framesufficient to produce strength and rigidity of the frame to prevent its unduedistortion.
The foregoing provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) any farmtractor, as defined in § 46.2-100, when such farm tractor is towing any farmimplement or farm machinery by means of a drawbar coupled with a safety hitchpin or manufacturer's coupling device or (ii) any tow truck towing a vehicleby means of a wheel lift apparatus that employs a safety strap to hold two ofthe towed vehicle's wheels within a wheel lift cradle in a manner consistentwith instructions of the manufacturer of such wheel lift apparatus.
For the purposes of this section, "tow truck" means any motor vehicle thatis constructed and used primarily for towing, lifting, or otherwise movingillegally parked or disabled vehicles.
(Code 1950, § 46-332; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-336; 1982, c. 189; 1985, c. 426;1989, c. 727; 2003, c. 414; 2010, c. 614.)