Questioni am a recovery agent in florida and have a few questions. i got pulled the other night and the officer said i need 2 straps and a safety chain . i had two straps on but he wrote me for no chain. i also have disputes on whether i hav 1 to 5 miles to strap a vehicle from the recoverd locaion. i have been told dot only requires one strap. i would like to know the law and the statue # so i can know what the law is
Answer Well section 393.70 section D of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations covers safety chains for towed vehicles. Granted it that it seems to be more oriented towards semi trucks and trailer units, it also does apply to tow trucks and vehicles being towed...
Now I do have to really ask a few questions here. How good is your insurance and luck... Do you really want to take a risk with either or both of them by not using wheel lift straps (I take it you are using a Dynamic self loader or other style like Jerr Dan QuickPic, Eagle Claw, or other unit).
The truck comes with 2 straps to be used to strap down the vehicle, as you do not know when you will hit a bump or get hit by another car.
And as stated below the safety chain issue is a federal law....
PERSONALLY I would strap down the vehicle (yes I have done repos and private tow aways with self loaders and I might go a block or 2 at the most then strap it down, attach chains, put on tow lights and then go down the road.
Now I do know that Florida also has many many rules and regulations on towing issues and you can find some of them on the DOT website, and then other state agency sites...
Sorry for not being specific on the strap issue, but I also know that if you got a ticket then you will have the section of the law he cited you on... That would help...
As side not you can always contact the DOT and ask then for guidance on this issue as they are there to help you (believe it or not, they do not just want to take your money)
Here is a copy of what it says
(d) Safety devices in case of tow bar failure or disconnection. Every full trailer and every converter dolly used to convert a semitrailer to a full trailer must be coupled to the frame, or an extension of the frame, of the motor vehicle which tows it with one or more safety devices to prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose in the event the tow bar fails or becomes disconnected. The safety device must meet the following requirements:
(d)(1) The safety device must not be attached to the pintle hook or any other device on the towing vehicle to which the tow bar is attached. However, if the pintle hook or other device was manufactured prior to July 1, 1973, the safety device may be attached to the towing vehicle at a place on a pintle hook forging or casting if that place is independent of the pintle hook.
(d)(2) The safety device must have no more slack than is necessary to permit the vehicles to be turned properly.
(d)(3) The safety device, and the means of attaching it to the vehicles, must have an ultimate strength of not less than the gross weight of the vehicle or vehicles being towed.
(d)(4) The safety device must be connected to the towed and towing vehicles and to the tow bar in a manner which prevents the tow bar from dropping to the ground in the event it fails or becomes disconnected.
(d)(5) Except as provided in paragraph (d) (6) of this section, if the safety device consists of safety chains or cables, the towed vehicle must be equipped with either two safety chains or cables or with a bridle arrangement of a single chain or cable attached to its frame or axle at two points as far apart as the configuration of the frame or axle permits. The safety chains or cables shall be either two separate pieces, each equipped with a hook or other means for attachment to the towing vehicle, or a single piece leading along each side of the tow bar from the two points of attachment on the towed vehicle and arranged into a bridle with a single means of attachment to be connected to the towing vehicle. When a single length of cable is used, a thimble and twin base cable clamps shall be used to form the forward bridle eye. The hook or other means of attachment to the towing vehicle shall be secured to the chains or cables in a fixed position.
(d)(6) If the towed vehicle is a converter dolly with a solid tongue and without a hinged tow bar or other swivel between the fifth wheel mounting and the attachment point of the tongue eye or other hitch device —
(d)(6)(i) Safety chains or cables, when used as the safety device for that vehicle, may consist of either two chains or cables or a single chain or cable used alone;
(d)(6)(ii) A single safety device, including a single chain or cable used alone as the safety device, must be in line with the centerline of the trailer tongue; and
(d)(6)(iii) The device may be attached to the converter dolly at any point to the rear of the attachment point of the tongue eye or other hitch device.
(d)(7) Safety devices other than safety chains or cables must provide strength, security of attachment, and directional stability equal to, or greater than, safety chains or cables installed in accordance with paragraphs (d)(5) and (6) of this section.
(d)(8)(i) When two safety devices, including two safety chains or cables, are used and are attached to the towing vehicle at separate points, the points of attachment on the towing vehicle shall be located equally distant from, and on opposite sides of, the longitudinal centerline of the towing vehicle.
(d)(8)(ii) Where two chains or cables are attached to the same point on the towing vehicle, and where a bridle or a single chain or cable is used, the point of attachment must be on the longitudinal centerline or within 152 mm (6 inches) to the right of the longitudinal centerline of the towing vehicle.
(d)(8)(iii) A single safety device, other than a chain or cable, must also be attached to the towing vehicle at a point on the longitudinal centerline or within 152 mm (6 inches) to the right of the longitudinal centerline of the towing vehicle.
[37 FR 21439, Oct. 11, 1972; 70 FR 48053, Aug. 15, 2005].
