13 AAC 04.275. Towed vehicles; connections and safety devices

(a) A vehicle towed upon a street or highway must be coupled to its towing vehicle by means of a safety chain, chains, cable or equivalent device, in addition to the regular hitch or coupling. No additional connecting device may contain more slack than is necessary to permit proper turning of the vehicles connected, and the additional connecting safety devices must be connected to both the towing and the towed vehicles and to the drawbar or other rigid connecting device in a manner which will prevent the drawbar or other rigid connecting device from dropping to the ground in the event of its failure. The additional safety devices must be of sufficient strength to retain control of the towed vehicle in the event of failure of the rigid connecting device.

(b) The requirements of (a) of this section do not apply to a towed vehicle which is connected to a towing vehicle by a connecting device composed of a fifth wheel and kingpin assembly.

(c) Except as provided in (e) of this section, when one vehicle is towing another, the drawbar or other rigid connection must be of sufficient strength to pull all of the weight towed. The drawbar or other connection may not exceed 15 feet in length from one vehicle to the other, except if the connection is between two vehicles, one or both of which transports poles, pipes, machinery or other materials of a structural nature which cannot be readily dismembered.

(d) Except for an implement of husbandry or a pole trailer, the drawbar or other connecting device must connect the towed vehicle to track within six inches of the immediately preceding vehicle to which it is connected.

(e) When one vehicle is towing a disabled vehicle and, because of emergency or other extenuating circumstances, there is no rigid connecting device between a towing and a towed vehicle, there must be displayed upon the connection a white flag or cloth at least 12 inches square.

(f) The provisions of this section do not apply to snowmobiles or other off-highway vehicles.

History: Eff. 12/31/69, Register 31; am 6/28/79, Register 70

Authority: AS 28.05.011

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