Maryland Transportation Section 24-107

      (a)      While one vehicle is towing another, the towbar or other connection used:

            (1)      Shall be strong enough to pull the weight towed; and

            (2)      Except for the connection between any two vehicles carrying poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature that cannot be readily dismembered, may not exceed 15 feet from one vehicle to the other.

      (b)      (1)      Every full trailer shall be equipped with a towbar and means of attaching the towbar to the towing and towed units.

            (2)      The towbar and means of attaching the towbar to the units shall:

                  (i)      Be structurally adequate for the weight drawn;

                  (ii)      Be mounted properly and securely, without excessive slack, but with enough play to allow for universal action of the connection; and

                  (iii)      Have a suitable locking device to prevent accidental separation of the towed and towing vehicles.

      (c)      The mounting of the trailer hitch (pintle-eye or equivalent mechanism) of the towing vehicle shall include sufficient reinforcement or bracing of the frame to provide sufficient strength and rigidity to prevent undue distortion of the frame.

      (d)      (1)      Every trailer and semitrailer equipped with a towbar and any special mobile equipment being towed shall be coupled directly to the frame of the towing vehicle with one or more safety or "stay" chains or cables. Attachment to the pintle hook does not meet this requirement.

            (2)      No more slack may be left in these chains or cables than is needed for proper turning.

            (3)      These chains or cables shall be connected to the towed and towing vehicle and to the towbar to prevent the towbar from dropping to the ground if it fails.

      (e)      A hitching device used in a combination of vehicles shall be designed, constructed, and installed to insure that a towed vehicle does not shift or swerve more than 6 inches to either side of the path of the towing vehicle while the towing vehicle is moving in a straight line on a level, smooth, paved surface.

      (f)      While one vehicle is towing another and the connection is a chain, rope, or cable, a white, red, or orange-fluorescent warning flag or cloth at least 18 inches square shall be displayed on the connection.

      (g)      (1)      Except for the vehicles described in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Administration may adopt rules and regulations that establish standards for hitching devices and towing procedures for towing and towed vehicles.

            (2)      This subsection does not apply to tractor-trailer combination or semitrailer combination designed and used for carrying freight or merchandise in furtherance of any commercial enterprise.