2010 Pennsylvania Code
Title 75 - VEHICLES
Chapter 49 - Size, Weight and Load
4905 - Safety requirements for towed vehicles.

     § 4905.  Safety requirements for towed vehicles.
        (a)  Connecting devices and distances.--When one vehicle is
     towing another, the connection shall be of sufficient strength
     to pull all weight towed. The distance between the vehicles
     shall not exceed 15 feet except between any two vehicles
     transporting poles, pipes, machinery or other objects of a
     structural nature such that they cannot readily be dismembered.
        (b)  Red flags and lights.--If the distance between the
     vehicles exceeds five feet, a red flag or cloth not less than 12
     inches square shall be displayed upon the connection centered
     between the vehicles. During hours of darkness a red light shall
     be displayed at the same position in lieu of the flag or cloth.
        (c)  Deflection of trailer wheels.--Every trailer shall be
     attached to the vehicle drawing it so as to prevent the wheels
     of the trailer from deflecting more than six inches from the
     path of the drawing vehicle's wheels.
        (d)  Safety chains.--Whenever two vehicles are connected by a
     ball-and-socket type hitch, or pintle hook without a locking
     device, they shall also be connected by two safety chains of
     equal length, each safety chain having an ultimate strength at
     least equal to the gross weight of the towed vehicles. The
     safety chains shall be crossed and connected to the towed and
     towing vehicle and to the tow bar so as to prevent the tow bar
     from dropping to the ground in the event the tow bar fails or
     becomes disconnected. The safety chains shall have no more slack
     than is necessary to permit proper turning.
        (e)  Obstructed lighting equipment.--Whenever the rear
     running lights, stop lights, turn signals or hazard warning
     lights required by the provisions of Chapter 43 (relating to
     lighting equipment) are obstructed by the load on a vehicle or
     by a towed vehicle or its load, lighting equipment shall be
     displayed on the rear of the towed vehicle or load equivalent to
     the obstructed lights or signals, except in the case of
     implements of husbandry or commercial implements of husbandry
     displaying the slow-moving vehicle emblem and operating between
     sunrise and sunset.
        (f)  Penalty for violation of subsection (e).--
            (1)  A person who operates a commercial motor vehicle, as
        defined in section 1603 (relating to definitions), in
        violation of subsection (e) commits a summary offense and
        shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $300
        for each violation.
            (2)  A person who operates a motor vehicle other than a
        commercial motor vehicle, as defined in section 1603, in
        violation of subsection (e) commits a summary offense and
        shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not
        less than $50 nor more than $100.
     (June 23, 1981, P.L.98, No.35, eff. 60 days; Dec. 18, 1992,
     P.L.1411, No.174, eff. 60 days; Dec. 20, 1995, P.L.669, No.75,
     eff. 120 days)

        1995 Amendment.  Act 75 added subsec. (f).
        1992 Amendment.  Act 174 amended subsec. (e).
        Cross References.  Section 4905 is referred to in section
     4904 of this title.