ORS 818.150
Safety requirements for towing


This section establishes safety requirements for towing for purposes of ORS 818.160 (Violating towing safety requirements). Except where an exemption under ORS 818.170 (Exemptions from towing safety requirements) specifically provides otherwise, the safety requirements for towing are violated for purposes of ORS 818.160 (Violating towing safety requirements) if any of the following are violated:

(1)

If one vehicle is towing another, the tow bar, coupling device and other connections must be of sufficient strength to hold the weight of the towed vehicle upon any grade of highway where operated.

(2)

If one vehicle is towing another, the connections of the tow bar, coupling device and other connections must be properly mounted without excessive slack but with sufficient play to allow for universal action of the connections and provided with a suitable locking means to prevent accidental separation of the towed and towing vehicles.

(3)

If any vehicle is towing another vehicle and the connection between the vehicle is a chain, rope, cable or any flexible material, a red flag or cloth not less than 12 inches square must be displayed upon the connection.

(4)

Any vehicle being towed must not whip or swerve from side to side dangerously or unreasonably or fail to follow substantially in the path of the towing vehicle.

(5)

Any towed vehicle in a combination of vehicles must be equipped with one or more safety chains or cables that meet all of the following requirements:

(a)

The chains or cables must be so connected to the towed and towing vehicle and to the tow bar as to prevent the tow bar from dropping to the ground in the event the tow bar or coupling device fails.

(b)

The chains or cables must have a tensile strength equivalent to the loaded weight of the towed vehicle and a means of attachment to the towed and towing vehicle of sufficient strength to control the towed vehicle in event the tow bar or coupling device fails.

(c)

The chains or cables must be attached with no more slack than is necessary to permit proper turning.

(6)

Any coupling device on any towing vehicle used as a connection for the tow bar on any towed vehicle having a loaded weight in excess of 5,000 pounds shall be firmly attached to the frame or to a solid connection to the frame and not only to the bumper of the towing vehicle.

(7)

Vehicle connecting devices for any vehicle with a loaded weight of not more than 10,000 pounds must be constructed or equipped as required under minimum standards adopted by the Department of Transportation for purposes of this subsection. Standards adopted for purposes of this subsection shall conform to the current standards of the Society of Automotive Engineers or other widely accepted standards that are applicable. [1983 c.338 §522; 1985 c.16 §269; 1985 c.20 §1]

Source: Section 818.150 — Safety requirements for towing, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors818.­html.

818.010
Maximum allowable weight
818.012
Wheel load on certain vehicles
818.030
Exemptions from weight limitations
818.040
Violation of posted weight limits
818.050
Exemptions from posted weight limits
818.060
Violation of administratively imposed weight or size limits
818.070
Exemptions from administratively imposed weight or size limitations
818.080
Maximum size limits
818.100
Exemptions from size limitations
818.105
Request for unrestricted access to specified highway for overlength combination
818.110
Exceeding maximum number of vehicles in combination
818.120
Exemptions from limits on number of vehicles in combinations
818.130
Violation of posted limits on use
818.140
Exemptions from posted use limits
818.150
Safety requirements for towing
818.160
Violating towing safety requirements
818.170
Exemptions from towing safety requirements
818.200
Authority to issue variance permits
818.205
Continuous operation variance permit
818.210
Limits on authority to issue variance permit
818.220
Requirements, conditions and procedures for issuance of variance permit
818.225
Road use assessment fee for single-trip nondivisible load permittee
818.230
Sifting or leaking load permit
818.235
Permit for wide load of hay bales
818.240
Dragging permit
818.250
Permit for fire company warning lights
818.260
Permit for use of bus safety lights on certain buses
818.270
Fees for permits
818.300
Operating with sifting or leaking load
818.310
Exemptions from prohibition on sifting and leaking load
818.320
Dragging objects on highway
818.330
Exemptions from prohibition on dragging objects on highway
818.340
Operating in violation of variance permit
818.350
Failure to carry and display variance permit
818.400
Failure to comply with commercial vehicle enforcement requirements
818.410
Civil liability for certain violations
818.420
Penalties for certain violations
818.430
Penalties for violation of weight requirements
818.440
Penalty for procuring, aiding or abetting violation of this chapter
818.450
Civil penalty for violations of chapter
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