Weight Ratings of Ball Hitch Systems or Adjustable Channel Mount Couplers
| Entry Date | October 21, 2013 |
|---|---|
| Issue Number | 13-043-VEH |
| Name | Ofc. Alexis Crockett |
| Agency | Garland Police Dept. |
| Address | 1891 Forest LaneGarland, TX, 75042United StatesMap It (opens in a new tab) |
| Phone | 972-205-4061 |
| Fax | (972) 485-4808 |
| [email protected] | |
| Committee | Vehicle Committee |
| Status | Closed |
| Summary of Issue | I recently conducted an inspection of a Ford F-350 flatbed towing a bumper pull flatbed trailer. The truck had a ball hitch system with a 6000 lb weight rating. The trailer had an adjustable channel mount coupler (photos attached) with a gross weight rating of 12,500 lbs. The trailer had a gross vehicle weight rating of 14,000 lbs. In correspondance with representatives of Curt Manufacturing and Cequent Perfomance Products (manufacturers of adjustable channel mount couplers), excluding the ball hitch system, the trailer's coupler is the weakest link being that its weight rating is lower than the g.v.w.r. on the trailer and should not be used. |
| Justification or Need | There is nothing mentioned in the OOSC regarding the use of a ball hitch system or an adjustable channel mount coupler that has a lower weight rating than the vehicle being towed. 393.70(c)(1)speaks on tow bars being structurally adequate for the weight being drawn(full trailers). Nothing is mentioned on semi trailers. Would this be considered a violation at all? If it is a violation should it also considered an OOS condition? |
| Request for Action | Add OOS condition to the Hitch Systems section of the Coupling Devices OOSC if the use of a ball hitch system and or an adjustable channel mount coupler with a lower weight rating than that of the towed vehicle is present during a roadside inspection. |