§ 33-150.9. Trailers towed by passenger vehicle, attachment.

(a)

Except as otherwise provided in subsection (e), a passenger vehicle or a pickup truck shall not be driven upon a highway drawing or having attached to the passenger vehicle or pickup truck more than one (1) vehicle or trailer.

(b)

The drawbar or other connection between two (2) vehicles, one (1) of which is towing or drawing the other on a highway, shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in length from one (1) vehicle to the other. If the connection consists of a chain, rope, or cable, there shall be a red flag or other signal or cloth on the connection that is at least twelve (12) inches both in length and width.

(c)

A vehicle or trailer towed or drawn by a vehicle shall be attached to the vehicle with coupling devices in a manner so that when the combination is operated in a linear alignment on a level, smooth, paved surface, the movement of the towed or drawn vehicle or trailer does not deviate more than three (3) inches to either side of the path of the towing vehicle that tows or draws it. The vehicle or trailer shall also be connected to the towing vehicle by suitable safety chains or devices, one (1) on each side of the coupling and at the extreme outer edge of the vehicle or trailer. Each chain or device and connection used shall be of sufficient strength to haul the vehicle or trailer when loaded. In the case of an implement of husbandry with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of ten thousand (10,000) pounds or less, the safety chains or devices required under this subsection shall conform to the federal motor carrier safety regulations requirements, which are currently provided in 49 C.F.R. 393.70(d)(5).

(d)

A pickup truck with a fifth wheel assembly shall not tow a semitrailer unless the fifth wheel assembly conforms to the standards prescribed in the Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1963, 1963 PA 181, MCL 480.11 to MCL 480.22 and sections 33-151.1 to 33-151.19 of this article.

(e)

Notwithstanding subsection (a), a pickup truck with a towing rating equal to or greater than the weight being towed, that is equipped with a fifth wheel assembly that conforms with the standards prescribed in the Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1963,1963 PA 181, MCL 480.11 to MCL 480.22, which is towing a semitrailer that is designated for recreational living purposes, may tow an additional trailer or semitrailer under the following conditions:

(1)

The additional trailer or semitrailer shall be attached as set forth in subsection (c). The safety chains described in subsection (c) shall be securely attached at the extreme outer edge of the attached trailer or semitrailer with a locking mechanism. The towing vehicle hitch shall be of substantial material and shall be attached in a proper and skillful manner to the frame of the towing vehicle.

(2)

The total length of the pickup truck, plus the semitrailer that is designed for recreational living purposes, and the additional trailer or semitrailer, and the load of the vehicle, shall not exceed sixty-five (65) feet while on any highway in the city.

(3)

The gross weight of the additional trailer or semitrailer towed or drawn shall not exceed the empty weight of the pickup truck or the empty weight of the semitrailer.

(f)

For the purpose of this section, a pickup truck towing a semitrailer and an additional trailer shall be considered a passenger vehicle and shall comply with the speed limit requirements of MCL 257.627(5).

(g)

A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

(Ord. No. 746, § 2, 9-3-13)