146Drawbar couplings

#### 146 Drawbar couplings 146 Drawbar couplings (cf ALVSR 2015 r 146; 2007 reg Sch 2 cl 166) > > (1) A coupling for attaching a trailer, except a semi-trailer or pole-type trailer, to a towing vehicle must be built and fitted so that— > > > > > (a) the coupling is equipped with a positive locking mechanism, and > > > > > (b) the positive locking mechanism can be released regardless of the angle of the trailer to the towing vehicle. > > > (2) A coupling fitted to a trailer first registered on or after 1 August 1963 must have clearly and permanently stamped, moulded or otherwise branded on its main component— > > > > > (a) means of identifying its manufacturer, and > > > > > (b) the maximum gross weight of the trailer it is designed to tow. > > > (3) If the trailer is in a combination and is not fitted with break-away brakes in accordance with rule 127(2), it must be connected to the towing vehicle by at least 1 chain, cable or other flexible device, as well as the coupling required by subrule (1). > > > (4) Any such safety connection must be as short as practicable and be so connected and affixed that— > > > > > (a) it is not liable to accidental disconnection but is readily detachable from the towing vehicle, and > > > > > (b) it permits all normal angular movements of the coupling without more slack than is necessary, and > > > > > (c) it will prevent the forward end of the drawbar from striking the ground in the event of accidental disconnection of the coupling, and > > > > > (d) if it consists of more than 1 chain or wire rope, the chains or wire ropes are in a crossed-over position, and > > > > > (e) the trailer is kept in tow if the coupling breaks or accidentally detaches. > > > (5) For the purposes of subrule (4), a safety connection between a trailer and a towing vehicle includes anything which connects the trailer and the towing vehicle. > > > > Examples of what is included in a safety connection— > > > > > • chains > > > > > • cables > > > > > • a thing fixed to a trailer or a towing vehicle to which a chain is attached > > > > > • shackles > > > (6) Any chain or wire rope in such a safety connection must— > > > > > (a) if a chain, be of welded iron links, and > > > > > (b) if a wire rope, have a strength of at least that of a chain of the same diameter, and > > > > > (c) be of a size specified in the following table— > > > > > > Table > > > > > > | Gross weight of trailer | Minimum size of chain or wire rope | > > > | Up to 500 kilograms | 6.3 millimetres diameter | > > > | Exceeding 500 kilograms but not exceeding 1.3 tonnes | 9.5 millimetres diameter | > > > | Exceeding 1.3 tonnes | 12.6 millimetres diameter |