136Drawbar couplings

136 Drawbar couplings

(1)  A coupling for attaching a light 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)  If the light trailer in a combination –

(a) is a pig trailer; or

(b) is not fitted with breakaway brakes in accordance with regulation 115  –

it must be connected to the towing vehicle by at least one chain, cable or other flexible device, as well as the coupling required by subregulation (1) .

(3)  The connection referred to in subregulation (2) must be built and fitted so that –

(a) the light trailer is kept in tow if the coupling breaks or accidentally detaches; and

(b) normal angular movement of the coupling is permitted without unnecessary slack.

(4)  If practicable, the connection referred to in subregulation (2) must be built and fitted so that the drawbar of the light trailer is prevented from hitting the ground if the coupling accidentally detaches.

(5)  For the purposes of subregulations (3) and (4) , a connection between a light trailer and a towing vehicle includes anything which connects the light trailer and the towing vehicle.

| Examples of things that may be included in a connection: | Chains, cables, a thing fixed to a trailer of a towing vehicle to which a chain is attached, shackles |