Towing of motor vehicles20.1. Towing on rigid or flexible hitch should be carried out only if there is a driver behind the wheel of the towed vehicle, except for cases when the design of the rigid hitch ensures that the towed vehicle follows the trajectory of the towing vehicle during rectilinear movement.
A comment
The rules for towing motor vehicles are set out in chapter 20. Thus, the requirements of this chapter do not apply, for example, to cases of driving with a trailer. In addition, a road train consisting of a power-driven vehicle and a trailer (semi-trailer) is considered as one transport unit within the framework of the Rules.
In accordance with clause 20.1, towing on a rigid or flexible hitch must be carried out only if there is a driver behind the wheel of the towed vehicle. The exception is cases when the design of a rigid hitch during rectilinear movement ensures that the towed vehicle follows the trajectory of the towing vehicle.
When towing on a rigid hitch, the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle are connected to each other by a rigid towing device, for example, a metal bar or a triangle with lugs. Towing on a flexible hitch is carried out using a special cable, rope or tape, on which red flags with white diagonal stripes are fixed every meter.
In addition, in accordance with the Rules to warn road users of the danger that may be created by vehicle, on a towed motor vehicle, regardless of the time of day, must be switched on alarm, and in case of its malfunction, a sign must be strengthened behind emergency stop(clause 7.3). The speed of movement when towing mechanical vehicles should not exceed 50 km/h.
20.2. When towing on a flexible or rigid hitch, it is prohibited to transport people in a towed bus, trolleybus and in the body of a towed truck, and when towing by partial loading, it is prohibited for people to be in the cab or body of a towed vehicle, as well as in the body of a towing vehicle.
A comment
As stated in paragraph 20.2 of the Rules, in order to ensure traffic safety when towing on a flexible or rigid hitch, it is prohibited to transport people in a towed bus, trolleybus and in the back of a towed truck. When towing by partial loading, it is prohibited for people to be in the cab or body of the towed vehicle, as well as in the body of the towing vehicle.
The method of towing by partial loading assumes that the front or rear wheels lift the car off the road special device or placed in the back of a towing vehicle.
20.3. When towing on a flexible hitch, the distance between the towing and towed vehicles must be within 4–6 m, and when towing on a rigid hitch, no more than 4 m.
The flexible link must be marked in accordance with paragraph 9 of the Basic Provisions.
A comment
In accordance with paragraph 20.3, when towing on a flexible hitch, the distance between the towing and towed vehicles must be within 4–6 m, and when towing on a rigid hitch, no more than 4 m.
Warning devices for designating flexible connecting links when towing motor vehicles should be made in the form of flags or shields measuring 200 x 200 mm with red and white alternating stripes 50 mm wide applied diagonally with a retroreflective surface. At least 2 warning devices must be installed on the flexible link.
20.4. Towing is prohibited:
vehicles that do not have steering(towing by partial loading method is allowed);
two or more vehicles;
vehicles with invalid braking system if their actual mass is more than half of the actual mass of the towing vehicle. At less actual weight towing of such vehicles is allowed only on a rigid hitch or by partial loading;
motorcycles without side trailer, as well as such motorcycles;
in icy conditions on a flexible hitch.
An indispensable car accessory, a rigid hitch for cars assembled and laid with your own hands, as they say "for a rainy day", you may need it at any time. However, there are no requirements for new car, which has traveled 200 or more thousand kilometers. A car is a set of mechanisms and electronics connected into one whole, and there is no guarantee against a sudden breakdown of one of them.
Why is she so needed?
rigid hitch for cars with your own hands, drawn on a drawing and assembled with a minimal set of tools, can help you out on the road. It folds easily and stows away in the trunk, taking up almost no space there. And everyone can probably imagine the role in towing. First of all, this is the possibility of towing itself. Breaking down along the way, if you find stranger who expressed a desire to "drag" you to right place, you should not count on him to give you his cable. In addition, it is possible that with heavy movement you will not hit your opponent in rear bumper, when towing on a soft hitch.
Important! According to the Rules of the Road of the Russian Federation, a rigid hitch must have a length of no more than 4 m. In this case, a decrease in this value is allowed, but not an increase in any way.
Detailed manual
As mentioned earlier, you can make a rigid hitch at home. You must first create detailed diagram design, which will indicate all the nuances of the finished product. You can make it yourself, starting from the numerous information and photographs presented on the Internet.
Lite version
In order to always have it with you, it is recommended to make a folding one. Therefore, for this you can use 3 cut steel pipes with a diameter of at least 16 and no more than 60 mm. The length of each of them should be about 1 m. Such dimensions will allow even a light truck, such as a Gazelle, to be pulled. The middle link is connected by two bolts on each side, it is better to make hinges at the points of contact. From the ends of each extreme rod, a head with a washer is welded, fixed with a bolt.
This is the simplest option for manufacturing a rigid hitch, applied to vehicles weighing no more than 4.5 tons. Among the main advantages, the mobility of the device can be distinguished. It is stored unassembled luggage compartment, practically does not take up space in it, but is assembled in a matter of minutes. The disadvantage is the weak structural properties of the product, which do not allow its use for transportation to long distance.
Interesting! For the convenience of coupling with a towing vehicle, a removable bracket for connecting to a towbar can be installed on the upper section, similar to that found on trailers.
Foldable towing triangle
A simple tool for safely towing a car, without fear of getting into a traffic accident, due to its inexperience, suitable for vehicles with a vertical or horizontal arrangement eyes. For its manufacture, similar pipes of greater length are used. Alternatively, a high-quality connection is allowed by welding. However, in this case, there is no longer such a guarantee in the integrity of the structure in its direct use.
2 rods are connected in the form of a triangle using a tightening bracket, and in the middle a connecting jumper is made with holes for bolts, which allows you to change the angle depending on design features towed vehicle and the location of its eyes. Such a device fully complies with safety requirements.
Interesting! A device of two pipes connected together on one side is called an "A-shaped rigid hitch".
Traffic rules and towing
Towing a car is allowed only if there is a driver in it, the only exception is the options for a strong fixation in the “A-shaped” way, when the option of a spontaneous change in the trajectory of movement is excluded. In addition, there should be no passengers in the towed vehicle, and an additional cable or chain is required for insurance in case of a break.
If you were stopped by a traffic police officer and asked to provide a certificate for a home-made hitch, you can safely answer him that there are no such requirements in the traffic rules yet and this question is not relevant. Therefore, he will not be able to write a fine for this.
Important! Recently, amendments to the Rules regarding the towing of vehicles have come into force. Now a driver who does not have driving experience for more than 2 years cannot drive a car that “drags” another one behind him.
We bring to your attention several key conditions for ensuring the safe towing of your car or the towing of a third-party car by you in case of need.
First, let's refresh our memory of what is said about towing in the SDA.
Towing of motor vehicles
Towing on a rigid or flexible hitch should be carried out only if there is a driver behind the wheel of the towed vehicle, except when the design of the rigid hitch ensures that the towed vehicle follows the trajectory of the towing vehicle during straight motion (Section 20, paragraph 20.1 of the SDA).
When towing on a flexible or rigid hitch, it is prohibited to transport people in a towed bus, trolleybus and in the body of a towed truck, and when towing by partial loading, it is prohibited for people to be in the cab or body of a towed vehicle, as well as in the body of a towing vehicle (Section 20, paragraph 20.2 SDA).
When towing on a flexible hitch, the distance between the towing and towed vehicles must be within 4-6 m, and when towing on a rigid hitch, no more than 4 m. 20.3 SDA).
Towing is prohibited:(Section 20, paragraph 20.4 of the SDA)
- vehicles that do not have steering control (towing by partial loading is allowed);
- two or more vehicles;
vehicles with an inoperative brake system, if their actual mass is more than half of the actual mass of the towing vehicle (if the actual mass is lower, towing of such vehicles is allowed only on a rigid hitch or by partial loading; motorcycles without a side trailer, as well as such motorcycles; in icy conditions on flexible hitch).
A few more important paragraphs can be found in the "Basic provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the obligation officials security traffic":
Warning devices for designating flexible connecting links when towing motor vehicles should be made in the form of flags or shields measuring 200 x 200 mm with red and white alternating stripes 50 mm wide applied diagonally with a retroreflective surface.
At least two warning devices must be installed on the flexible link.
The design of a rigid towing device must comply with the requirements of GOST 25907-89.
This completes the quotes. Let's get to the descriptive part.
We will not consider the so-called rigid hitch, but everyone should have a flexible link in the trunk. It's about the rope. She is" tow rope", she's a "strap", she's a "tie".
Steel products, i.e. steel cables for ordinary citizens are not suitable. Let's leave them to tractor drivers and truck drivers. We will use a cable made of polypropylene, nylon or other similar synthetics. The length of the SDA cable is regulated from 4 to 6 meters. The shorter, the easier it is to maneuver in tight spaces, but less comfortable when towing long distances. At the ends of the cable there must be either hooks, or the so-called. shakly - staples with a kingpin. The latter are more reliable, but less convenient.
So, we cling. Where? For what?
Each vehicle has a towing point. Often - both in front and behind. Sometimes they are covered with plastic covers, sometimes you need to screw in the towing eye first. Read the instructions. Have you read? Got it? Found? We cling. Take care of your manicure!
- The rope must always be taut so as not to get under the wheels. This is easily achieved either when driving uphill, or by almost constant braking of the "trailer".
- The tug must think for two. Those. consider overall length"road trains" during maneuvers. You must carefully look in all 4 directions to prevent another car or pedestrian from trying to wedge between you.
- "Trailer" should also think for two. Those. take into account the total length of the "road train" when maneuvering. You must carefully look in all 4 directions to prevent another car or pedestrian from trying to wedge between you.
- The tug brakes independently only in emergency cases. In normal cases, it only indicates braking by blinking its "stop lights", and the "trailer" with its brakes already stops the "road train", keeping the cable taut and taking into account the length of the "road train".
- When towing, the "trailer" must have an emergency flasher on, and the tug must have low beams. It should be remembered that when idle engine the alarm will quickly drain the battery.
- Before you start driving, it is important not to forget to unlock steering column"trailer". This is usually achieved by turning the ignition key to the "ignition" position.
- When pulling away, the tug must first take up the slack in the tow rope very slowly and smoothly.
- Car towing with automatic transmission has its important features. Read the instructions.
When towing a car with a non-working engine, it should be remembered that neither the power steering nor the brake booster is working. At first, it may even seem that both were refused. No panic. Push and twist harder.
All clear? Hooked on? Go!
Scriptio: Gennady Zvonov, technical consultant.
Such a road accessory, like a do-it-yourself rigid hitch for cars, can be useful to every driver in emergency. Especially if you have to travel a lot between cities, along highways and country roads. However, not everyone pays due attention to this type of towing due to its apparent bulkiness and difficulty in fastening, preferring an ordinary cable to it.
One cannot but agree that a cable is a necessary thing and can even be very useful in the automotive industry, but there are breakdowns when it is simply forbidden to tow a car on a cable or chain. The main one is problems with the brake of the towed car.
According to the traffic rules, then transportation should be carried out only partial loading or JS. And this is one of those unpleasant situations that can arise in long road. For example, the brakes failed, the corresponding fluid leaked out, and it is not possible to fix it on your own. Do not call an expensive tow truck to tow your car to the nearest service station, which can be located tens of kilometers from the scene of the accident.
And if a device for ZhS is stored in your trunk, then the problem is solved much easier: any fairly heavy car that has a towbar or other stationary mount can help you out (well, or you can save someone, respectively, from spending the night in the steppe ).
A do-it-yourself rigid hitch for cars is made quite simply if you have an idea of \u200b\u200bwhat welding and the corresponding tools are, you know how to work according to drawings and have a desire to have such a device in your arsenal. We will tell you more about how to build it in our article.
Some rules for towing on ZhS
It should be remembered, when transporting a passenger car that is in trouble, that according to the traffic rules, towing must still be carried out if there is a driver in the towed vehicle (the exception is cases when the design of the ZhS involves following the auto trajectory of the leading car). Simply put, if you are going to tow another car alone, then it must be fixed with a triangular rigid hitch, like a trailer, and follow all the maneuvers of the main car.
It is also prohibited to carry passengers during towing, and for safety reasons (in case God forbid the ZhS comes off) there must also be a connected cable or chain.
By the way, a lot of questions are asked about the certification of homemade rigid hitches. So, nothing is specifically written about this in the rules of the road, so the requirements road services presenting the relevant permits is not entirely legal.
It is still not possible to tow a heavier vehicle if it does not have a brake system, and speed limits exist within 50 km / h.
Device types
Modern ZhS for passenger cars, manufactured by manufacturing companies, come in several designs:
- in the form of a rod, which is disassembled into 3 components;
- in the form of a collapsible triangle, fixed on 3 points of support.
Step-by-step instruction
The first thing you need is a detailed drawing of the rigid hitch you are going to build. You can draw it yourself (if you are versed in this matter), or you can rummage around the Internet and find there a lot of suitable options for every taste.
The DD rules limit the length of a rigid hitch - 4 m (no more, less - possible). So, if you are going to make a device in the form of a folding bar, 3 trims will be enough steel pipe, each of which is a little over a meter long. The diameter of each rod varies from 20 to 50 mm, depending on the make and weight of the machine to be towed. The middle part is fixed with a pair of bolts on each side, the joints are articulated. At the ends of the extreme rods there are heads with brackets fastened with bolts.
Such a lightweight version of the ZhS is suitable for almost any passenger car and even for minibuses of small mass. Of the benefits: the device is assembled and disassembled easily, packed in a case and stored up to right occasion in any, not even too much large trunk machines, occupying a meager place there. Of the minuses: it is not strong enough, and towing long distances with it is not recommended.
If you need a more powerful rigid hitch, you can build a triangle of two rods, between which a cross member is welded from a corner. Rods are made of a pipe with a diameter of 20-50 mm. The crossbar is welded in the middle of the structure to give it additional rigidity. Fastening in a sharp top under a turnbuckle (prolonged with a bracket).
Main disadvantage: ZhS is initially “sharpened” only under this car, since the distance of the eyelets is not adjustable. But there is a way out so that a do-it-yourself rigid hitch for cars becomes universal: do not weld the crossbar, but make the structure in free play- collapsible on swivel mounts. Then, in principle, it can be attached to any car with both vertical and horizontal towing eyes.
Motorists often have to help each other out - “pull out” a stuck car, start it, and also tow a broken car to the place of repair.
Usually, a tow rope is used for these operations. But there are times when you have to use a rigid hitch even for cars. For example, the Rules of the Road prohibit towing on a flexible hitch if the towed car does not have a working brake system.
In such cases, towing on a rigid hitch helps, which allows you to keep a fixed distance between cars and prevent them from colliding, for example, when braking.
Before considering in detail possible options designs of rigid coupling devices, we will only mention that there are two of their options - with two and three attachment points. First, let's dwell on the requirements for towing with a rigid hitch of traffic rules.
First of all, traffic rules prohibit towing in any case, if the steering of the towed car is faulty - it can only be transported by partial or full loading.
Sometimes they write that when hitching with three attachment points, it is not necessary for the driver to be behind the wheel of a towed car - this is an erroneous idea that contradicts the requirements of traffic rules.
The driving experience of the driver of the towing car must be at least 2 years. The dimensions of the rigid hitch must be such that the distance between the machines is no more than 4 meters.
The mass of a towed car with an inoperative brake system should not exceed half the mass of the "tug".
How to properly tow a car
Universal rigid hitch
Towing on a rigid hitch, so to speak, is more comfortable than with a cable - there are no jerks that occur when it sags. But in both cases, moderation is required when driving a “tractor”.
First of all, the driver of the “tractor” must take into account that the load on his car increases significantly. Therefore, to avoid overloading the engine and transmission, do not drive in sport mode, that is, to avoid sharp accelerations, and generally maneuver as carefully as possible. Even a fixed length of a rigid hitch, if it saves you from being hit from behind by a towed machine when hard braking, then, if you do not take into account the increased mass of a car with a trailer, you run the risk of "catching up" with the car stopped in front.
Recommended speed mode when towing - no more than 50 km / h, but in case of adverse road conditions, you can reduce the speed.
When towing cars with automatic transmission or such cars, it is generally better not to exceed 30 km / h, and when long trips take breaks to cool off transmission oil and gearbox parts.
All-wheel drive cars with automatic transmission preferably transported by tow truck.
Varieties of rigid coupling devices
Universal rigid hitch for a car
This type of hitch is commonly called a "bar". Its device is elementary and does not require special explanations. It is attached to the regular car loops, designed for towing cables.
Rigid hitch "triangle"
Rigid hitch type "Triangle"
Such a performance hitch less versatile, since not all cars have ready-made loops for attaching it.
But, firstly, such couplings are on sale, already adapted to specific model cars, and, secondly, you can make a similar rigid hitch for a car with your own hands.
Although the price of a rigid hitch for a car is usually low - from 2,000 rubles for a "rod" to 4,500 rubles for a "triangle", you can make a drawing of a rigid hitch yourself, after carefully measuring between the attachment points (although a sketch is quite enough).
Well, then, if you have a “grinder”, welding and a drill at your disposal, the question of how to make a rigid hitch for your passenger car will, as they say, be a “technical matter”.
