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Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:38 pm

Do any of you guys tow your off road rigs all 4 wheels down? What kind of permit does one need to tow it that way, if it is not licensed, in most states anyway?
Thanks,
Dan

Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:57 pm

In my state, NC, IIRC all you would need is the proper lights. I've never towed a full car but that's how it is with pans.

Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:59 pm

buzzboy wrote: In my state, NC, IIRC all you would need is the proper lights. I've never towed a full car but that's how it is with pans.

http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

I use a tow bar in CA, but they should be illegal since the bug is 1800lbs. You need trailer brakes for anything over 1500lbs. in CA. I also have a tow dolly without brakes on it. I've pulled 3000 pound vehicles around with. I don't know how much enforcement there is on this stuff.

Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:10 pm

Thanks. What I need to know is how legal is it to tow a car without plates. I am towing my baja behind the motorhome. I have to get it back to Mo. before I can get the dang tags. Really messed up deal. Tried to get em from here but they did not want to do that. Told me to buy a permit or something. I am going through several states with it.
I have all of the legal tow equipment, including brakes as we normally tow our Vibe GT. Just don't want to get busted before I get the thing home and legal.
Dan

Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:43 pm

WD0AFQ wrote: Thanks. What I need to know is how legal is it to tow a car without plates. I am towing my baja behind the motorhome. I have to get it back to Mo. before I can get the dang tags. Really messed up deal. Tried to get em from here but they did not want to do that. Told me to buy a permit or something. I am going through several states with it.
I have all of the legal tow equipment, including brakes as we normally tow our Vibe GT. Just don't want to get busted before I get the thing home and legal.
Dan

I would just make the run. If you get stopped, tell them your story. Most states want to see a registered car if it's on the road. Some only require registration if you are "operating" it on their roads. You could call the DMV for each state you are driving through to see if they have a special moving permit. These are usually used for PNO cars, but if you're worried check it out. Write down the names and numbers of anyone you talk to if they tell you not to worry about it. You can give it to the cops if they stop you.

www.dmv.org is a good site for info and contact numbers.

Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:28 pm

Suggest you contact your local DMV and ask what the legalities are...

You may want to check for towing requirements on this site...

http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/

IN Calif, you CAN NOT legally flat tow a vehicle unless it has current registration and plates, along with lights and whatever.... It varies from state to state....

Dale

Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:45 am

Lotrat wrote:

I use a tow bar in CA, but they should be illegal since the bug is 1800lbs.

That's utter and complete BS propaganda put out there to sell tow brake equipment... at least for CA. Cars DO NOT require aux brakes in California. TRAILERS over 1500 lbs do. A car is not a trailer, even when towed.

Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:51 am

57baja wrote: Lotrat wrote:

I use a tow bar in CA, but they should be illegal since the bug is 1800lbs.

That's utter and complete BS propaganda put out there to sell tow brake equipment... at least for CA. Cars DO NOT require aux brakes in California. TRAILERS over 1500 lbs do. A car is not a trailer, even when towed.

Is a tow dolly considered a trailer? I'm sure this is gonna be up all up to interpretation buy the cop that pulls you over. I've never had an issue with either. I've never heard of anyone ever being pulled over either. You're right about the BS. The aux braking companies are all over it.

Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:01 am

I tow my sandrail with a towbar in Ok.The rules are pretty lax here. lights are not even required if the tow vehicles lights are visible. I will not even go into how easy it was to tag it.

Fri Sep 12, 2008 2:49 pm

in virginia , i tow my sand rail, and all that is required is that i run brake ,tail and turn lights, like a trailer. told to me by a state trooper.

Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:33 pm

Lotrat wrote:

Is a tow dolly considered a trailer?

Yes. A trailer by definition is a vehicle that is not designed to be driven under its own power. That's not the exact verbiage, but it's close. I've looked into this before at great length, and spoken to numerous police officers about it. I don't have the code book here at home, but it's in my desk at work if it's all that important to anyone.

Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:47 pm

For reference: In CA you CAN flat tow a sandrail, IF it is currently registered (green sticker). I emailed CHP about this and that it how they responded. They didn't say anything about lights or DOT tires, but I'm sure that is somewhere else in the vehicle code. I have done this for a whole season and even had a CHP right behind me and I didn't get pulled over.
--Tim

Sat Sep 13, 2008 6:56 am

I pulled a bug from FL to NM w/o a tag using a towbar and just the magnetic lights, 1500 miles with out any hassles. When I do get pulled over (rarely) I'm polite and plead ignorance for stuff like that, never really run into an AH cop, they've all be pretty cool.

Sat Sep 13, 2008 9:07 am

For those in California.... Here is online DMV codes....

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc.htm

Check out "T" for towing and trailers....

Dale

Sat Sep 13, 2008 11:16 am

In CA...
-------------------------
Operation on Highway
38025
(d) A motor vehicle identified pursuant to Section 38010 may be towed upon a highway, but not driven, if the vehicle displays a plate or device issued pursuant to Section 38160.

Issuance of Identification Plates
38160. The department, upon identifying an off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification, shall issue to the owner a suitable identification plate or device which is capable of being attached to the vehicle in such a manner so as to not endanger the operator or passengers of the vehicle, and which shall identify the vehicle for which it is issued for the period of its validity.
-------------------------

It does not state that the registration needs to be current. You just need plates. That's how I read it anyway...

Sat Sep 13, 2008 11:06 pm

requires california licencse plate not ohv sticker mount plate. if any part of the vehicle is in contact with the street the vehicle must be ca. street registered or towed in a manner no part of the vehicle is in contact with the road. and the trailer carrying it must be currently registered with stop,running turn and licensce plate light. :shock: pretty sure.

Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:08 am

It is the same in AZ if the wheels are on the ground it must be registered and insured. I built a T trailer to tow mine before I made it street legal.

Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:35 pm

Lotrat wrote: In CA...
-------------------------
Operation on Highway
38025
(d) A motor vehicle identified pursuant to Section 38010 may be towed upon a highway, but not driven, if the vehicle displays a plate or device issued pursuant to Section 38160.

Issuance of Identification Plates
38160. The department, upon identifying an off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification, shall issue to the owner a suitable identification plate or device which is capable of being attached to the vehicle in such a manner so as to not endanger the operator or passengers of the vehicle, and which shall identify the vehicle for which it is issued for the period of its validity.
-------------------------

It does not state that the registration needs to be current. You just need plates. That's how I read it anyway...

The registration has to be current, whether it is a trailer, car, sandrail, etc.

Here is that email I got from CHP when I asked about flat towing a rail:

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: In response to your e-mail
Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 16:27:23 -0700
From: CVS CVS <CVS@chp.ca.gov>
To:

This is in response to your e-mail dated October 4, 2006, regarding towing an off-road vehicle with a green sticker on the highway.

In response to your question, yes, it would be legal to tow an off-highway vehicle, which has been issued and is displaying a current identification device, on the highway. Section 38025 (d) of the California Vehicle Code (VC) allows motor vehicles identified as "off-highway vehicles" pursuant to Section 38010 VC, to be towed upon a highway, but not driven, if the vehicle displays a plate or device issued pursuant to Section 38160 VC.

Thank you for the opportunity to assist you with this matter. Should you desire further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Officer Robert Sanchez, of my staff, at
(916) 445-1865.

Sincerely,

R. PATRICK, Captain
Commander
Commercial Vehicle Section

Also, I'm sure that you need to carry the accompanying registration paper for your green sticker. It's just like how for street legal vehicles you have a sticker on your license plate and the registration paper that you keep in the vehicle.

--Tim

Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:05 pm

Hey man, thanks. I am glad I am out of California already and almost in New Mexico. MAde sure I obeyed all traffic laws. No ticket.
Dan