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169.82 TRAILER EQUIPMENT.
    Subdivision 1. Connection to towing vehicle. (a) When one vehicle is towing another the
drawbar or other connection must be of sufficient strength to pull the weight being towed.
(b) The drawbar or other connection may not exceed 15 feet from one vehicle to the other.
This paragraph does not apply to the connection between any two vehicles transporting poles,
pipe, machinery or other objects of structural nature which cannot readily be dismembered.
    Subd. 2. Marking. When one vehicle is towing another and the connection consists of a
chain, rope, or cable, the connection must display a white, red, yellow, or orange flag or cloth not
less than 12 inches square.
    Subd. 3. Hitch, chain, or cable. (a) Every trailer or semitrailer must be hitched to the towing
motor vehicle by a device approved by the commissioner of public safety.
(b) Every trailer and semitrailer must be equipped with safety chains or cables permanently
attached to the trailer except in cases where the coupling device is a regulation fifth wheel and
kingpin assembly approved by the commissioner of public safety. In towing, the chains or cables
must be attached to the vehicles near the points of bumper attachments to the chassis of each
vehicle, and must be of sufficient strength to control the trailer in the event of failure of the towing
device. The length of chain or cable must be no more than necessary to permit free turning of the
vehicles. A minimum fine of $25 must be imposed for a violation of this paragraph.
(c) This subdivision does not apply to towed implements of husbandry.
(d) No person may be charged with a violation of this section solely by reason of violating a
maximum speed prescribed in section 169.145 or 169.67.
History: (2720-274) 1937 c 464 s 124; 1939 c 430 s 26; 1943 c 226 s 2; 1945 c 207 s 8; 1971
c 491 s 33; 1973 c 10 s 1; 1988 c 636 s 11; 1993 c 187 s 18; 1996 c 455 art 3 s 20; 1998 c 403 s 16

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes