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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / April 2008Towing Inoperable Vehicle 4-wheels-down - Laws? Registration? Insurance?
Hi All, I just cant seem to get a straight answer, or any help with where to look for towing laws from any local authorities. So here's my issue: I need to tow an inoperable vehicle from New Mexico to Arizona. The vehicle does not run, but it is safe to tow 4- wheels-down with a towbar and has all required items (lights, etc). The insurance and registration/tags expired on the vehicle several years ago. The truck that will tow the vehicle has current insurance, registration/tags, etc. Are there any NM/AZ laws that state I cannot tow my inoperable vehicle since it does not have current insurance/registration?? Can anyone point me to the specific law that states this? Thanks, Put in on a trailer, and no questions asked. > Hi All, > I just cant seem to get a straight answer, or any help with where to [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Thanks, Well yes, that would work, but its way out of my way to go rent a trailer. I was hoping someone would chime in and say there are no laws against toading an unregistered/uninsured vehicle. In addition, I've had several bad experiences with rentals - I trust my own vehicles much more than those trailers. > Put in on a trailer, and no questions asked. > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > - Show quoted text - }}Well yes, that would work, but its way out of my way to go rent a trailer. I was hoping someone would chime in and say there are no laws against toading an unregistered/uninsured vehicle. In addition, I've had several bad experiences with rentals - I trust my own vehicles much more than those trailers.{{{ Way back when we were playing with VWs and Ford Mustangs. I'd take the precaution to get a temp registration (usually good for 30 days) in the state were we planed to rebuild and ultimately title the car. No need for a trailer nor a concern for towing an 'unregistered' vehicle. Laws may have changed. Another option is to see what's involved in getting a used car dealer license. All else fails contact your state DMV. In article <6b1a57dc-1068-4971-984a-e00973e84941@1g2000prg.googlegroups.com>, > I trust my own vehicles much more than [rental] trailers. Amen. <sigh> I rented U-Haul's largest, tandem axle, covered trailer in the dead of winter (January?) to move my daughter, her husband and their 1 year-old son to another town 150 miles away. I put the dead-weight hitch in the receiver and went to U-Haul. I allowed them to "flip" the ball on the drawbar to attain proper towing height but NO other mods to MY stuff. We then loaded the trailer to the HILT. Then then snow came. I towed it home in heavy snow and parked it in my driveway for departure the following EARLY (dark) morning. When I got up, the temp had PLUNGED to about -5F (-20.6C). I decided to check air pressure in the four tires prior to leaving. One of the four tires had 20-lbs, the other three tires had only 5 PSI! I thanked God that I had checked and that I had a good air compressor. It was a real "treat" to have to air four, LARGE, most nearly deflated tires in such cold weather. :( When turning in the trailer at the far end, I advised the clerk about the low-pressure situation I discovered. His reaction was one of surprising disinterest. U-Haul may be the "General Motors" of the industry, but you still must always personally check the rented equipment. I'm glad I did.  Signature:) JR 2002 Silverado 2500HD Jim Redelfs <jim.redelfs@NOSPAMredelfs.com> wrote in news:jim.redelfs- AB339B.22440226042008@news.phx.highwinds-media.com: > U-Haul may be the "General Motors" of the industry, but you still must > always personally check the rented equipment. I'm glad I did. Whenever I'd rented one of their units I'd had their agent verify the tire pressure - using *my* gauge - as well as the electricals *before* I signed anything. <g> Several times this practice resulted in the agent initiating a swift exchange of trailers and, in one case, an exchange of agencies. <G> Many of their personnel have seemed to be ex-McDonald employees that may well have been fired for incompetence. > Hi All, > I just cant seem to get a straight answer, or any help with where to [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Thanks, Most, if not all, states will require that all vehicles that touch the ground must have a registration, insurance, and some kind of safety/inspection sticker. some exceptions do exist, for example some states will not require a tow dolly to have its own insurance/registration. also if the vehicle being towed is over 3,000 lbs you will need an auxiliary braking system for the "trailer". this is true for both NM/AZ. One more thing, when was the last service done on the bearings and drive train. If it has sat for several years the grease, seals, and bearings and the like, are in a degraded condition and can not be trusted in the situation you suggest. Many a time I have heard of some one having a wheel bearing catch fire because of old worn out grease. Your best bet is to use a car trailer that is designed for moving your Vehicle. > Most, if not all, states will require that all vehicles that touch the > ground must have a registration, insurance, and some kind of > safety/inspection sticker. some exceptions do exist, for example > some states will not require a tow dolly to have its own > insurance/registration. While I can't say about NM/AZ laws, the flood of vehicles (cars, trucks, busses) travelling down US-59 from Houston, TX, to Nuevo Laredo, MX, almost daily simply have the words "In Tow" written on the rear windshield and a set of magnetic towing lights on the rear. > also if the vehicle being towed is over 3,000 lbs you will need an > auxiliary braking system for the "trailer". this is true for both > NM/AZ. The OP would be well advised to make a quick call to his local Highway Patrol/State Trooper station and get the "Official Word". Many states have laws that are rarely, if ever, enforced and, indeed, their Law Enforcement personnel may be totally unaware of their existance. > One more thing, when was the last service done on the bearings and > drive train. If it has sat for several years the grease, seals, and [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Your best bet is to use a car trailer that is designed for moving your > Vehicle. Nice troll, TROLL! I see where Eric <wolfsberg74@yahoo.com> contributed: >Hi All, >I just cant seem to get a straight answer, or any help with where to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >since it does not have current insurance/registration?? Can anyone >point me to the specific law that states this? Can't answer your need to know the silly laws, but I can tell you I have towed "inoperable vehicles" with a tow bar many times, and if you have the proper lights it is very unlikely you'll be hassled. In any event, the fine for violation of some loony law is likely to be less than the cost of a trailer or registering/licensing/insuring a dead car. Will Sill The self-appointed Curmudgeon of Sill Hill > the fine for violation of some loony law Such disrespect! You shouldn't say that about the copious efforts of our fine, public servants. You must be an anarchist. Shame on you. [Fighting to maintain straight face] Signature:) JR I see where Jim Redelfs <jim.redelfs@NOSPAMredelfs.com> contributed: >> the fine for violation of some loony law JR: >Such disrespect! You shouldn't say that about the copious efforts of >our fine, public servants. > >You must be an anarchist. Shame on you. > >[Fighting to maintain straight face] Hehehehe. Truth be told, we are awash in loony laws, most of which are enforced sporadically and even capriciously. If a practice is safe and reasonable in the eyes of reasonable people, there STILL may well be laws, ordinances or regulations restricting, governing, banning or punishing it. Will Sill The self-appointed Curmudgeon of Sill Hill > Truth be told, we are awash in loony laws, most of which > are enforced sporadically and even capriciously. If a practice is > safe and reasonable in the eyes of reasonable people, there STILL may > well be laws, ordinances or regulations restricting, governing, > banning or punishing it. AH! Another supporter in my ongoing effort to have all statutes that have not resulted in an upheld conviction within 20 years to be abolished. <G> Legislators legislate - that's what they do, even when there are already multiple laws on the subject that have been in force, and enforced, for a long time. I have found there is a restricted use 3-day permit, however one of its requirements is "Compliance with mandatory vehicle insurance requirements for the State of Arizona." Doh! The vehicle will not be insured or registered until it is complete (which if I am lucky will be another 2 years). As far as safety/inspection stickers, we dont do that in NM & AZ. Smog is about all we do. You should see the heaps that drive around :-) The vehicle is WELL under 3,000 pounds. It is a 1974 Baja Bug. It will be towed behind a '94 GMC truck. Here's a pic: http://huelsmann.us/bugman/Tow_bug_02.jpg I have plenty of experience toad'ing my cars, I have towed it a half a dozen times this way (when it used to be registered/insured), and have had zero problems. I use a tow bar that I fabricated myself - if you have ever seen a commercial VW bug tow bar you know they are a joke. Mine is MUCH safer. I do all the service on my vehicles. The bug is currently under a slow, but active, restoration. Wheels & tires are new, axles & bearings are new. I have replaced/rebuilt the entire suspension. Cosmetically it may look like an unoperable vehicle, but mechanically its brand new (minus the engine/trans). Jim - I know the feeling. The last uhaul trailer I used was such a piece of junk. The trailer light wires were held together with electrical tape. I had to fix that myself. The thing was totaly unstable above 45 mph I stopped by a home-depot and threw about 500lbs of playground sand in it to try and steady it. Luckly I was able to return the sand and get my money back when I reached my destination. Wish I could say the same about the uhaul. > > Truth be told, we are awash in loony laws, most of which > > are enforced sporadically and even capriciously. If a practice is [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > multiple laws on the subject that have been in force, and enforced, for a > long time. >I have found there is a restricted use 3-day permit, however one of >its requirements is "Compliance with mandatory vehicle insurance [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] >Cosmetically it may look like an unoperable vehicle, but mechanically >its brand new (minus the engine/trans). Most insurance policies that I have had provided liability coverage for towed vehicles. You might get a permit as a trailer or, if you don't have to show proof of insurance to get the permit, just get the 3 day permit and head out. I doubt if you will have any problems. George ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com ** > Hi All, > I just cant seem to get a straight answer, or any help with where to > look for towing laws from any local authorities. > So here's my issue: I need to tow an inoperable vehicle from New > Mexico to Arizona. The vehicle does not run, but it is safe to tow 4- > wheels-down with a towbar and has all required items (lights, etc). ... I would worry first about what you are towing and what you are towing with. Towing with four down can be VERY sporty (voice of experience). The tow vehicle MUST be significantly heavier than the towed or you will find the towed vehicle taking control just when you would rather it didn't. I towed a car four down a distance of 2,000 miles- never again. We ran onto snow. When I tried to turn in to a gas station the rig jackknifed and hit a street sign damaging the front end of the towed car. Solution for getting out of the snow- the wife had to sit in the dead car and steer and brake for some 200 miles (before we ran out of the snow), a task she hasn't let me forget for now 38 years. One the last day we had such strong winds that I gave up, stopped, unhooked the car, hooked up the driveshaft and drove the last 300 miles. No matter how inconvenient, a trailer really is your best solution. While a dolly may be ok behind a big motorhome, they, too, can be sporty behind a smaller vehicle (more voice of experience). Paul Johnson > Hi All, > I just cant seem to get a straight answer, or any help with where to [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Thanks, You may be able to check the two states regs on line, but in several states, including Ca, a car that out of date and inoperable is towable any time it has wheels on the public roadway. To get released from impound in Ca back registration and penalties is often required along with tow, storage, release fees, all the fun stuff. How inoperable does the car look, will it raise any eyebrows? Some are just so obvious. I would check it first, fees if it is illegal and if you get stopped and impounded could easily top several hundred dollars. Dave
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