Western Australian Repealed Regulations

This legislation has been repealed.

ROAD TRAFFIC (VEHICLE STANDARDS) REGULATIONS 1977 - REG 1302

1302 .         Trailer couplings general specifications

        (1)         Where a trailer, not being a pole-type trailer, is attached to a motor vehicle by means of a coupling and drawbar that controls the movement of the trailer, the coupling and drawbar, between the motor vehicle and the trailer, shall be so constructed and fitted that — 

            (a)         it permits an adequate amount of angular movement between the alignment of the motor vehicle and the trailer while in motion;

            (b)         the strength of the coupling and drawbar is sufficient to draw the gross mass of the trailer and its load;

            (c)         the coupling is equipped with a manually operated mechanism so constructed as to prevent accidental disengagement of the unit while in operation;

            (d)         the positive locking mechanism prescribed by paragraph (c) is so designed that it can be disconnected regardless of the angle of the trailer to the towing motor vehicle; and

            (e)         the brackets, or other means of securing the forward portion of the couplings to the motor vehicle and the rearward portion of the coupling and the drawbar to the trailer, are of sufficient strength to take the gross mass inclusive of load, if any, of the trailer while being towed.

        (2)         In addition to the coupling prescribed by, and fitted in accordance with the requirements of, subregulation (1)(a) to (e), a safety connection, consisting of 2 chains, to hold the trailer in tow, in the event of failure or accidental detachment of the trailer coupling, shall be so fitted to a substantial portion of the motor vehicle and to the frame or other substantial portion of the trailer that — 

            (a)         it is not liable to accidental disconnection and permits all normal angular movements of the coupling, without more slack than is necessary;

            (b)         the chains are as short as practicable and fitted in a crossed over position so as to prevent the forward end of the drawbar from striking the ground in the event of accidental disconnection of the coupling;

            (c)         the forward ends of the chains are attached as near to the pivot of the coupling as practicable; and

            (d)         the chains conform to the size prescribed in column 2 of the Table to this subregulation, for the corresponding gross mass of the towed trailer, caravan or other vehicle, inclusive of the load, if any, as is specified in column 1 of the Table.

The Table

Item	Column 1 Gross Mass	Column 2 Minimum Size of Chain
1	Up to but not exceeding 0.5 tonne ........................	6 mm diameter
2	Exceeding 0.5 tonne but not exceeding 1.25 tonnes ...........................................................	9 mm diameter
3	Exceeding 1.25 tonnes but not exceeding 3 tonnes	12 mm diameter
4	Exceeding 3 tonnes ...............................................	15 mm diameter

        (3)         Where hooks, known as ramshorns, are used for attaching the chains referred to in subregulation (2), the initial bend of the hook, at the point of attachment, shall be upwards and be constructed of material of a diameter at least 3 millimetres greater than the diameter of the chains prescribed in subregulation (2)(d).

        (4)         Where rings and shackles are used for attaching the chains referred to in subregulation (2), the rings and shackles shall be made of steel of a diameter at least as great as the diameter of the chains prescribed in subregulation (2)(d).

        (5)         The provisions of subregulations (2), (3) and (4) do not apply to a towed vehicle fitted with breakaway equipment in accordance with regulation 603.