The rules doesn't really matter.
how's the saying go "It's only against the law if your caught"
the OP said he's an Engineer.
I can only hope he's involved in developing
chinese toys and/or Microsoftware, rather than military or worse yet
medical devices. ;-)
Grumman-581 wrote:

> <crossposting-snipped>
>
> "Richard J Kinch" <kinch@truetex.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns975C1915315CAsomeconundrum@216.196.97.131. ..
>
>>Read the law. I cited it earlier. Florida makes absolutely no specific
>>technical requirements for hitches, only that you have "sufficient
>
> strength
>
>>to pull all weight towed" and that you have safety chains or other 49 CFR
>>devices. You can tow with overcooked spaghetti if it has "sufficient
>>strength".
>
>
> Mike Romain is from Canada... It's quite possible that the leftist
> government up there has different rules than we have down here...
> Personally, I would go with a stronger solution, but that's just my
> standards of engineering...
>
>

 

The rules doesn't really matter.
how's the saying go "It's only against the law if your caught"
the OP said he's an Engineer.
I can only hope he's involved in developing
chinese toys and/or Microsoftware, rather than military or worse yet
medical devices. ;-)
Grumman-581 wrote:

> <crossposting-snipped>
>
> "Richard J Kinch" <kinch@truetex.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns975C1915315CAsomeconundrum@216.196.97.131. ..
>
>>Read the law. I cited it earlier. Florida makes absolutely no specific
>>technical requirements for hitches, only that you have "sufficient
>
> strength
>
>>to pull all weight towed" and that you have safety chains or other 49 CFR
>>devices. You can tow with overcooked spaghetti if it has "sufficient
>>strength".
>
>
> Mike Romain is from Canada... It's quite possible that the leftist
> government up there has different rules than we have down here...
> Personally, I would go with a stronger solution, but that's just my
> standards of engineering...
>
>

 

Thank God I live in Georgia, and it is illegal to tow with " ropes an granny
knots ". Up here you get ticketed for not have a proper hitch. Just goes
to show you that the Transplanted Yankees in Florida have had there brains
fried too long out in all that sun!!!!

Richard being as how you have a Ph.D. I am going to assume you know the
difference between ignorant and stupid. Well you can't say that you are
ignorant, as too many people in here have tried to educate you on this
matter, so what choice does that leave us with to describe you?

Tom


"Richard J Kinch" <kinch@truetex.com> wrote in message
news:Xns975C1915315CAsomeconundrum@216.196.97.131. ..
> Mike Romain writes:
>
> > You can be 'sure' if something happens and that home made hitch lets go
> > and your trailer goes off and kills someone you will be charged.
>
> Still bunk.
>
> Simply driving, nothing is going to "happen" with this hitch. In a
> collision, the violation and/or liability is with the driver at fault for
> the collision. Not with the hitch or its owner.
>
> "Home made" has *nothing* to do with it.
>
> Read the law. I cited it earlier. Florida makes absolutely no specific
> technical requirements for hitches, only that you have "sufficient
strength
> to pull all weight towed" and that you have safety chains or other 49 CFR
> devices. You can tow with overcooked spaghetti if it has "sufficient
> strength".
>
> People tow cars with rope and granny knots every day. Nothing illegal
about
> it.

 

Thank God I live in Georgia, and it is illegal to tow with " ropes an granny
knots ". Up here you get ticketed for not have a proper hitch. Just goes
to show you that the Transplanted Yankees in Florida have had there brains
fried too long out in all that sun!!!!

Richard being as how you have a Ph.D. I am going to assume you know the
difference between ignorant and stupid. Well you can't say that you are
ignorant, as too many people in here have tried to educate you on this
matter, so what choice does that leave us with to describe you?

Tom


"Richard J Kinch" <kinch@truetex.com> wrote in message
news:Xns975C1915315CAsomeconundrum@216.196.97.131. ..
> Mike Romain writes:
>
> > You can be 'sure' if something happens and that home made hitch lets go
> > and your trailer goes off and kills someone you will be charged.
>
> Still bunk.
>
> Simply driving, nothing is going to "happen" with this hitch. In a
> collision, the violation and/or liability is with the driver at fault for
> the collision. Not with the hitch or its owner.
>
> "Home made" has *nothing* to do with it.
>
> Read the law. I cited it earlier. Florida makes absolutely no specific
> technical requirements for hitches, only that you have "sufficient
strength
> to pull all weight towed" and that you have safety chains or other 49 CFR
> devices. You can tow with overcooked spaghetti if it has "sufficient
> strength".
>
> People tow cars with rope and granny knots every day. Nothing illegal
about
> it.

 

Thank God I live in Georgia, and it is illegal to tow with " ropes an granny
knots ". Up here you get ticketed for not have a proper hitch. Just goes
to show you that the Transplanted Yankees in Florida have had there brains
fried too long out in all that sun!!!!

Richard being as how you have a Ph.D. I am going to assume you know the
difference between ignorant and stupid. Well you can't say that you are
ignorant, as too many people in here have tried to educate you on this
matter, so what choice does that leave us with to describe you?

Tom


"Richard J Kinch" <kinch@truetex.com> wrote in message
news:Xns975C1915315CAsomeconundrum@216.196.97.131. ..
> Mike Romain writes:
>
> > You can be 'sure' if something happens and that home made hitch lets go
> > and your trailer goes off and kills someone you will be charged.
>
> Still bunk.
>
> Simply driving, nothing is going to "happen" with this hitch. In a
> collision, the violation and/or liability is with the driver at fault for
> the collision. Not with the hitch or its owner.
>
> "Home made" has *nothing* to do with it.
>
> Read the law. I cited it earlier. Florida makes absolutely no specific
> technical requirements for hitches, only that you have "sufficient
strength
> to pull all weight towed" and that you have safety chains or other 49 CFR
> devices. You can tow with overcooked spaghetti if it has "sufficient
> strength".
>
> People tow cars with rope and granny knots every day. Nothing illegal
about
> it.

 

On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 20:12:12 -0800, Lon <lon.stowell@comcast.net>
wrote:
>Richard J Kinch proclaimed:
>> FrankW writes:

>>>You may get charged.
>>
>> Debunked earlier in this thread.
>
>Rebunked. And even more happy instance, you can have your heinie sued
>off even if you weren't cited for excessive carelessness and wanton
>stupidity.

Rebunked agreed - There's nothing wrong with the design of the hitch
plate you made itself, it looks plenty strong for the intended
purpose, but the structural integrity of the bumper you /attached it
to/ is a complete unknown.

Since the Feds stopped requiring bumpers to survive 2-1/2 and 5 MPH
crash tests car and light truck bumpers are pretty much beauty items
only, and some (especially the ones not designed as a trailer hitch)
are virtually stamped from tissue paper and then chromed. You
admitted it yourself that they're made to crumple - and you can't
count on strength in towing from a known weak structure.

I would strongly suggest you go get a proper receiver hitch made
that is tucked under the car, and remove the drawbar whenever you
aren't using it - and if you do get hit in the rear, that tissue paper
bumper will be the item hanging out there to get hit and try to absorb
the forces. (Not.) But hey, it's your liability, not mine.

Nothing will likely happen to you legally now, the cops don't go
around inspecting people's trailer hitches on a whim - until the hitch
fails.

If and when it fails while on a public street or highway, and the
trailer wanders off and kills someone or does some serious property
damage, they are going to send out an officer (local or state,
depending) to investigate and write the reports. And if the LEO sees
a mangled mess on the back of the car that let go, they'll probably
(as the old saw goes) "throw the book at you".

The Officers can easily reconstruct the accident scene - there are
trained Major Accident Investigation Teams that do nothing but this,
every day. They figure how fast everyone was going, do the math on
the forces involved on the bumper in the accident, and prove that the
weak link was the hitch that let go. They can prove that a properly
designed hitch would have held under 2X to 4X (or more) of the forces
involved in that incident - so whoever made that hitch is at fault.

In California, this would be one of the brickbats in said book:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d13/vc29003.htm

>Hitch, Coupling Device or Connection, or Tow Dolly
>
>29003. (a) Every hitch or coupling device used as a means of
>attaching the towed and towing vehicles shall be properly and
>securely mounted and be structurally adequate for the weight
>drawn. The mounting of the hitch or coupling device on the
>towing and towed vehicle shall include sufficient reinforcement
>or bracing of the frame to provide sufficient strength and
>rigidity to prevent undue distortion of the frame.
>
>(b) The drawbar, tongue, or other connection between the towing
>and towed vehicles shall be securely attached and structurally
>adequate for the weight drawn.
>
>(c) The raised end of any motor vehicle being transported by
>another motor vehicle using a tow dolly shall be secured to
>the tow dolly by two separate chains, cables, or equivalent
>devices adequate to prevent shifting or separation of the
>towed vehicle and the tow dolly.
>
>Amended Ch. 708, Stats. 1983. Effective January 1, 1984.

Yes, you are in Florida - but most vehicle codes are similar.

--<< Bruce >>--
--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.

 

On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 20:12:12 -0800, Lon <lon.stowell@comcast.net>
wrote:
>Richard J Kinch proclaimed:
>> FrankW writes:

>>>You may get charged.
>>
>> Debunked earlier in this thread.
>
>Rebunked. And even more happy instance, you can have your heinie sued
>off even if you weren't cited for excessive carelessness and wanton
>stupidity.

Rebunked agreed - There's nothing wrong with the design of the hitch
plate you made itself, it looks plenty strong for the intended
purpose, but the structural integrity of the bumper you /attached it
to/ is a complete unknown.

Since the Feds stopped requiring bumpers to survive 2-1/2 and 5 MPH
crash tests car and light truck bumpers are pretty much beauty items
only, and some (especially the ones not designed as a trailer hitch)
are virtually stamped from tissue paper and then chromed. You
admitted it yourself that they're made to crumple - and you can't
count on strength in towing from a known weak structure.

I would strongly suggest you go get a proper receiver hitch made
that is tucked under the car, and remove the drawbar whenever you
aren't using it - and if you do get hit in the rear, that tissue paper
bumper will be the item hanging out there to get hit and try to absorb
the forces. (Not.) But hey, it's your liability, not mine.

Nothing will likely happen to you legally now, the cops don't go
around inspecting people's trailer hitches on a whim - until the hitch
fails.

If and when it fails while on a public street or highway, and the
trailer wanders off and kills someone or does some serious property
damage, they are going to send out an officer (local or state,
depending) to investigate and write the reports. And if the LEO sees
a mangled mess on the back of the car that let go, they'll probably
(as the old saw goes) "throw the book at you".

The Officers can easily reconstruct the accident scene - there are
trained Major Accident Investigation Teams that do nothing but this,
every day. They figure how fast everyone was going, do the math on
the forces involved on the bumper in the accident, and prove that the
weak link was the hitch that let go. They can prove that a properly
designed hitch would have held under 2X to 4X (or more) of the forces
involved in that incident - so whoever made that hitch is at fault.

In California, this would be one of the brickbats in said book:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d13/vc29003.htm

>Hitch, Coupling Device or Connection, or Tow Dolly
>
>29003. (a) Every hitch or coupling device used as a means of
>attaching the towed and towing vehicles shall be properly and
>securely mounted and be structurally adequate for the weight
>drawn. The mounting of the hitch or coupling device on the
>towing and towed vehicle shall include sufficient reinforcement
>or bracing of the frame to provide sufficient strength and
>rigidity to prevent undue distortion of the frame.
>
>(b) The drawbar, tongue, or other connection between the towing
>and towed vehicles shall be securely attached and structurally
>adequate for the weight drawn.
>
>(c) The raised end of any motor vehicle being transported by
>another motor vehicle using a tow dolly shall be secured to
>the tow dolly by two separate chains, cables, or equivalent
>devices adequate to prevent shifting or separation of the
>towed vehicle and the tow dolly.
>
>Amended Ch. 708, Stats. 1983. Effective January 1, 1984.

Yes, you are in Florida - but most vehicle codes are similar.

--<< Bruce >>--
--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.

 

On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 20:12:12 -0800, Lon <lon.stowell@comcast.net>
wrote:
>Richard J Kinch proclaimed:
>> FrankW writes:

>>>You may get charged.
>>
>> Debunked earlier in this thread.
>
>Rebunked. And even more happy instance, you can have your heinie sued
>off even if you weren't cited for excessive carelessness and wanton
>stupidity.

Rebunked agreed - There's nothing wrong with the design of the hitch
plate you made itself, it looks plenty strong for the intended
purpose, but the structural integrity of the bumper you /attached it
to/ is a complete unknown.

Since the Feds stopped requiring bumpers to survive 2-1/2 and 5 MPH
crash tests car and light truck bumpers are pretty much beauty items
only, and some (especially the ones not designed as a trailer hitch)
are virtually stamped from tissue paper and then chromed. You
admitted it yourself that they're made to crumple - and you can't
count on strength in towing from a known weak structure.

I would strongly suggest you go get a proper receiver hitch made
that is tucked under the car, and remove the drawbar whenever you
aren't using it - and if you do get hit in the rear, that tissue paper
bumper will be the item hanging out there to get hit and try to absorb
the forces. (Not.) But hey, it's your liability, not mine.

Nothing will likely happen to you legally now, the cops don't go
around inspecting people's trailer hitches on a whim - until the hitch
fails.

If and when it fails while on a public street or highway, and the
trailer wanders off and kills someone or does some serious property
damage, they are going to send out an officer (local or state,
depending) to investigate and write the reports. And if the LEO sees
a mangled mess on the back of the car that let go, they'll probably
(as the old saw goes) "throw the book at you".

The Officers can easily reconstruct the accident scene - there are
trained Major Accident Investigation Teams that do nothing but this,
every day. They figure how fast everyone was going, do the math on
the forces involved on the bumper in the accident, and prove that the
weak link was the hitch that let go. They can prove that a properly
designed hitch would have held under 2X to 4X (or more) of the forces
involved in that incident - so whoever made that hitch is at fault.

In California, this would be one of the brickbats in said book:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d13/vc29003.htm

>Hitch, Coupling Device or Connection, or Tow Dolly
>
>29003. (a) Every hitch or coupling device used as a means of
>attaching the towed and towing vehicles shall be properly and
>securely mounted and be structurally adequate for the weight
>drawn. The mounting of the hitch or coupling device on the
>towing and towed vehicle shall include sufficient reinforcement
>or bracing of the frame to provide sufficient strength and
>rigidity to prevent undue distortion of the frame.
>
>(b) The drawbar, tongue, or other connection between the towing
>and towed vehicles shall be securely attached and structurally
>adequate for the weight drawn.
>
>(c) The raised end of any motor vehicle being transported by
>another motor vehicle using a tow dolly shall be secured to
>the tow dolly by two separate chains, cables, or equivalent
>devices adequate to prevent shifting or separation of the
>towed vehicle and the tow dolly.
>
>Amended Ch. 708, Stats. 1983. Effective January 1, 1984.

Yes, you are in Florida - but most vehicle codes are similar.

--<< Bruce >>--
--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.

 

cantrelm writes:

> ... people in here have tried to educate you on this matter ...

They have educated me as to their casual opinions in conflict with concrete
experience. Normal Usenet flux.

I'd be surprised if as you assert Georgia doesn't allow towing with rope.
But I couldn't find the relevant statute, maybe you can:

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/gl_codes_detail.pl

 

cantrelm writes:

> ... people in here have tried to educate you on this matter ...

They have educated me as to their casual opinions in conflict with concrete
experience. Normal Usenet flux.

I'd be surprised if as you assert Georgia doesn't allow towing with rope.
But I couldn't find the relevant statute, maybe you can:

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/gl_codes_detail.pl