{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1118.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1118.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1118.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1118.html"}],"law_id":74985,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74985,"structure_id":15010,"section_number":"46.2-1118","catch_line":"Connection between vehicles; tow trucks towing vehicles by means of a wheel lift apparatus","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-332; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-336; 1982, c. 189; 1985, c. 426; 1989, c. 727; 2003, c. 414; 2010, c. 614.","full_text":"The connection between any two vehicles, one of which is towing or drawing the other on a highway, shall consist of a fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer hitch, or other similar device not to exceed 15 feet in length from one vehicle to the other. Any such two vehicles shall, in addition to such drawbar or other similar device, be equipped at all times when so operated on the highway with an emergency chain or cable that is structurally adequate to securely stop and hold the trailer being towed.\n\t\tThe fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer hitch, or similar device must (i) be structurally adequate for the weight being drawn, (ii) be properly and securely mounted, (iii) provide for adequate articulation at the connection without excessive slack at that location, and (iv) be provided with a locking device that prevents accidental separation of the towed and towing vehicles. The mounting of the fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer hitch, or similar device on the towing vehicle must include reinforcement or bracing of the frame sufficient to produce strength and rigidity of the frame to prevent its undue distortion.\n\t\tThe foregoing provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) any farm tractor, as defined in \u00a7 46.2-100, when such farm tractor is towing any farm implement or farm machinery by means of a drawbar coupled with a safety hitch pin or manufacturer’s coupling device or (ii) any tow truck towing a vehicle by means of a wheel lift apparatus that employs a safety strap to hold two of the towed vehicle’s wheels within a wheel lift cradle in a manner consistent with instructions of the manufacturer of such wheel lift apparatus.\n\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “tow truck” means any motor vehicle that is constructed and used primarily for towing, lifting, or otherwise moving illegally parked or disabled vehicles.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":269366,"text":"The connection between any two vehicles, one of which is towing or drawing the other on a highway, shall consist of a fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer hitch, or other similar device not to exceed 15 feet in length from one vehicle to the other. Any such two vehicles shall, in addition to such drawbar or other similar device, be equipped at all times when so operated on the highway with an emergency chain or cable that is structurally adequate to securely stop and hold the trailer being towed.\n\t\tThe fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer hitch, or similar device must (i) be structurally adequate for the weight being drawn, (ii) be properly and securely mounted, (iii) provide for adequate articulation at the connection without excessive slack at that location, and (iv) be provided with a locking device that prevents accidental separation of the towed and towing vehicles. The mounting of the fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer hitch, or similar device on the towing vehicle must include reinforcement or bracing of the frame sufficient to produce strength and rigidity of the frame to prevent its undue distortion.\n\t\tThe foregoing provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) any farm tractor, as defined in \u00a7 46.2-100, when such farm tractor is towing any farm implement or farm machinery by means of a drawbar coupled with a safety hitch pin or manufacturer’s coupling device or (ii) any tow truck towing a vehicle by means of a wheel lift apparatus that employs a safety strap to hold two of the towed vehicle’s wheels within a wheel lift cradle in a manner consistent with instructions of the manufacturer of such wheel lift apparatus.\n\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “tow truck” means any motor vehicle that is constructed and used primarily for towing, lifting, or otherwise moving illegally parked or disabled vehicles.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":15010,"edition_id":1,"name":"Maximum Vehicle Lengths","identifier":"16","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12828,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:28","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:28","permalink":{"id":228847,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15010,"identifier":"16","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/16\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12828,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228599,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12828,"identifier":"10","token":"46.2\/III\/10","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":66443,"structure_id":15010,"section_number":"46.2-1112","catch_line":"Length of vehicles, generally; special permits; vehicle combinations, etc., operating on certain highways; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1112\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16\/46.2-1112","metadata":false},{"id":57771,"structure_id":15010,"section_number":"46.2-1113","catch_line":"Length exceptions for certain passenger buses and motor homes","url":"\/46.2-1113\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16\/46.2-1113","metadata":false},{"id":84276,"structure_id":15010,"section_number":"46.2-1114","catch_line":"Length of watercraft transporters; operation on certain highways","url":"\/46.2-1114\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16\/46.2-1114","metadata":false},{"id":73314,"structure_id":15010,"section_number":"46.2-1114.1","catch_line":"Length of automobile transporters; operation on certain highways","url":"\/46.2-1114.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16\/46.2-1114.1","metadata":false},{"id":69234,"structure_id":15010,"section_number":"46.2-1115","catch_line":"Lengths of manufactured homes or house trailers","url":"\/46.2-1115\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16\/46.2-1115","metadata":false},{"id":62289,"structure_id":15010,"section_number":"46.2-1116","catch_line":"Vehicles having more than one trailer, etc., attached thereto; exceptions","url":"\/46.2-1116\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16\/46.2-1116","metadata":false},{"id":79246,"structure_id":15010,"section_number":"46.2-1117","catch_line":"Tractor truck semitrailer combinations operating on certain highways; access to certain facilities","url":"\/46.2-1117\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16\/46.2-1117","metadata":false},{"id":81922,"structure_id":15010,"section_number":"46.2-1117.1","catch_line":"Commercial delivery of towaway trailers","url":"\/46.2-1117.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16\/46.2-1117.1","metadata":false},{"id":74985,"structure_id":15010,"section_number":"46.2-1118","catch_line":"Connection between vehicles; tow trucks towing vehicles by means of a wheel lift apparatus","url":"\/46.2-1118\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16\/46.2-1118","metadata":false},{"id":63056,"structure_id":15010,"section_number":"46.2-1119","catch_line":"Tow dolly and converter gear","url":"\/46.2-1119\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16\/46.2-1119","metadata":false},{"id":70911,"structure_id":15010,"section_number":"46.2-1120","catch_line":"Extension of loads beyond front of vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1120\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16\/46.2-1120","metadata":false},{"id":57233,"structure_id":15010,"section_number":"46.2-1121","catch_line":"Flag or light at end of load","url":"\/46.2-1121\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16\/46.2-1121","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":81922,"structure_id":15010,"section_number":"46.2-1117.1","catch_line":"Commercial delivery of towaway trailers","url":"\/46.2-1117.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16\/46.2-1117.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":63056,"structure_id":15010,"section_number":"46.2-1119","catch_line":"Tow dolly and converter gear","url":"\/46.2-1119\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16\/46.2-1119","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1118\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1958, chapter 541; in 1982, chapter 189; in 1985, chapter 426; in 1989, chapter 727; in 2003, chapter 414<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 614<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":53981,"section_number":"46.2-1154","catch_line":"Length of vehicles; exceptions in case of breakdown","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1154\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":82691,"section_number":"46.2-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-100\/"}],"permalink":{"id":228881,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74985,"identifier":"46.2-1118","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16\/46.2-1118","url":"\/46.2-1118\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1118\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/16\/46.2-1118","dublin_core":{"Title":"Connection between vehicles; tow trucks towing vehicles by means of a wheel lift apparatus","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1118","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The connection between any two vehicles<\/span>, one of which is towing or drawing the other on a highway<\/span>, shall consist of a fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer<\/span> hitch, or other similar device not to exceed 15 feet in length from one vehicle to the other. Any such two vehicles<\/span> shall, in addition to such drawbar or other similar device, be equipped at all times when so operated on the highway<\/span> with an emergency chain or cable that is structurally adequate to securely stop and hold the trailer<\/span> being towed.\n\t\tThe fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer<\/span> hitch, or similar device must (i) be structurally adequate for the weight being drawn, (ii) be properly and securely mounted, (iii) provide for adequate articulation at the connection without excessive slack at that location, and (iv) be provided with a locking device that prevents accidental separation of the towed and towing vehicles<\/span>. The mounting of the fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer<\/span> hitch, or similar device on the towing vehicle must include reinforcement or bracing of the frame sufficient to produce strength and rigidity of the frame to prevent its undue distortion.\n\t\tThe foregoing provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) any farm tractor<\/span>, as defined in \u00a7 46.2-100<\/a>, when such farm tractor<\/span> is towing any farm implement or farm machinery by means of a drawbar coupled with a safety hitch pin or manufacturer’s coupling device or (ii) any tow truck<\/span> towing a vehicle by means of a wheel lift apparatus that employs a safety strap to hold two of the towed vehicle’s wheels within a wheel lift cradle in a manner consistent with instructions of the manufacturer of such wheel lift apparatus.\n\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “tow truck<\/span>” means any motor vehicle<\/span> that is constructed and used primarily for towing, lifting, or otherwise moving illegally parked or disabled vehicles<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONNECTION BETWEEN VEHICLES; TOW TRUCKS TOWING VEHICLES BY MEANS OF A WHEEL LIFT\nAPPARATUS (\u00a7 46.2-1118)\n\nThe connection between any two vehicles, one of which is towing or drawing the\nother on a highway, shall consist of a fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer hitch, or\nother similar device not to exceed 15 feet in length from one vehicle to the\nother. Any such two vehicles shall, in addition to such drawbar or other similar\ndevice, be equipped at all times when so operated on the highway with an\nemergency chain or cable that is structurally adequate to securely stop and hold\nthe trailer being towed.\n\t\tThe fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer hitch, or similar device must (i) be\nstructurally adequate for the weight being drawn, (ii) be properly and securely\nmounted, (iii) provide for adequate articulation at the connection without\nexcessive slack at that location, and (iv) be provided with a locking device\nthat prevents accidental separation of the towed and towing vehicles. The\nmounting of the fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer hitch, or similar device on the\ntowing vehicle must include reinforcement or bracing of the frame sufficient to\nproduce strength and rigidity of the frame to prevent its undue distortion.\n\t\tThe foregoing provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) any farm\ntractor, as defined in \u00a7 46.2-100, when such farm tractor is towing any farm\nimplement or farm machinery by means of a drawbar coupled with a safety hitch\npin or manufacturer’s coupling device or (ii) any tow truck towing a\nvehicle by means of a wheel lift apparatus that employs a safety strap to hold\ntwo of the towed vehicle’s wheels within a wheel lift cradle in a manner\nconsistent with instructions of the manufacturer of such wheel lift apparatus.\n\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “tow truck” means any motor\nvehicle that is constructed and used primarily for towing, lifting, or otherwise\nmoving illegally parked or disabled vehicles.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-332; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-336; 1982, c. 189; 1985, c.\n426; 1989, c. 727; 2003, c. 414; 2010, c. 614.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}