Massachusetts trailer hitch rule
 

Hey there forum readers, supposedly, there's a little known rule from our neighboring State of Massachusetts that says that the trailer hitch on your vehicle shall only be in place when actually in use, towing a trailer. Apparently, this rule was made to prevent damage from cars backing into a parking space and damaging the nearby vehicle with its extended trailer hitch that may stick out six inches or so beyond the bumper.

So, to prevent parking space damage caused by the trailer hitch, Massachusetts is the one and only state in the nation with this trailer hitch, violation ruling.

Maybe someone can find and post a link to this Massachusetts driving violation for a trailer hitch? Is it really true? I read about this on Reddit.

The applicable portion is: Any vehicle with a gross weight of less than 26,000 pounds which is equipped with a trailer hitch drawbar shall be required to remove said drawbar whenever the vehicle is not actively engaged in towing.

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/...%20in%20towing.

another useless law in the state that Police will not enforce, and shouldn't have to

I live in MA and have had multiple vehicles with hitches as do many people I know. I'm not aware of anyone, ever, being cited and highly doubt anyone even knows the law is on the books (I certainly didn't). My guess is some politician was backed into, got mad, and created the law.

The bigger issue is walking into one!

Ouch!
 

You beat me to it!!! Been there, done that!!

Hope all is well John!

Dan

The Shin Finder

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d8560165e8.jpg

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So yes it is a law on the books here in Massachusetts and has been for a long time. I have never heard or seen of anyone getting pulled over or sighted for it in an accident. The only time personally it has come up for me is when getting my vehicle inspected.

In the case of an accident, it doesn't really mater although they could site you for it, but I have never heard of that happening either...

At the end of the day it is legislation that came about because some politician had a bad morning, and walked into one that likely belonged to a fellow politician that didn't have any sympathy....

Me too. Hurt like a bastard. Also had one smoosh my front license plate, glad it was there to protect the bumper

I mean come on you haven't lived until you bounced your shin off of a hitch... what is even worse is when it is your own!!!!!!!

Remember those old days, when the most common hitches weren't the receiver type, and a parking lot could look like an obstacle course trying to avoid both hitches and cars trying to find spots.... Ahhh the good ole days....

Ah yes. The old days. Our 1959 Ford station wagon had a hitch both front and back. You can see the front hitrch in this pic at our Welch Islad docks in 1960.

Docked but not tied off.:D

Nice!
 

That's a great pic!!

Not tied
 

No need to tie it off. This is an automotive thread, not boating.

It's a rule just like head light have to be on when the windsield wipers are on. On the books but not inforced. I had one on my car (ball was off so it was just the step) and a car rear ended me on the highway. Hitch went right through the bumper and into the radiator. I was heading to the Buffett concert. Cop got my info and said "get out of here and call her insurance".
And if they ever do pull you over just tell them you are on your way to pick a trailer up or dropping on off.
Just like the can't have a fire pit in most MA, and some NH cities unless you are cooking. AKA always have marshmellows or a hot dog on a stick near by. This is only enforced if a neightbor calls and complains.
And another MA law on the books, it's unlawful to put tomatoes in clam chowder. And you can only shoot someone in Boston in the Commons if the Mayor is invited (or govenor I forget).
In VT you aren't allowed to tie an elephant to a telephone pole on Sundays.
I'd have to look back for the stupid NH ones. It's been a while since I looked at that book.

OK most are really stupid. However putting tomatoes in clam chowder is defiantly a felony!


Alan

Some times a hitch comes in handy. I have one of those large 3 ball units with a snatch hook on it.
Last year the wife and I got rear ended at a stop light in Ft Myers Fla and we had no damage to the truck but my hitch went right through the grill and radiator of the car that hit us.
It was one of those low rider style cars and from the sound, he was distracted by his stereo. He wasn’t anxious to report the accident and I had no damage so we wished each other well and I went on my way.

Similar story...
 

I was living in NW Louisiana and was driving through Shreveport on the Fourth of July just as the fireworks had finished. Traffic was a mess. I was driving my Ford F250 p/u with a trailer hitch welded on the bumper. A guy in a Lincoln Continental pulled in behind me just as the traffic was coming to a stop. He tapped the back of my truck and yelled " Sorry about that". I waved to him 'Ok". Next traffic light he hits me again, just a little harder. I just shook my head. We get to the next traffic light, which is the last one before the on ramp onto I20. You guessed it. He really nailed me. I got out and saw I still didn't have any damage, but my trailer hitch was up into his radiator. He again yelled "Sorry" or words to that effect. As we proceeded up the on ramp, I took off and saw that as he was traveling up the ramp, steam started spewing out of the front of the Lincoln. Not sure how far he actually got, but I went on home with a big smile on my face.

This was back in late 1970's when Fords were built like a tank.

Dave

I've given myself a good talking to more than a few times after walking into mine and I still haven't paid attention. :rolleye1:

That type of accident seems common in the Fort Myers area. I have been rear ended twice, both times by Florida Gulf Coast University students.

Just a thought: Maybe they could add Driver Education to the curriculum and make room for it by dropping other subjects like, say, Gender Studies?

Now, that’s a way to get shut out of the debate!


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I’m guessing TiltonBB is safe. It’s difficult to envision anyone disagreeing with him except in jest. 🤣


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