Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 11 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › Subtitle 13 - MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION - VEHICLE EQUIPMENT › Chapter 11.13.08 - Vehicle Connecting Devices and Towing Methods › Section 11.13.08.03 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. In this chapter,
				the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B. Terms Defined.
(1) "Chain attaching means" means a bolt,
				hook, pin, hole, eye, clevis, bracket, bar, or any other device mounted on and
				used for anchoring or attaching safety chains to the towed or towing vehicle or
				hitch.
(2) "Coupling" means that
				part of the primary connecting system normally mounted on the trailer, such as
				a socket, by which the connection is actually made and including the supporting
				attachment to the trailer frame.
(3) "Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)"
				means the value specified by the vehicle manufacturer as the loaded weight of a
				single vehicle.
(4) Hitch.
(a) "Hitch" means that part of the primary
				connecting system normally mounted on the towing vehicle, including a
				ball-support platform and those components which are attached to the towing
				vehicle.
(b) "Weight-distributing
				hitch" means a mechanical device that connects the trailer to the towing
				vehicle, and by means of a leverage applied on both trailer and car structures
				or axles, when properly adjusted, distributes the imposed vertical load at the
				hitch and coupling connection between the structures or axles of towing vehicle
				and trailer. The towing vehicle thus loaded tends to retain a level position
				with respect to the road.
(c)
				"Weight-carrying hitch" means a mechanical or structural device that connects
				the trailer to the towing vehicle, and that does not employ features designed
				to redistribute the load imposed at the hitch and coupling connection.
				Weight-carrying hitches may be designed for bolting or other attachment to the
				towing vehicle frame, unitized body, bumper structure, or to a combination of
				these or other points which meet the requirements of Table 2 of Regulation .10
				of this chapter.
(5)
				"Maximum gross trailer weight (MGTW)" means the weight of the trailer plus the
				weight of all cargo, consumables, and equipment loaded on the trailer when in
				an actual underway towing condition.
(6) "Manufactured" means the date that parts
				or components for devices regulated by this chapter are fabricated, assembled,
				packaged, or labelled, and in a saleable condition in the manufacturer's
				inventory of finished goods.
(7)
				"Maximum vertical load on hitch (tongue weight)" means the vertical downward
				static force exerted on the hitch by the coupling at the point of connection of
				coupling and hitch, with weight distribution features or devices, if any,
				deactivated. Tongue weight is measured at the trailer coupling, with the
				trailer in a level position (detached from the hitch), and with trailer
				consumables and cargo in maximum loaded conditions.
(8) Primary Connecting System.
(a) "Primary connecting system" means the
				combination of devices and their attaching structures that are normally used to
				connect a towing vehicle and trailer during towing operations.
(b) "Primary connecting system" includes, but
				is not limited to, the ball and socket type of connection or the draft means of
				connection.
(c) "Primary connecting
				system" does not include a:
(i) Safety chain
				which is a part of a secondary system normally used only when the primary
				connecting system fails; or
(ii)
				Weight distributing or sway control feature or device which functions as an
				accessory to the maintenance of the towing vehicle-trailer
				connection.
(9) "Safety chains" means flexible tension
				members connected from the front portion of the towed vehicle to the rear
				portion of the towing vehicle for the purpose of retaining connection between
				towed and towing vehicle in the event of failure of the connection provided by
				the primary connecting system. The term "safety chains" includes not only
				chains, cable, or wire ropes, or equivalent flexible member, but also any
				splice clamp, socket, snap, eye, ring, thimble, pin, or other fastening device
				or forming method which is part of the assembly of any such flexible tension
				member.
(10) "Tables 1, 2, 3, 4,
				and 5 and Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4" referred to in this chapter are contained in
				Regulation .10 of this chapter.
(11) "Trailer" means any towed vehicle having
				a registered gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less.