We have a old type Hayman Reese adjustable tow ball kit which when connected to the cruiser protrudes approx 25 to 30 cm from the rear bumper bar.
Now is it illegal to leave the hitch attached to the cruiser when we are normally driving around the town.
I sort of favour it being left on, as it is an added insurance if in the event of someone running into us.
Your thoughts
Jay&Dee
dabbler said
08:46 AM Oct 16, 2019
A 25 cm protrusion would definitely be considered too much. Can't recall the exact wording and I don't think a value is nominated but the meaninf is "no protrusion, not essential to operation, should increase the chance of injury".
2weis said
09:30 AM Oct 16, 2019
qld general safety requirements
11 EXTERNAL OR INTERNAL PROTRUSIONS
11.1 No vehicle must be equipped with:
11.1.1 any object or fitting, not technically essential to
such vehicle, which protrudes from any part of the vehicle
so that it is likely to increase the risk of bodily injury to
any person;
11.1.2 any object or fitting technically essential to such
vehicle unless its design, construction and conditions and
the manner in which it is affixed to the vehicle are such as
to reduce to a minimum the risk of bodily injury to any
person;
11.1.3 any object or fitting which, because it is pointed or
has a sharp edge, is likely to increase the risk of bodily
injury to any person; or
11.1.4 any bumper bar the end of which is not turned
towards the body of the vehicle to a sufficient extent to
avoid any risk of hooking or grazing.
Possum3 said
09:32 AM Oct 16, 2019
A lot depends on the length of the original vehicle and the distance from rear wheel of a standard motor vehicle. We are all aware that in many western Queensland towns there are vehicles that unhitch at a suitable place to park van the driver doesn't take off side mirrors and tow hitches to drive into town and go shopping etc. The local Police do not enforce ALL the Rules and Regulations as a courtesy to visitors that they want to come back again. Some HWP Officers also only fine drivers that have an attitude problem.
I believe the National Standard for projections is;
A; Forward projection: no more than 150mm forward of the front wheel,
B; Side projection no more than 150mm than width of standard motor vehicle,
C; Rear projection: no more than 300mm behind the back wheel.
dabbler said
10:21 AM Oct 16, 2019
Nothing to so with the rear wheel location possum, a protusion is measured from the bumper.
Greg 1 said
12:18 PM Oct 16, 2019
Technically I believe that you could get nabbed for a large hitch fitted to your vehicle, but it is unlikely.
As has been stated already, it's one of those things that if you were pulled over for something else and gave the copper some attitude, then he is going to go looking and may book you for that.
I have been pulled over a couple of times in my travels about the country for breath and license checks with my large hitch fitted, and they have done a walk around the car each time and never remarked on the hitch. Mainly checking tyres and the like.
LLD said
12:29 PM Oct 16, 2019
About 5 years ago I was told that if you are not actually towing, your unprotected hitch and towing mirrors must be removed. However, if I just unhitch and don't leave the park, I leave both ready for towing. The hitch on my motorbike cannot be removed but it does have a shin guard around it.
dogbox said
12:37 PM Oct 16, 2019
these rules also apply to fishing rod holders on bull bars they must be mounted in a manner that can't cause injury to persons
JayDee said
12:41 PM Oct 16, 2019
I guess that we sort of like the idea of the rear end protection so that if we are involved due to someone travelling to close to us, it would protect our rear end.
However after reading 2 Weis comments, I think we will remove the Hayman Reece unit from the tow bar of the cruiser.
Jay&Dee
Whenarewethere said
01:03 PM Oct 16, 2019
Decades ago I smashed my shin into a tow bar sticking out further than I realised. I can't repeat what I said for the next hour or more. Still got the hole in my shin. If you can remove it please do.
Greg 1 said
03:20 PM Oct 16, 2019
I have mainly left mine in when travelling because its solid steel and needs a Franna crane to lift the thing. Except for the final lift into the receiver, I cart it about on a folding bag trolley. The back ain't what it used to be.
Izabarack said
04:22 PM Oct 16, 2019
Whenarewethere wrote:
Decades ago I smashed my shin into a tow bar sticking out further than I realised.
Saw similar recently. The tongue was removed from the vehicle and left on the vehicle's bonnet. I don't think the scratches will polish out.
Iza
LLD said
07:16 PM Oct 16, 2019
Whenarewethere wrote:
Decades ago I smashed my shin into a tow bar sticking out further than I realised. I can't repeat what I said for the next hour or more. Still got the hole in my shin. If you can remove it please do.
I slashed my knee badly as a kid when I walked around the back of dad's car. He had a chrome fan-tail exhaust tip sticking out that had a rough edge that I brushed against.
oldbloke said
10:27 PM Oct 20, 2019
Painting it yellow or orange wouldnt hurt.
PetenSue said
06:25 AM Oct 21, 2019
Izabarack wrote:
Whenarewethere wrote:
Decades ago I smashed my shin into a tow bar sticking out further than I realised.
Saw similar recently. The tongue was removed from the vehicle and left on the vehicle's bonnet. I don't think the scratches will polish out.
Iza
Ive heard the version of this story where the offending hitch was placed the drivers seat !!!
dogbox said
10:52 AM Oct 21, 2019
oldbloke wrote:
Painting it yellow or orange wouldnt hurt.
if you smash into it , it is going to hurt no matter what colour it is
KJB said
11:46 AM Oct 21, 2019
Just watch where you walk......
Relax-n said
01:47 PM Oct 21, 2019
If it is your own vehicle, then be more careful
If somebody walks into yours or you walk into theirs, what is the need to be so close to another vehicle!
We have a old type Hayman Reese adjustable tow ball kit which when connected to the cruiser protrudes approx 25 to 30 cm from the rear bumper bar.
Now is it illegal to leave the hitch attached to the cruiser when we are normally driving around the town.
I sort of favour it being left on, as it is an added insurance if in the event of someone running into us.
Your thoughts
Jay&Dee
11 EXTERNAL OR INTERNAL PROTRUSIONS
11.1 No vehicle must be equipped with:
11.1.1 any object or fitting, not technically essential to
such vehicle, which protrudes from any part of the vehicle
so that it is likely to increase the risk of bodily injury to
any person;
11.1.2 any object or fitting technically essential to such
vehicle unless its design, construction and conditions and
the manner in which it is affixed to the vehicle are such as
to reduce to a minimum the risk of bodily injury to any
person;
11.1.3 any object or fitting which, because it is pointed or
has a sharp edge, is likely to increase the risk of bodily
injury to any person; or
11.1.4 any bumper bar the end of which is not turned
towards the body of the vehicle to a sufficient extent to
avoid any risk of hooking or grazing.
I believe the National Standard for projections is;
A; Forward projection: no more than 150mm forward of the front wheel,
B; Side projection no more than 150mm than width of standard motor vehicle,
C; Rear projection: no more than 300mm behind the back wheel.
I guess that we sort of like the idea of the rear end protection so that if we are involved due to someone travelling to close to us, it would protect our rear end.
However after reading 2 Weis comments, I think we will remove the Hayman Reece unit from the tow bar of the cruiser.
Jay&Dee
Decades ago I smashed my shin into a tow bar sticking out further than I realised. I can't repeat what I said for the next hour or more. Still got the hole in my shin. If you can remove it please do.
Saw similar recently. The tongue was removed from the vehicle and left on the vehicle's bonnet. I don't think the scratches will polish out.
Iza
I slashed my knee badly as a kid when I walked around the back of dad's car. He had a chrome fan-tail exhaust tip sticking out that had a rough edge that I brushed against.
Ive heard the version of this story where the offending hitch was placed the drivers seat !!!
if you smash into it , it is going to hurt no matter what colour it is
Just watch where you walk......
If it is your own vehicle, then be more careful
If somebody walks into yours or you walk into theirs, what is the need to be so close to another vehicle!