Rep Power: 117

Hello everyone, I am wondering if there are any laws prohibiting towing something heavier than the tow vehicle's capacity. For example, can someone be fined for pulling a U Haul trailer with a Honda Civic that is rated to tow nothing? Last time I rented a trailer in Ohio I asked the U Haul guy if it was legal to tow it with my Civic and his answer was "if it wasn't legal we couldn't rent it to you".

The other scenario I am wondering about is the legalities of flat towing one car with another car that isn't rated to tow anything. For example, would it be legal for me to pull my 04 Civic home from out of state with my 05 Civic and a tow bar? The only laws flat towing laws I can find in TN is that lighting must be functional, safety chains must be used, and vehicles over 3000 lbs require their own brakes. As long as all of that is followed, is there anything illegal about doing this?

Also, if no laws are broken, can a police officer legitimately hassle someone for doing something like that, or is it not up to their discretion in any way? For example, is there a general law allowing cops to ticket someone at their discretion for an "unsafe load" or something similar?

Thank you very much in advance

 
Rep Power: 223

Exceeding a vehicles towing capacity is very dangerous. Towing capacities are set to what the vehicle can safely pull while maintaining complete control. Any type of hitch you can put on a Civic is not designed for that amount of weight, the one I've seen bolts to sheet metal. The brakes are not designed for that much weight either, possibly causing them to overheat and not work. The engine/trans are not designed for that much weight, both could overheat causing permanent damage. Best case scenario you see increased wear on the engine/trans/brakes, worst case you cause an accident. You can rent a truck from Uhaul to do the towing fairly cheaply.

Legally, there are laws against unsafe towing. I would absolutely call towing a Civic with another Civic unsafe.

 
Rep Power: 242

This

 
Rep Power: 117

Thanks. What exactly is "unsafe towing", or is it up to the discretion of the police officer? I tried looking this up but all I found was laws on when towing companies can tow a car away. Apparently simply exceeding a vehicle's towing capacity isn't illegal since U Haul rents trailers to people with a 0 pound towing capacity (like me).

 
Rep Power: 221

FFS just do the smart thing and rent a truck

 
Rep Power: 117

The problem with that is it is not cheap to rent a truck to drive 1200 miles. There is a charge of 89 cents per mile, so that's nearly 900 miles right there. Then there's gas, insurance, and likely out of state charges. So renting a truck and car hauler would probably cost over $1000. Besides, I know my car does okay pulling that much weight from when I pulled the trailer.

 
Rep Power: 221

Just cut your losses and sell the car. The fines are going to be more than that rental, and when something goes wrong and you kill or injure someone, that's going to bring a whole other set of issues

 
Rep Power: 223

I didn't realize you were wanting to tow this Civic 1,200 miles, I was thinking like 20. Find a friend with a truck or SUV, otherwise sell the car. Even a Honda Pilot/Ridgeline would tow it without issues.

Some laws on unsafe towing in Ohio:
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4513

U-Haul tow dolly requirements:
-The towing vehicle must weigh 750 lbs more than the vehicle being towed. You wouldn't meet this.
-Must have class 2 tow hitch (3,500 lbs minimum). Seriously doubt you can get this on a Civic.
-Must have 1-7/8" or 2" hitch ball (3,500 lbs. minimum)

U-Haul cargo trailer requirements:
-Towing vehicle must weigh more than the loaded trailer.
-Must have 1-7/8" or, 2" hitch ball (2,000 lbs. minimum)

Does not specify a class 2 hitch is needed. The ones I see online for a 7th gen Civic are class 1, 2000 lb limit. That is why you can rent a cargo trailer and not a tow dolly.

 
Rep Power: 511

Check with your local law enforcement agency. TBH, it might be cheaper to ship the vehicle.

 
Rep Power: 117

Thank you for your help. I know that my car can pull 2500 pounds without issue since I pulled a trailer that weighed that much or more with no issue, I was just wondering about the legality of it. If I remember correctly my hitch is rated at 3000 pounds, but it's been a while so I don't remember for sure. I was just wondering about if it's legal. I actually called my insurance company and explained my plan and they said I'm covered. I was shocked, but whatever.

By the way, this is the best idea ever compared to what some people where I live do. Where I live it's not uncommon to see someone pulling 2 cars with their mid size sedan! The other day no joke I saw someone pulling 1 other car and 1 SUV on the highway with a Chrysler 300M! I presume they were pulling them to a body shop since both vehicles looked like they have been in accidents. Hopefully they both had functional brakes. That's actually not an uncommon thing to see around here though

 
Rep Power: 511

It's not a matter if you could or not. It's a matter of if you should or not.

 
Rep Power: 221

This

 
Rep Power: 242

1200 miles!!!!!! I thought you were talking like down the street!!!!

Just because other people around you do it doesn't make it safe or legal.

There has to be someone you know that has an SUV. Does your insurance cover rentals? Rent an SUV from Enterprise for a day or 2 and then rent the dolly.

Put the money that you are going to spend on moving your oil temp sensor toward doing this properly.

 
Rep Power: 511

I'm just gonna lock this before this turns into a liability thing. If another thread with this same subject pops up, I'm deleting it.

Short of it: don't participate in unsafe practices. If you have to ask, you probably shouldn't do it.

 
Rep Power: 366

Huh...
1200 miles and you are checking only TN laws... You are supposed to check the laws in each of the states you are going to pass through. Your TN plate will not save you if the state you are in have different laws.
Just ask the officer when he pulls you over.