Community Forums

blacktie.shooter · 06-21-2009, 09:59 AM

Saw a "Car in Tow" sign the other day, for the first time in an eon, then saw it mentioned in the "Auxilliary Brakes" thread. Must confess, I never thought about it since I've been towing.

Is this a legal requirement? I have to ask, because, obviously, no one does it. (Well, maybe one.)

hdossett · 06-21-2009, 10:14 AM

Shooter,

I have used a homemade Car In Tow sign, but only when I did not have the brake and tail lights wired to the the Tow Vehicle. i.e. When I Sold my Yukon to Car Max, and had to have a vehicle to drive home.

Don't know about the legal stuff, but would "assume" that without brake and tail lights, you should used a sign, kinda like a red flag tied to a load of lumber hanging more than four feet past your vehicle.

Harold

read & learn · 06-21-2009, 03:48 PM

I have used a Car in Tow sign as long as I have owned a Motor Home. Even with the sign on the rear window of our Jeep we have had other cars pull along side the tow vehicle as they were getting on the highway, and try as they may to force the tow vehicle into another lane, other have given the car a 1 finger wave. The DW would like me to put a Car in Tow sign also on the side of the car.
The law in many States require the sign and that is why most RV supply stores sell them. Now, as to when they are required, I do not know, but I will try anything not to be in a accident.

wa8yxm · 06-22-2009, 09:50 AM

Do you have a link to a site that lists the states which require "Car in Tow" signs..

I have a program on my computer: Avery Design Pro. It is FREE from Avery, the folks who make peal and stick labels in many sizes and shapes including 8 1/2" by 11", I use it to make signs of many types.. Only pay for Paper, Ink, Power for the computer and the laminator and lamination sheets.. And those I don't always pay for

Last park I was at the janitor complained that someone had filched her "Closed for cleaning sign"

I fired up Design Pro, downloaded a decent graphic from the net, made two different verisons of Closed for cleaning, printed out five copies (2 sided, one version on one side, the other on the flip side) and gave 'em to the activities director who laminated them using the park laminator.. I spent perhaps 10 cents, she now has a new sign, and 4 spares

blacktie.shooter · 06-22-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdossett

Shooter,

I have used a homemade Car In Tow sign, but only when I did not have the brake and tail lights wired to the the Tow Vehicle.

Harold

Thanks, Harold, makes sense. Now that you mention it, I usually see signs like that when someone is towing diabled vehicle, maybe a classic relic to be rebuilt, etc. Come to think of it, you never see a tow truck put a sign on what they are towing; they put the portable brake light/turn signal on the trunk.

My toad is wired to the coach, so I think that's good enough for me.
Thanks, all.

Gordon · 06-22-2009, 09:59 PM

In Or-E-Gun they are not required.

I was at a sign shop one day and saw that they made magnetic signs. Just for fun I had this made up.

blacktie.shooter · 06-23-2009, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon

In Or-E-Gun they are not required.

I was at a sign shop one day and saw that they made magnetic signs. Just for fun I had this made up.

wa8yxm · 06-24-2009, 09:35 AM

I will ask again,, Read and Learn said that the law in many states requires such a sign.. Well, I do not know of such a law, but then There are 50 states and I really only know one, so that's not in any way critical of Read and Learn.. And I would prefer to learn by reading so.

Can anyone (Read and Learn please) Provide a list of states that have such a law and possibly an example of such a law?

Thank you in advance

dave from mesa · 06-24-2009, 01:05 PM

I kinda look at it this way. If other drivers can't see the car, why?, would they read the sign?
Do you need to put them on the sides and back?

Lindsay Richards · 06-25-2009, 07:54 PM

I have been thinking of putting a sign STUDENT DRIVER on my toad as a defensive type thing. I have about 25,000 miles under my belt, but I think that sign might tend to stop some folks from tailgating and doing some of the stuff we always have to put up with. Anytime I have seen that sign on a car, I have given it a wide berth.

osomanytoys · 06-26-2009, 08:12 AM

i saw a sign that said "back off, i've been pushing this motorhome for miles"....

well, something like that. it was funny when i saw it.

read & learn · 06-26-2009, 08:42 AM

Go To Ask.com type in car in tow signs will send you to a brunch of sites. Some will state as required in many States. I don't have the time to go to the DMV law sites and am taking their word that the Car in Tow signs are required. Would rather be safe than sorry.

Nonno · 06-26-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

we have had other cars pull along side the tow vehicle as they were getting on the highway, and try as they may to force the tow vehicle into another lane,

We use 2. Magnetic on the rear and suction cup on the passenger window.

read & learn · 06-27-2009, 05:31 AM

Nonno
Thank you for your post, you just made the DW very happy as she was starting to feel she was the only one who saw, the "Professional car drivers" that have no idea, that the vehicle behind the Motor Home has no driver behind the wheel.
I wanted to get a mannequin and put it in the driver seat as we tow the car down the road and give the 1 finger wave to the jecks. We decided that that could cause a accident so that idea got put on the back burner.