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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=19174
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House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: October 23, 2015 01:40 PM
From: Representative Stephen Barrar
To: All House members
Subject: Maximum Weight of Heavy-Duty Tow Trucks on Highways
 
I will be introducing legislation that would amend Title 75 (Vehicles), Section 4949, to establish a maximum weight of heavy-duty tow trucks and additional safety requirements when towing a disabled motor vehicle.

As you may know, under current Pennsylvania law, vehicles are prohibited from exceeding a maximum gross weight of 80,000 pounds if traveling on our state’s highways. Tow trucks towing a disabled motor vehicle to a place of repair or other place of safety are permitted to exceed the maximum gross weight restriction established by this law.

My legislation would add a subsection to allow heavy-duty tow trucks, in combination with a disabled vehicle to exceed the axle, dimensional, and maximum gross weight limits up to a combined weight of 150,000 pounds. The bill also sets a speed limit of 55 miles per hour at any time the total weight exceeds 80,000 pounds or exceeds the maximum axle weight of vehicles. The bill also requires a heavy-duty tow truck operator, if feasible, to utilize the service brakes of the towed motor vehicle when operated on a highway. The requirements for non-heavy-duty tow trucks would remain as they are under current law.

I believe this measure will ensure the safe operations of a heavy-duty tow trucks on Pennsylvania’s highways. Please join me in cosponsoring this legislation. Thank you.