Towing axle

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A towing axle (also called a towing dog) is a special type of trailer that is used to tow a light motor vehicle .

construction

The towing axle is usually a very narrow-gauge, single-axle trailer without a platform. A rotatably mounted cross-member is mounted in the center above the axle , the ends of which are shaped (e.g. troughs or a rectangular tubular frame) so that they can be used to hold and fix the wheels of a vehicle (to be towed).

Function and use

Through this towing device, the towing and the towed vehicle are connected to one another by means of the drawbar of the trailer. With this design, the towed vehicle is kept at a fixed distance from the front of the vehicle by hanging the two front wheels. If necessary, the rear wheels can be attached instead of the front wheels. In this case, however, the steering must be fixed (high risk of uncontrolled rolling of the towed vehicle).

In contrast to the tow rope and the tow bar , when using a tow axle, neither the brakes nor the steering of the vehicle to be towed need to be intact.

Legal position

In Germany, the towing axle does not require approval as a towing aid, so it is not approved for vehicle transport over long distances, but only as an emergency measure in the event of the vehicle being broken down to the nearest suitable workshop. Otherwise, additional technical measures will be necessary on the trailer as well as additional driver license requirements for the driver of the towing vehicle. Please note the amended StVZO from January 2010 (removal of § 18). In Austria, a tow axle is to be treated like a trailer when it is unloaded - this means that it either needs its own license plate and liability insurance has to be paid for, or that it is a trailer that is not approved for use and can only be driven a maximum of 10 km / h may.