(a) Except as provided in subsection (e) hereof, a passenger vehicle shall not be driven upon a highway drawing or having attached to the passenger vehicle more than one vehicle or trailer.
(b) The drawbar or other connection between two vehicles, one of which is towing or drawing the other on a highway, shall not exceed fifteen feet in length from one vehicle to the other. If the connection consists of a chain, rope or cable, there shall be displayed upon the connection a red flag or other signal or cloth not less than twelve inches both in length and width.
(c) A vehicle or trailer towed or drawn by a vehicle shall be attached to the vehicle with forms of coupling devices in a manner so that when the combination is operated in a linear alignment on a level, smooth, paved surface, the movement of the towed or drawn vehicle or trailer does not deviate more than three inches to either side of the path of the towing vehicle that tows or draws it. The vehicle or trailer shall also be connected to the towing vehicle, by suitable safety chains or devices, one on each side of the coupling and at the extreme outer edge of the vehicle, and each chain or device and connection used shall be of sufficient strength to haul the trailer when loaded.
(d) A pickup truck with a fifth wheel assembly shall not tow a semitrailer unless the fifth wheel assembly conforms to the standards prescribed in the Motor Carrier Safety Act, MCLA 480.11 to 480.21, as amended, and of this chapter.
(e) Notwithstanding subsection (a) hereof, a pickup truck with a towing rating equal to, or greater than, the weight being towed, equipped with a fifth wheel which conforms with the standards of the Motor Carrier Safety Act, MCLA 480.11 to 480.21, as amended, and of this chapter, towing attached with a semitrailer designed for recreational living purposes, may tow an additional trailer or semitrailer under the following conditions:
(1) The additional trailer or semitrailer shall be attached pursuant to subsection (c) hereof. The safety chains described in subsection (c) hereof shall be securely attached to the extreme outer edge of the attached trailer or semitrailer with a locking mechanism. The towing vehicle hitch shall be of substantial material and shall be attached in a proper and skillful manner to the frame of the towing vehicle.
(2) The total length of the pickup truck, semitrailer designed for recreational living purposes, and additional trailer or semitrailer, and load, shall not exceed fifty-nine feet.
(3) The gross weight of the additional trailer or semitrailer towed or drawn shall not exceed the empty weight of the pickup truck or the empty weight of the semitrailer.
(f) For the purposes of this section, a pickup truck towing a semitrailer and additional trailer shall be considered a passenger vehicle and shall comply with the speed limit requirements for a passenger vehicle with a trailer.
(g) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.
(Ord. 97-10. Passed 11-5-97.)