Towing connections

Reasons for rejection

Mandatory equipment

1. A fifth wheel is not designed to fit a 50mm or 90mm kingpin.

2. A fifth wheel or ball-type coupling fitted to a heavy trailer does not have evidence of certification (unless excepted in Table 8-6-1), ie:

a) the coupling was fitted before the last CoF inspection, and after 1 January 1997, and no LANDATA record has been entered (Note before 1 January 1997 certification was required but for inspection purposes the LANDATA record need not be checked), or

b) the coupling was fitted after the last CoF inspection and

i. a valid LT400 form has not been presented, or

ii. the HVS certifier was not of category HVET or HMTD.

3. A 50mm diameter fifth wheel, other than a rigid fifth wheel, has not been certified to:

a) NZS 5450: 1989, or

b) All of the following:

i. Australian/New Zealand Standard 4968.1-2003, and

ii. Australian/New Zealand Standard 4968.2-2003, and

iii. Australian Standard 2174-2006.

4. A 90mm diameter fifth wheel, other than a rigid fifth wheel, has not been certified to one of the following:

a) if fitted before 1 April 2005, NZS 5450, or

b) if fitted on or after 1 April 2005, both AS 2174 and AS/NZS 4968 (Note 1).

5. A rigid fifth wheel has not been certified to manufacturer’s specifications.

6. A heavy trailer that is fitted with a 90mm diameter fifth wheel does not have ‘90mm fifth wheel’, where ‘90’ is at least 60mm high, clearly displayed in a position readily visible from the position from which the release handle of the fifth wheel is operated.

7. An ‘Operator Statement of Compliance with the Maintenance Requirements of NZS 5450: 1989’ (4085A form) is:

a) not presented, or

b) incomplete (Note 2), or

c) not current, that is more than:

i. the time or distance specified by the fifth wheel manufacturer has elapsed or been travelled since the most recent inspection recorded on the form, or

ii. 30 days have lapsed or 15,000 km has been travelled, whichever occurred sooner, since the most recent inspection recorded on the form, where manufacturer’s specifications are unavailable.

8. A vehicle is fitted with a ball type coupling to tow a semi-trailer and:

a) is not certified to NZS 5446, or

b) does not have a valid certification label or plate attached to the vehicle as required in Table 8-6-2, or

c) is not part of a dedicated combination (Note 6).

9. A required certification label or plate (ball-type couplings only):

a) is not indelible, or

b) is illegible, or

c) is not complete, or

d) is not attached to the vehicle in an easily visible position, or

e) does not match the vehicle, or

f) has obvious signs of tampering, or

g) has expired.

10. A fifth wheel or ball type coupling is installed to the front of a semi-trailer (Note 7).

Condition and performance (Note 3)

11. A coupling or its mounting:

a) is not securely attached, or

b) bolt or nut is missing, significantly corroded or not suitable, or

c) is cracked, distorted or significantly deteriorated, or

d) has corrosion damage within 150mm of the mounting points, or

e) pivot is seized, worn beyond manufacturer’s specifications, or not securely attached.

12. The fifth wheel release mechanism:

a) is not in good condition, eg the handle is bent or damaged, or

b) does not operate freely (check only if presented without trailer attached).

13. The fifth wheel locking mechanism:

a) is not in good condition, eg jaws are worn beyond manufacturer’s specifications or out of adjustment, or

b) does not operate freely (check only if presented without trailer attached).

Modification and repair (Note 4)

14. A modification or repair affects the coupling and:

a) is not excluded from the requirements for HVS certification (Table 8-6-1), or

b) is not for the purpose of law enforcement or the provision of emergency services, or

c) is missing proof of HVS certification, ie the vehicle has been modified or repaired, and:

i. no LANDATA record has been entered, or

ii. no valid LT400 form from an HVS certifier of category HVET or HMTD has been presented.

Table 8-6-1. Requirements for HVS certification

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation

• Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles 2004
• New Zealand Standard 5450: 1989, Coupling Devices for Articulated Vehicles – Fifth Wheel Assemblies
• Australian Standard 1773-1996: Articulated Vehicles – Fifth Wheel Assemblies
• Australian Standard 1771-1996: Installation of Fifth Wheel and Turntable Assemblies
• Australian Standard 2174-1994: Articulated Vehicles – Mechanical Coupling between Prime Movers and Semi-Trailers – Interchangeability Requirements
• Australian Standard 2174-2006:Articulated Vehicles – Mechanical coupling between prime movers and semitrailers – Interchangeability requirements
• Australian/New Zealand Standard 4968.1-2003: Heavy-road vehicles – Mechanical coupling between articulated vehicle combinations – Design criteria and selection requirements for fifth wheel, kingpin and associated equipment
• Australian/New Zealand Standard 4968.2-2003: Heavy-road vehicles – Mechanical coupling between articulated vehicle combinations – Testing and installation of fifth wheel and associated equipment
• New Zealand Standard 5446: 1987, Code of Practice for Heavy Motor Vehicle Towing Connections: Drawbar Trailers
• New Zealand Standard 5446: 2007, Heavy Vehicle Towing Connections – Drawbeams and Drawbars.

Mandatory equipment

1. A trailer that is constructed to tow a semi-trailer must be fitted with either:

a) a 50mm diameter fifth wheel, or

b) a 90mm diameter fifth wheel, or

c) a ball-type coupling certified to NZS 5446 and be operated as part of a dedicated coupling.

2. A 50mm diameter fifth wheel must comply with:

a) NZS 5450: 1989, or

b) all of the following:

i. Australian/New Zealand Standard 4968.1-2003: Heavy-road vehicles – Mechanical coupling between articulated vehicle combinations – Design criteria and selection requirements for fifth wheel, kingpin and associated equipment, and

ii. Australian/New Zealand Standard 4968.2-2003: Heavy-road vehicles – Mechanical coupling between articulated vehicle combinations – Testing and installation of fifth wheel and associated equipment, and

iii. Australian Standard 2174-2006: Articulated Vehicles – Mechanical coupling between prime movers and semitrailers – Interchangeability requirements.

3. A 90mm diameter fifth wheel installed before 1 April 2005 must comply with NZS 5450: 1989.

4. A 90mm diameter fifth wheel installed on or after 1 April 2005 and before 29 December 2007 must comply with:

a) Australian Standard 1773–1996 (Note 1), and

b) Australian Standard 1771–1996 (Note 1), and

c) Australian Standard 2174–1994.

5. A 90mm diameter fifth wheel installed on or after 29 December 2007 must comply with:

a) AS/NZS 4968.1–2003, and

b) AS/NZS 4968.2–2003, and

c) AS 2174–2006.

6. A trailer that is fitted with a 90mm diameter fifth wheel must have clearly displayed, in a position readily visible from the position from which the release handle of the fifth wheel is operated, ‘90mm fifth wheel’ where ‘90’ must be not less than 60mm high.

7. A rigid fifth wheel fitted to a trailer must be installed and maintained in accordance with the fifth-wheel manufacturer’s instructions.

Condition

8. Towing connection components fitted to a trailer must ensure that a secure connection can be maintained between the towing and towed vehicles under all conditions of loading and operations for which the vehicle was constructed.

Modification and repair

9. A modification or repair that affects the coupling must be inspected and certified by an HVS certifier of category HVET or HMTD unless the vehicle:

a) excluded from the requirement for HVS certification (Table 8-6-1), and

b) has been inspected in accordance with the requirements in this manual, including those for equipment, condition and performance.