You want to escape the cubicle. You want fresh air, lake water and whatever charred hot dog you can manage over a fire. It’s the perfect family experience. However, there is one memory you definitely do not want to make. This is the kind of situation where a state trooper can pull you over for violating a trailer towing ordinance that you didn’t even know existed.
It’s easy to get carried away. You look at the biggest, baddest RV on the property and think it’s the ultimate status symbol. But trailer towing rules are a minefield. Most states have length, width, and height restrictions. They are also obsessed with their weight. Adding a trailer increases speed. Momentum kills. If the weight is too great, special brakes are needed. You might not get a ticket for driving on the highway, but if you cause an accident and the police find out that you don’t have proper braking ability, you are in hot water. Legal hot water.
Planning this trip involves more than buying flashlights and marshmallows. Trailer towing safety rules must be followed to avoid liability and pile-up accidents. You should check the trailer towing guidelines for your state and any states you drive through. If you use equipment that exceeds legal limits, you may need a special permit to cross state lines.
Sounds like a hassle? It is. But let’s simplify it. Here are the basic requirements required by each state, as well as more stringent rules that may surprise hobbyists.
Minimum Requirements: Federal and General Requirements
When you cross US state lines, more than just the landscape changes. You are changing jurisdiction. Being a law-abiding tower with Alabama law does not mean it is legal in Mississippi.
For example, if you are entering Mississippi from Alabama, you may suddenly exceed your maximum towing speed. That limit drops by 10 miles per hour. The maximum width narrows by 6 inches, so your trailer can suddenly become too wide. Trailer brakes may be necessary because the weight limit drops by 1,000 pounds. If you’re hauling a camper and a Jet Ski, that’s fine in South Carolina, but illegal in Georgia.
The law is complicated. Let’s get the non-negotiables out of the way now. Wherever you are, your trailer needs:
- Taillight : Functional taillights are the basis of traffic safety. Period.
- License plate light : License plates must be clearly visible. The lights must work.
This is all common sense. However, for true safety, most states also require devices such as:
- Safety chains : These chains cross in an X shape and connect the trailer to the tow vehicle. If the hitch fails, these chains can catch on the trailer and prevent it from separating completely.
- Brake light : The trailer is opaque. It will be difficult for the drivers behind you to see your massive footprint. Trailers must have their own brake lights to prevent rear-end collisions.
- Clearance Light : Required if the trailer exceeds a certain width.
- Turn signals : If the trailer blocks the vehicle’s signal, another indicator must be installed on the trailer.
- Reflector : A very important precaution. Other people can see the big trailer, especially at night.
Extra Gear: When States Get Picky
Some states require more. These additional protections are more than just bureaucratic noise. This prevents disasters.
- Breakaway brakes : Similar to safety chains, these brakes can prevent accidents if the hitch fails. These are power brakes that activate automatically if the trailer detaches from the towing vehicle.
- Flares : Keep this handy. After the accident, they cleared part of the road to warn oncoming traffic.
- Tie-downs : When loading objects that can fall, anchors are needed. Attached firmly from several angles. Loose gear becomes a projectile.
Improper braking are the biggest mistake of new towers. This is also the easiest to fix. The more weight you pull, the more momentum you have. It takes a long time to stop. That’s why most states require trailer brakes if your trailer exceeds a certain weight limit. Limits can be as low as 1,500 pounds. Braking at high speeds is also dangerous. All states have a maximum towing speed that can be as low as 45 mph.
Dimensions and legal restrictions
In the previous example, we saw that the size requirements were very different. Trailers are generally required to be 8 feet or 8 1/2 feet wide. The length of the entire rig may be limited, and in some cases as low as 53 feet. Depending on your location, the trailer may not be longer than 35 feet.
Height is usually limited to 12-14 feet. If you’re towing a tall pop-up camper, you might hit the limit sooner than you think.
In the unlikely event that you have an accident, you should take out insurance. Next, let’s talk about trailer towing insurance.
