How Trailer Towing Regulations Work When you take a road trip in the U.S., you may cross multiple states. Although you may be a law-abiding tower in one state, you could be breaking trailer towing laws in another. For instance, if you cross over from Alabama to Mississippi, you could suddenly be exceeding the maximum towing speed, which falls 10 mph (16 kph). In addition, states differ on their rules about multiple trailers. If you're hauling a camper and a Jet Ski behind it, you'd be OK in South Carolina, but breaking the law once you cross the Georgia state line. Obviously, the laws for towing trailers can get confusing, so we'll break them down. First, let's get the bare necessities out of the way. No matter where you are in the U.S., you'll have to make sure the trailer you're towing is equipped with: Taillights: The trailer needs operable taillights for basic road safety. License plate light: Make sure to clearly display your license plate with its own light.

There's also equipment that, aside from being common sense to have for safety, is also required in the vast majority of states: Safety chains: These chains, which cross over in the shape of an X to connect the trailer to the towing vehicle, help prevent separation if the hitch connection fails. Brake lights: Your trailer isn't transparent. The people behind you are already having enough trouble seeing around your trailer for stops ahead, so the trailer should have brake lights of its own to prevent a rear-end collision. Clearance lights: These might be required only if your trailer exceeds a certain width. Turn signals: If, for instance, your trailer blocks your vehicle's signal lights, it's good to have separate turn signal lights on the trailer. Reflectors: These are an invaluable precaution to keep your large trailer visible. The following is extra safety equipment that some states require: Breakaway brakes: Like safety chains, these prevent accidents when your hitch fails.

These are power brakes that apply to the trailer upon separation from the tow vehicle. Flares: Keep these at hand to clear off a section of the road after an accident. Tie-downs: If you are loading anything on a trailer that could possibly fall off, you'll need tie-downs to secure it at multiple angles. Luis Castaneda Inc./The Image Bank/Getty Images Improper braking is one of the biggest mistakes to make while towing. motorcycles for sale grand forks ndIt's also the easiest for those unused to hauling such weight. motorcycle tires newark ohioThe more weight you are pulling, the more momentum you have, and the longer distance it will take to stop. motorcycles for sale in metairie la

This is why most states require towers to get trailer brakes when their rig exceeds a certain weight limit, sometimes as low as 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms). Braking is also more dangerous as speed increases, so all states stipulate a max towing speed, which can be as low as 45 mph (72 kph). As we saw in the earlier example, there are also some important differences in dimension requirements among trailer towing laws by state. motorcycle boots northamptonshireFor instance, the trailer typically must be as narrow as 8 or 8 1/2 feet. hayes diesel motorcycle for saleThe length of the entire rig could be restricted, sometimes as low as 53 feet (16 meters). motorcycle dealerships binghamton ny

Or the trailer itself may not be longer than 35 feet (10.7 meters) in some places. The height is often capped at 12 to 14 feet (3.7 to 4.3 meters). If you do end up in an accident, you'll want to be insured. So next we'll talk about trailer towing insurance.December 2016 Violation and Citation: Client was stopped for not using a turn signal and traveling off the road to the right. illinois motorcycle helmet law 2011The officer smelled alcohol. Client had passengers who were clearly drunk. Client was removed from the car to perform sobriety tests. Client failed miserably the sobriety tests. Client refused the breath test. June 2016 Violation and Citation: Client was stopped for doing 145mph in a 70mph zone (the kind of stuff the police live for). After cited with a huge speeding charge, the client’s concern was loosing the right to drive at all for 1 year. Result: Negotiations with the State resulted in a conviction for 145mph …

November 2016 Violation and Citation: Client was cited for reckless operation. The officer alleged that client was spinning his tires through an intersection (hole shot) with the engine racing the whole time and the tires smoking. Result: Review of the officer’s video indicated that this may not have been the case. Negotiations with the prosecutor … September 2016 Violation and Citation: Client was pulled over for stopping beyond the stop bar at an intersection. The officer smelled an odor of alcohol and client had glassy bloodshot eyes. Client failed the sobriety tests. Client blew a .158 breath alcohol. Client was cited for OVI and Traffic Control Device. Result: Motion to throw the … November 2016 Violation and Citation: Client was stopped for the registration sticker on the license plate having expired. Further inquiry by the officer found that’s the plates on the vehicle were registered to another vehicle. Client was issued a citation for Fictitious Registration Result: Clint had purchased the current vehicle 10 months earlier.

2nd OVI, Driving Under Suspension, No Turn Signal, OVI, Physical Control, Super OVI Client was stopped for not using a turn signal and traveling off the road to the right. Client was cited for OVI, Super OVI and turn signal violation. This was client’s 2nd OVI in 6 years, and 3rd overall. Client faced a minimum of 20 days in jail and a minimum 1 year license suspension. While this case was pending, client was cited for driving under suspension, an automatic 3 days in jail and license suspension. Client was medically “obese” and I argued that the sobriety tests were invalid because of client’s weight. Negotiations with the prosecutor resulted in a conviction for Physical Control, 20 days suspended jail on the condition of no alcohol consumption for 1 year, an alcohol evaluation with completed follow-up, $1,000 fine, 0 points assessed, no license suspensions and no reinstatement fees. DUS was amended to violating a license restriction with costs and 2 points. Client was stopped for doing 145mph in a 70mph zone (the kind of stuff the police live for).

After cited with a huge speeding charge, the client’s concern was loosing the right to drive at all for 1 year. Negotiations with the State resulted in a conviction for 145mph in a 70mph, 0 points assessed, $750 fine, and no license suspension. Client was cited for reckless operation. The officer alleged that client was spinning his tires through an intersection (hole shot) with the engine racing the whole time and the tires smoking. Review of the officer’s video indicated that this may not have been the case. Negotiations with the prosecutor resulted in a conviction for 29mph in a 25mph. $100 fine and court costs, 0 points assessed. Client was able to complete the case in writing and did not have to return to court. OVI, Reckless Operation, Sobriety Test Client was pulled over for stopping beyond the stop bar at an intersection. Client was cited for OVI and Traffic Control Device. Motion to throw the case out was contemplated, and upon meeting about the motion and other issues with the prosecutor, it was found that there was a problem with the breath machine.

Negotiations with the prosecutor resulted in a conviction for Reckless Operation with a $100 fine, 4 points assessed, and the license suspension was terminated, no further license suspension imposed, and no reinstatement fees. Expired, False, or Ficticious Plates, License Plate Registration Client was stopped for the registration sticker on the license plate having expired. Client was issued a citation for Fictitious Registration Clint had purchased the current vehicle 10 months earlier. Client thought that he was able to just swap the plate to the new vehicle until the registration renewal period (which had expired 6 months earlier). Client immediately went to the registrars office, and registered the vehicle. Negotiations with the prosecutor resulted in the charges being dismissed with client paying court costs. No License Plate Light, Running a Red Light Client was a trucker who was cited for running a red light in town. Client had a clean record. Discussions with the prosecutor resulted in a conviction for No License Plate Light (a non-moving violation), with a $50 fine and 0 points assessed.

Alcohol School, Jail, Marked Lanes, OVI, Physical Control, Sobriety Test, Super OVI Client was pulled over for going over the white edge line several times and almost going off the roadway. The officer had to activate the siren several times before the client realized the officer was trying to stop him (the overhead cruiser lights had been on for some time). Client’s eyes were bloodshot and glassy and the officer smelled alcohol on client. Client admitted to drinking. Client failed the Standard Field Sobriety tests, but passed the alphabet and counting tests. Client was cited with OVI, Super OVI (prior in 2007), and Marked Lanes. Client faced a minimum of 6 days in jail. Client completed the 3 day alcohol school before his court date. Negotiations with the prosecutor resulted in a conviction for Physical Control, $750 fine, 0 points assessed, no license suspensions and no reinstatement fees. All other charges were dismissed. Anger Management Classes, Assault, Minor Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct, Self Defense

Client was charged with assault at a local NASCAR event. Client’s position was client was engaged in self-defense when client gave a woman a black eye. The State stood firm that it was either a plea to the assault or trial. Client had a prior assault history. Negotiations broke down, so I started trial preparation. Witness were contacted in Michigan and Indiana, with all willing to testify on clients behalf. Prior to trial, the State offered a charge of minor misdemeanor disorderly conduct. Penalty was an 8 hour anger management class, $150 fine, and restitution of $70. CDL license, Out of State, Speeding, Tailgating (Following Too Close) Client was trucker that was stopped and cited for Following Too Close (tailgating) on the interstate. Offense is a serious violation for CDL holders. Negations with the State resulted in a conviction for speed, with a $100 fine and 0 points assessed. Client was from another state and able to get case resolved in writing (did not have to come back to Ohio).