Trailer Towing Laws By State 2025

Yes
43
No
8
State
Safety Chains Required when Towing
Brakes Required for Trailers Over
Max Trailer Dimensions
Additional Details
Alaska Flag
Alaska 5,000
  • Total length: 75 ft
  • Max Trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 14 ft
  • Over 5000 lbs - breakaway switch.
  • All RVs: flares or reflective signs, fire extinguisher and gas detector.
Arkansas Flag
Arkansas 3,000
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 43 ft 6 in
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in.
  • Over 3,000 lbs - Breakaway switch.
California Flag
California 1,500
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 14 ft.
  • Over 1,500 lbs: all power-brake systems require a breakaway switch.
  • Chains may be required during winter months on mountain roads.
  • Required light, mirrors, or devices may not extend more than 10 inches on each side of the vehicle. Door handles and hinges may extend 3 inches on each side of the vehicle.
Colorado Flag
Colorado 3,000
  • Total length: 70 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: not specified
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 14 ft 6 in
  • Chains or snow tires required when posted.
  • Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes and breakaway switch.
  • Allowed outside width to exceed 102 inches if excess is due to an appurtenance.
Connecticut Flag
Connecticut 3,000
  • Total length: 60 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 102 in (excludes appurtenances)
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Over 3,000 lbs.: safety chains, breakaway switch and trailer brakes.
District of Columbia Flag
District of Columbia 3,000
  • Total length: 55 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: not specified
  • Width: not available
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: safety chain, breakaway switch, trailer brakes.
Florida Flag
Florida 3,000
  • Total length: 65 ft (excludes safety devices approved by the state)
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft (excludes safety devices approved by the state)
  • Width: 102 in (excludes mirrors and safety devices)
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes, breakaway switch and safety chains.
  • Pole trailers with a gross weight in excess of 3,000 lbs. manufactured prior to January 1, 1972, need not be equipped with brakes.
Hawaii Flag
Hawaii 3,000
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 108 in
  • Height: 14 ft
  • Each island's government may have specific requirements.
Illinois Flag
Illinois 3,000
  • Total length: 60 ft (excludes safety and energy conservation devices)
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 42 ft (includes bumpers)
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Safety chains and flares required on all trailers.
  • Over 5,000 lbs.: brakes on all axles and breakaway switch.
Indiana Flag
Indiana 3,000
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Trailers over 3,000 lbs also need breakaway switch.
Iowa Flag
Iowa 3,000
  • Total length: 70 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 53 ft
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 14 ft.
  • Every trailer of a GVW of 3,000 lbs. or more must be equipped with a separate, auxiliary means of applying the brakes on the trailer from the cab of the towing vehicle.
Kansas Flag
Kansas
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: not specified
  • Width: 102 inches (allows outside Width to exceed 102 inches if excess is attributed to appurtenances)
  • Height: 14 ft.
  • Requires adequate "safety hitch" and safety chains.
  • Requires any vehicle combination to stop in 40 feet at 20 mph.
Louisiana Flag
Louisiana 3,000
  • Total length: 70 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 96 in (a Width of 102 inches allowed on certain roads)
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Over 3,000 lbs. also breakaway switch.
  • Every trailer or semitrailer manufactured after 1962 must be equipped with brakes upon all wheels.
  • Every trailer or semitrailer between 3,001 and 5,000 lbs. only requires brakes on 1 axle.
Maine Flag
Maine 3,000
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 48 ft
  • Width: 102 in (mirrors are permitted to extend beyond the total outside Width of vehicle)
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • All trailers: 1/4-in. safety chains.
  • Over 3,000 lbs.: brakes on all axles.
Maryland Flag
Maryland 3,000
  • Total length: 55 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Tunnel Regulations: Trailer hitch must be reinforced or braced to the frame of the towing vehicle.
  • Safety chains must be attached to the frame of the towing vehicle and not to the pintle hook.
  • No propane tanks in tunnels.
  • Over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes, breakaway switch and safety chains required.
Massachusetts Flag
Massachusetts 10,000
  • Total length: 60 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 102 in (allows outside Width to exceed 102 in if due to an appurtenance and the state may exclude safety devices)
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Trailer brakes, chains and wheel chocks.
  • No propane allowed in tunnels (in Boston, I-90, I-93, Rt. 1A; in Newton, I-90).
Michigan Flag
Michigan 3,000
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 45 ft
  • Width: 102 in (allows outside Width to exceed 102 inches due to an appurtenance)
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • All trailers: two chains of sufficient strength are required when towing
  • Independent braking system required when gross weight exceeds 15,000 lbs.
Minnesota Flag
Minnesota 3,000
  • Total length: 60 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 45 ft
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes, two safety chains, glass mirror and hitch to safety stands
  • Over 6,000 lbs.: breakaway switch.
Mississippi Flag
Mississippi 2,000
  • Total length: 53 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Trailers over 2,000 lbs.: trailer brakes and safety chains
Missouri Flag
Missouri 3,000
  • Total length: 55 ft (65 ft vehicle combinations are allowed on certain roads)
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: not specified
  • Width: 96 in (a Width of 102 inches is allowed on certain roads)
  • Height: 14 ft (some roads have a 13 foot 6 in Height limit)
  • Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes and breakaway switch recommended.
  • Safety chains required for bumper hitches.
  • Independent braking system not required except on trailers coupled by a 5th wheel and kingpin.
Montana Flag
Montana 3,000
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: not specified
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 14 ft
  • All RVs should have flares or reflective signs.
  • Trailers under 3,000 lbs.: safety chains minimum 1/4 in. in diameter.
  • Over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes, breakaway switch and safety chains.
  • Passenger vehicles less than 2,000 lbs. GVW may tow 1 trailer; this combination shall not exceed 65 feet. Three-unit combinations shall not exceed 65 feet. Three-unit combinations permitted if rear unit is equipped with breakaway brakes.
Nebraska Flag
Nebraska 3,000
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 102 in (allows outside Width to exceed 102 in if excess is due to an appurtenance)
  • Height: 14 ft 6 in
  • ll RVs are required to have flares or reflective signs.
  • Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes on each wheel, breakaway switch and safety chains.
Nevada Flag
Nevada 1,500
  • Total length: 70 ft (excludes safety and energy conservation devices)
  • Trailer dimensions:
  • Length: not specified
  • Width: 102 in (excluding mirrors, lights, and other devices required for safety)
  • Height: 14 ft
  • Nevada requires all trailers to be installed with safety chains.
  • Every trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer at least 1,500 lbs. and manufactured after July 1, 1975 must be equipped with service brakes on all wheels.
  • Trailers, semitrailers, house trailers, or pole trailers, manufactured before July 1, 1975 and weighing less than 3,000 lbs. need not have brakes on all wheels.
  • Every trailer, semitrailer, house trailer, and pole trailer equipped with air or vacuum-actuated brakes and every trailer, semitrailer, house trailer, and pole trailer exceeding 3,000 lbs. and manufactured after July 1, 1969 must be equipped with brakes acting on all wheels, and of such character as to be applied automatically and remain applied for 15 minutes in the event of a breakaway from the towing vehicle.
New Hampshire Flag
New Hampshire 3,000
  • Total length: not specified
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 48 ft
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in.
  • Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes, breakaway switch, safety chains and lights.
  • Requires any vehicle combination to stop in 30 feet at 20 mph.
New Jersey Flag
New Jersey 3,000
  • Total length: 53 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 102 in (excludes devices or appurtenances related to safe and efficient operation of vehicle
  • certain appurtenances may extend up to 3 in on each side of the vehicle)
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes, breakaway switch, chains, and safety glass.
New Mexico Flag
New Mexico 3,000
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft (includes bumpers)
  • Width: 102 in (allows outside Width to exceed 102 in if the excess is due to an appurtenance)
  • Height: 14 ft
  • Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes and chains.
New York Flag
New York 1,000
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 48 ft
  • Width: 96 in (102 in allowed on certain designated roads)
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Trailers over 1,000 lbs. unladen and trailers having a maximum gross weight in excess of 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes and safety chains.
North Carolina Flag
North Carolina 4,000
  • Total length: 60 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 48 ft
  • Width: 96 in (excludes mirrors and safety devices
  • 102 in permitted on designated roads)
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • All RVs: safety glass.
North Dakota Flag
North Dakota
  • Total length: 75 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 53 ft (unless registered in the state before July 1, 1987 and includes bumpers)
  • Width: 8 1/2 ft (an appurtenance may extend beyond the body of the vehicle no more than 6 inches)
  • Height: 14 ft
  • All RVs: flares or reflective signs and fire extinguisher.
  • All trailers: trailer brakes, safety chains, and breakaway switch.
  • Any trailer, semitrailer, or farm trailer with a gross weight, not including the towing vehicle, not exceeding 1,500 lbs., and not used for hire or commercial use; or when used to transport recreational vehicles or boats and is not for hire or commercial use, is exempt from registration. All other trailers, semitrailers, or farm trailers must be registered annually with the DOT.
Ohio Flag
Ohio 2,000
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Turn signals and brake lights.
  • Trailers over 2,000 lbs.: trailer brakes and breakaway switch.
  • Ohio Turnpike: Over 2,000 lbs.: turn signals and brake lights.
  • The original owner of any trailer weighing 4,000 lbs. or less and used exclusively for non-commercial purposes shall, upon application for initial registration, obtain and present such evidence of the trailer’s weight as the registrar may require.
Oklahoma Flag
Oklahoma
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • All trailers: coupling equipment designed to prevent swerving, trailer brakes, breakaway switch, and safety chains.
  • Rubber or fabric aprons behind rear wheels are required.
Oregon Flag
Oregon
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 45 ft
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 14 ft
  • Independent braking system not required, but combination of vehicles must be able to stop within legal limits.
  • All trailers must have full lighting equipment.
  • Hitches and chains must meet SAE standards and use recommendations.
  • Combinations of vehicles that include a motor vehicle and any other vehicle shall be equipped with a brake system on one or more of the vehicles sufficient to stop both from 20 mph without leaving a 12-foot-wide travel lane. Trailers equipped with pneumatic tires that are not operated with a loaded weight of more than 1,800 lbs. are not required to be registered.
Pennsylvania Flag
Pennsylvania 3,000
  • Total length: 75 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: not specified
  • Width: 102 in (mirrors and sun shades may extend up to 6 in on each side of vehicle)
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • All RVs or motor vehicles towing an RV: flares or reflective signs and fire extinguisher
  • All trailers: brakes and breakaway system if the gross trailer weight with load exceeds 40 percent of the towing vehicle’s gross weight with load.
  • Safety chains and lighting equipment (brakes, turn signals, reflectors).
South Carolina Flag
South Carolina 3,000
  • Total length: not specified
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 48 ft
  • Width: 102 in (allows total Width to exceed 102 in if the excess is due to an appurtenance)
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Trailers over 10,001 lbs., other than fifth-wheel trailers: chains, cable, etc.
South Dakota Flag
South Dakota 3,000
  • Total length: 75 ft (Includes bumpers
  • excludes safety and energy conservation devices, including mirrors, turn signals, lamps, and handholds. Overall length cannot exceed 75 ft with second trailer not exceeding 24 ft)
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 53 ft
  • Width: 102 in (Excludes safety and energy conservation devices.)
  • Height: 14 ft
  • All RVs: flares or reflective signs.
  • Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: breakaway switch and safety chains.
Tennessee Flag
Tennessee 1,500
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 102 in (excludes required clearance lights, rearview mirrors, other accessories, and safety devices)
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes, breakaway switch, safety chains (chains not required on gooseneck fifth-wheel trailers).
Texas Flag
Texas 4,500
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: not specified
  • Width: 102 in (excludes mirrors and safety devices)
  • Height: 14 ft
  • All trailers except fifth-wheels: safety chains.
  • Trailers over 4,500 lbs.: trailer brakes, breakaway switch, flares, and mirrors.
Utah Flag
Utah
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 102 in (can exceed 102 in if excess is due to an appurtenance)
  • Height: 14 ft
  • Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes, safety chains, and breakaway switch.
  • Requires any vehicle combination to stop in 40 feet at 20 mph.
Vermont Flag
Vermont 3,000
  • Total length: 75 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: not stated
  • Width: 102 in (allows outside Width to exceed 102 in if excess is attributed to appurtenance)
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes on one axle, breakaway switch, and safety chains.
  • Trailers over 6,000 lbs.: trailer brakes on all wheels, breakaway switch, and safety chains.
Virginia Flag
Virginia 3,000
  • Total length: 65 ft (includes coupling in the combination measurement)
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 45 ft
  • Width: 102 in (allows outside Width to exceed 102 in if excess is attributed to appurtenance)
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes, breakaway switch.
Washington Flag
Washington 3,000
  • Total length: 75 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 53 ft
  • Width: 8 1/2 ft
  • Height: 14 ft
  • All RVs: flares or reflective signs, fire extinguishers, and safety chains.
  • Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes, breakaway switch.
  • Vehicles over 10,001 lbs. GVWR and vehicle combinations are required to obey truck speed limits.
  • Permits rearview mirror to extend 5 inches and safety appurtenances and appliances such as clearance lights, door latches, door hinges, and turn signal brackets to extend 4 inches and an awning to extend 6 inches.
West Virginia Flag
West Virginia 3,000
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 96 in (the Width may extend to 102 in on certain roads and excludes mirrors and safety devices)
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Safety chains required; trailers over 3,000 lbs. GVWR: trailer brakes required.
Wisconsin Flag
Wisconsin 3,000
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 48 ft
  • Width: 102 in (excludes mirrors and safety devices)
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
Alabama Flag
Alabama 3,000
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 96 in
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • At 3,000 lbs.: flares and breakaway switch.
  • Total width 102 inches allowed on designated roads.
Arizona Flag
Arizona 3,000
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 96 in
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes, breakaway switch and safety chains.
  • Total width of 102 inches is allowed on certain roads.
Delaware Flag
Delaware 4,000
  • Total length: 65 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 40 ft
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Over 4,000 lbs.: trailer brakes and safety chains.
Georgia Flag
Georgia 3,000
  • Total length: 60 ft (excludes safety and energy conservation devices)
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: not specified
  • Width: 96 in
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • One mirror is required on all RVs. Over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes and safety chain.
  • Width of 102 inches allowed on certain roads.
Idaho Flag
Idaho 1,500
  • Total length: 75 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 48 ft
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 14 ft
  • Over 1,500 lbs.: trailer brakes, breakaway switch and safety chains.
Kentucky Flag
Kentucky
  • Total length: 65 ft (includes all structural parts)
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: not specified
  • Width: 96 in
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in (11 ft 6 in on some roads).
  • Kentucky law does not specifically require brakes on any passenger car trailers, regardless of weight., however yrailer brakes must be sufficient to stop within legal distance of 40 ft. at 20 mph.
Rhode Island Flag
Rhode Island 4,000
  • Total length: 60 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: not specified
  • Width: 102 in
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Over 4,000 lbs.: trailer brakes, breakaway switch, two safety chains, and flares
Wyoming Flag
Wyoming
  • Total length: 85 ft
  • Max trailer dimensions:
  • Length: 45 ft
  • Width: 102 in (excludes safety devices approved by the state)
  • Height: 14 ft
  • All house trailers are required to have flares or reflective signs.
  • All vehicles or combinations of vehicles must have sufficient brakes to stop within 40 ft. from an initial speed of 20 mph on a level, dry, smooth, hard surface.

Sources

  1. 2012 Indiana Code - Justia US Law
  2. AAA Towing Laws - AAA Public Affairs
  3. Alaska Chapter 4 - Motor Vehicles
  4. Arizona Lighting Laws - AZ Leg
  5. Arizona Trailer Length Laws - AZ Leg
  6. Arkansas Towing Requirements - Arkansas
  7. Article 17. - Uniform Act REgulating Traffic; Equipment of Vehicles - Kansas Equipment of Vehicles Laws
  8. California DMV Towing Rules - State of California
  9. Chapter 545 - Texas.Public.Law
  10. Colorado Trailer Towing Laws - Fang Law Firm
  11. Connecticut DMV - State of Connecticut
  12. Connecticut Legal Chapter on Trailers - CGA
  13. Delaware Trailer Towing Laws - The Delaware Code Online
  14. Eqiuipment Required for Trailers - New York DMV
  15. Florida Trailer Towing Laws - Online Sunshine
  16. Georgia Chapter 515-16 Transportation - Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
  17. Hawaii Code R 19-133.1-40 - Casetext Inc.
  18. Illinois Legislature - Illinois Compiled Statutes
  19. Iowa Brake, Hitch, and Control Laws - Iowa Code
  20. Iowa Mirror Laws - Iowa Code
  21. Iowa Trailer Laws - Iowa Code
  22. Kentucky Chapter 189 - Casetext Inc.
  23. Maryland Laws - Justia US Law
  24. Minnesota Trailer Towing - State of Minnesota
  25. Mississippi Code - Justia US Law
  26. Montana Laws - Laws
  27. Motor Vehicles - Idaho Legislature
  28. Motor Vehicles and Traffic - Maine Statutes
  29. Nevada Trailer Equipment Laws - DMV
  30. New Hampshire Title XXI - Justia US Law
  31. New Jersey Trailer Rules - State of New Jersey
  32. New Mexico Trailer Laws Chapter 13 - MVD New Mexico
  33. North Carolina Chapter 20 - Justia US Law
  34. North Dakota DOT - FAQ on Trailers
  35. Oregon DOT - Towing A Trailer
  36. Penn DOT Manual - Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations
  37. Rhode Island DMV - State of Rhode Islands
  38. Rules of the Road - Good Sam Enterprises
  39. South Carolina Statutes - South Carolina General Assembly
  40. South Dakota Title 32 - Justia US Law
  41. State Safety Chain Laws - Fifth Wheel Street
  42. Title 468 WAC - Washington Legislature
  43. Towing Laws - Brake Buddy
  44. Trailer Laws & Regulations by State - Trailers.com
  45. Utah Title 41 Chapter 6a - Utah State Legislature
  46. Vermont Chapter 23 - The Vermont Statutes Online
  47. Virginia - DMV 109
  48. West Virginia Chapter 17C - WV Legislature
  49. Wyoming Title 31 - Justia US Law