Rules of the Road and Towing Laws
Categories
[1] Height
[2] Width
[3] Trailer Length
[4] Motorhome Length
[5] 2-Vehicle Combined
Length
[6] Triple Towing Allowed
[7] Safety Chain
[8] Breakaway Switch
[9] Fire Extinguisher
In RV
[10] Flares or Reflective
Signs
[11] Weight of Trailer
Requiring Brakes
(Unladen)
[12] Wipers On/
Lights On
[13] In Fifth-Wheel
Trailer
[14] In Pickup Camper
[15] In Travel Trailer
[16] Overnight Parking
Permit in State Rest
Areas
Rules of the Road and Towing Laws
U S
Alabama [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 40ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [7] [8] Required on trailers over 3000 lbs [9] Suggested but not required [11] 3000 [12] [14] [16] As posted
Alaska [1] 14ft [2] 8½ft [3] 40ft [4] 45ft [5] 75ft [7] [8] Required on trailers over 3000 lbs [10] [11] 5000 [14] [16]
Arizona [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft on certain federal road systems [3] 40ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [6] w/qualifications. Only w/5th Wheel trailer [8] Required on trailers over 3000 lbs [11] 3000 gross weight requiring brakes [13] [14] [15] [16] Prohibited where posted
Arkansas [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 43½ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [6] [7] [8] Required on trailers over 3000 lbs [10] [11] 1500 lbs gross weight requiring brakes [12] [16]
California [1] 14ft [2] 8½ft [3] 40ft [4] 45ft Some exceptions or restrictions. See http://www.dot.ca.gov/ [5] 65ft [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] 1500 gross weight requiring brakes [12] [13] Riding in 5th wheel w/ aud/visual device & tow vehicle/safety glass At least one exit that can be opened from outside and inside [14] If rider & driver can talk; can open exits inside & out. Seat belts required [16] As posted
Colorado [1] 13ft [2] 8½ft [3] Not specified [4] 45ft [5] 70ft Some exceptions or restrictions [6] Some exceptions or restrictions Total maximum combined length of 70ft [7] [8] [11] 3000 gross weight requiring brakes [14] [16] As posted
Connecticut [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] Not specified [4] 45ft [5] 60ftOn designated rural interstates; some exceptions Trailer limited to 48ft in a 60ft combination [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] 3000 gross weight requiring brakes [12] [14] [16] As posted
Delaware [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 40ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [10] [11] 4000 [12] [14] [16] As posted
District of Columbia [1] 13½ft [2] 8ft Special wide-body regulations [3] Not specified [4] 40ft [5] 55ft [6] [7] [8] [11] 3000 gross weight requiring brakes [14]
Florida [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft on certain federal road systems [3] 40ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] 3000 gross weight requiring brakes [12] [14] [16] As posted
Georgia [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] Not specified [4] 45ft [5] 60ft [7] [9] [10] [11] 1500 [12] Headlights on when visibility < 500ft [14] Must have free access to drive compartment
Idaho [1] 14ft [2] 8½ft [3] 48ft [4] 45ft [5] 75ft [6] Total maximum combined length of 75ft [8] [11] 1500 [14] [16] As posted
Illinois [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 45ft [4] 45ft [5] 60ft [6] Maximum combined length 60ft on selected highways Only w/5th Wheel trailer (maximum len=23m) [7] On designated rural interstates; some exceptions [8] Required on trucks over 3700kg [10] [11] 3000 gross weight requiring brakes [12] [14]
Indiana [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 40ft [4] 45ft [5] 60ft [6] Total maximum combined length of 65ft [7] [8] [10] [11] 3000 gross weight requiring brakes [13] [14] [15] [16]
Iowa [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 53ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [6] Total maximum combined length of 70ft [7] [8] [10] [11] 3000 [13] [14] [15] [16] As posted
Kansas [1] 14ft [2] 8½ft [3] Not specified [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [6] Total maximum combined length of 65ft [7] Required on bumper hitches only [8] [9] Suggested but not Required [10] [11] Must be able to stop in 40ft at 20 mph [13] 14 years of age and older [14] 14 years of age and older [15] 14 years of age and older [16] As posted
Kentucky [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ [3] Not specified [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [6] Total maximum combined length of 65ft [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] 3000 Required if weight of trailer exceeds 40% of tow-vehicle weight [12] [14]
Louisiana [1] 14ft [2] 8½ft [3] 40ft [4] 45ft [5] 70ft [6] Total maximum combined length of 70ft [7] Required on trailers over 6000 lbs ) [8] Required on trailers over 3000 lbs [10] [11] 3000 [14] [16] As posted
Maine [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 48ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [7] [11] 3000 [12] [16] As posted
Maryland [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 40ft [4] 40ft [5] 55ft [7] [8] Required if weight of trailer exceeds 40% of tow-vehicle weight [9] [10] [11] 3000 gross weight requiring brakes [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] As posted
Massachusetts [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 40ft [4] 45ft [5] 60ft [7] [11] 10,000 [14] [16] Prohibited where posted
Michigan [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 45ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [6] Maximum combined length 60ft on selected highways [7] [8] [11] 3000 [13] [14] [15] [16] As posted
Minnesota [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 45ft [4] 45ft [5] 60ft [6] Maximum combined length 60ft on selected highways [7] [8] Required on trailers over 6000 lbs [10] [11] 3000 gross weight requiring brakes [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] As posted
Mississippi [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 40ft [4] 45ft [5] 53ft [6] [7] [8] [10] [11] 2000 gross weight requiring brakes
Missouri [1] 14ft Some exceptions or restrictions [2] 8½ft Some exceptions or restrictions [3] Not specified [4] 45ft [5] 65ftSome exceptions or restrictions [6] Some exceptions or restrictions Total maximum combined length of 65ft [7] Required on bumper hitches only [11] Not specified [13] [14] [15] [16]
Montana [1] 14ft [2] 8½ftSpecial wide-body regulations [3] Not specified [4] 55ft [5] 65ft [6] Total maximum combined length of 70ft [7] [8] [10] [11] 3000 [13] [14] [16] As posted
Nebraska [1] 14½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 40ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [6] Total maximum combined length of 65ft [7] [8] Required on trailers over 3000 lbs [10] [11] 3000 [13] [14] [15]
Nevada [1] 14ft [2] 8½ft [3] Not specified [4] 45ft [5] 70ft [6] Total maximum combined length of 70ft [7] [8] Required on trailers over 3000 lbs [11] 1500 [14] [16] As posted
New Hampshire [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 48ft [4] 45ft [5] Not specified [7] [11] 3000
New Jersey [1] 13½ft [2] 8ft; 8½ on certain federal road systems [3] 40ft [4] 40ft [5] 62ft [7] [8] [10] [11] 3000 [12] [13] [14] [16] As posted
New Mexico [1] 14fton designated rural interstates. Some exceptions [2] 8½ft [3] 40ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [6] [7] [10] [11] 3000 gross weight requiring brakes [14] [16] As posted
New York [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft Some exceptions or restrictions [3] 48ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [7] [11] 1000Required on trailers over 1000 lbs unladen or 3000 lbs laden [12] [13] [14] [16] As posted
North Carolina [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 35ft[4] 45ft [5] 60ft [7] [11] 4000 [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] As posted
North Dakota [1] 14ft [2] 8½ft [3] 53ft [4] 50ft [5] 75ft [6] Total maximum combined length of 75ft [7] [8] [10] [11] 3000 [13] [14] [16] As posted
Ohio [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 40ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [6] Total maximum combined length of 65ft [7] [8] [11] 2000 gross weight requiring brakes [14]
Oklahoma [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 40ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [6] Total maximum combined length of 65ft [7] [8] [10] [11] 3000 [14] [16]
Oregon [1] 14ft [2] 8½ft [3] 45ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft Maximum combined length 60ft on selected highways Special permit required [7] [13] If rider/driver can communicate; can open exits inside & out. Safety glass required. [14] [16] 12-hour limit
Pennsylvania [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft on all state routes On some other roads 8ft limits are posted [3] Not specified Maximum combined length 60ft on selected highways [4] 45ft [5] 60ft [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] Required on trailers over 3000 lbs or if trailer GW exceeds tow vehicle empty weight Required if weight of trailer exceeds 40% of tow-vehicle weight [12] [13] Riding in 5th wheel w/ audio or visual device with tow vehicle & safety glass
Rhode Island [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] Not specified [4] 40ft [5] 60ft [8] [10] [11] 4000 [12] [14] [16]
South Carolina [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 48ft [4] 45ft [5] Not specified [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] 3000 gross weight requiring brakes [12] [14] [16] As posted
South Dakota [1] 14ftOn designated rural interstates; some exceptions [2] 8½ft [3] 53ft [4] 45ft [5] 80ft [6] Total maximum combined length of 75ft w/qualifications [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] 3000 [13] Riding in 5th wheel w/ audio/visual device with tow vehicle & safety glass [14] [16] 3 hr limit
Tennessee [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 40ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [6] Total maximum combined length of 65ft [7] [8] Required on trailers over 3000 lbs [9] [10] [11] 1500 [12] [16]
Texas [1] 14ft [2] 8½ft [3] Not specified [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [6] Total maximum combined length of 65ft [7] [8] Required on trailers 3000 lbs and over [10] [11] 4500 [14] [16] As posted 24-hour limit
Utah [1] 14ft [2] 8½ft [3] 40ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [6] Total maximum combined length of 65ft; some exceptions or restrictions [7] [8] Required on trailers over 3000 lbs [9] [10] [11] 2000 [14] [16] 24-hour limit
Vermont [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 53ft [4] 46ft [5] 68ft [7] [8] Required on trailers over 3000 lbs [9] [10] [11] 3000 [14]
Virginia [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 45ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft [7] [8] Required on trailers 3000 lbs and over [11] 3000 [12] [14] [16] As posted
Washington [1] 14ft [2] 8½ft [3] 53ft [4] 46ft [5] 75ft [7] [8] Required on trailers over 3000 lbs [9] [10] [11] 3000 [14] [16] 8 hr limit
West Virginia [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 40ft [4] 45ft [5] 65ft[7] [8] [10] [11] 3000Required if weight of trailer exceeds 40% of tow-vehicle weight Gross weight requiring brakes [12] [13] [14]
Wisconsin [1] 13½ft [2] 8½ft [3] 48ft [4] 40ft(pending legislation) [5] 60ft Maximum combined length 60ft on selected highways [6] Maximum combined length 60ft on selected highways [7] [11] 3000 gross weight requiring brakes [13] Some exceptions or restrictions [14]
Wyoming [1] 14ft [2] 8½ft [3] 45ft [4] 60ft [5] 85ft [6] 85ft [7] [11] Must be able to stop in 40 feet at 20 mph [14] [16]
Canada
Alberta [1] 4.15m [2] 2.6m [3] 12.5m [4] 12.5m [5] 20m [6] With certain qualifications. [7] Two safety chains or breakaway switch. Required on trailers [8] Required if gross weight is more than 1350kg [9] Headlights or daytime running lights required at all times [11] 2000 lbs Required if trailer exceeds 50% of tow-vehicle weight
British Columbia [1] 4.15m [2] 2.6m [3] 12.5m [4] 13m [5] 20m [7] [8] [10] [11] 1400kg required if trailer exceeds 50% of tow-vehicle weight LADEN
Manitoba [1] 4.15m [2] 2.6m [3] 12.5m [4] 12.5m [5] 21.5m [6] Total maximum combined length of 23m; ball hitch OK on 5th wheel only [7] [10] Required on trucks over 3700kg [11] 910kg gross weight requiring brakes [14] [16]
New Brunswick [1] 4.15m [2] 2.6m [3] 12.5m [4] 12.5m [5] 23m [7] [8] Required on trailers over 3000 lbs [10] [11] Required on trailers over 3000 lbs or if trailer GW exceeds empty weight of tow vehicle [14] [16] As posted
Newfoundland/Labrador [1] 4.15m [2] 2.6m [3] 12.5m [4] 12.5m [5] 23m [7] [8] Only if required by CSA at time of manufacture [9] Only if required by CSA at time of manufacture [10] Required if gross weight is over 2500kg [11] See provincial regulations [14] Not specified [16] As posted
NW Territories [1] 4.2m [2] 2.6m [3] Not specified Total maximum combined length of 23m; ball hitch OK on 5th wheel only [4] 12.5m [5] Not specified [7] [8] [11] 1360kg [12] Headlights or daytime running lights Required at all times [14] Seats must be equipped with safety belts [16] As posted
Nova Scotia [1] 4.15m [2] 2.6m [3] 12.5m [4] 12.5m [5] 23m [6] Total maximum length of 72ft [7] [8] [10] [11] 1800kg [14] Seats must be equipped with safety belts
Ontario [1] 4.15m [2] 2.6m [3] 12.5m [4] 12.5m [5] 23m [7] [11] 1360kg Gross weight requiring brakes [14] [16] As posted
Prince Edward Island [1] 4.15m [2] 2.6m [3] 12.5m [4] 12.5m [5] 23m [7] [11] 1500kg [13] Not specified [14] Not specified [15] [16] As posted
Quebec [1] 4.15m [2] 2.6m [3] 12.5m [4] 12.5m [5] 23m [6] Total maximum length of 62ft [7] Two safety chains or breakaway switch Required on trailers [8] Two safety chains or breakaway switch required on trailers [10] Required if RV is wider than 2 meters [11] 1300kgRequired if trailer exceeds 50% of tow-vehicle weight [14] Seats must be equipped w/ safety belts [16] As posted
Saskatchewan [1] 4.15m [2] 2.6m [3] 12.5m [4] 12.5m; 14m with permit [5] 23m [6] Only with fifth-wheel trailer [7] [11] 1360kg Gross weight requiring brakes Must have free access to drive compartment [14] Not recommended
Yukon [1] 4.9m [2] 2.6m [3] 16.15m [4] 16.15m [5] 25m [6] [7] [8] [10] [11] 910kg required exceeds 50% of tow vehicle weight LADEN [12] Headlights on when visibility < 500. Always outside of city [14] Not specified [16] As posted