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