Alabama Trailer Laws and Regulations

If you often find yourself towing heavy loads around your state you probably have some idea of the state laws and rules that apply to do this. Some people may not be aware however that sometimes laws can differ state by state. This can mean you might be legal in one state but crossing the border you might well get pulled over for an infringement you were not expecting.

In this article we are going to look at the laws for Alabama which may vary from the state you might be driving in from. There may also be regulations you were not aware of as a native to the state which might catch you out. So read on and let us try and keep you from costly tickets.

Do You Need Tags on Your Trailer in Alabama?

We all know our tow vehicle needs tags because all motor vehicles do, it’s state and federal law. What some people may not know is that sometimes you need tags for your trailer as well. In Alabama for example all travel trailers and folding or collapsible trailers that are less than 20 years old will require an Alabama certificate of title.

Additionally any manufactured motor homes that are model year 2000 or newer must be titled. Another important consideration is that loads over 10,000 lbs. will require a special permit.

For legal purposes it should be noted that the term motor vehicle in the state refers to but is not limited to automobiles, mobile trailers, motorcycles, trucks, semi trailers and any other self-propelled devices used to transport people or property on a public highway.

Alabama General Towing Laws

These are general rules in Alabama regarding towing that you might come foul of if you were not aware of them. Sometimes you may get away with an infringement of these rules because you did not know them but you can not assume this will be the case.

• When it comes to passenger or pleasure vehicles you are limited to towing just one boat or general utility trailer. This means you can’t tow a trailer behind another trailer.
• In Alabama if you are caught riding on or in the trailer you may fall foul of the law as this is not permitted.
• If you have a house trailer that is more than 40 feet in length or in excess of 8 feet wide you will need a state permit to tow this on Alabama’s roads.

Alabama Trailer Dimension Rules

It is important to know the state laws governing the sizes of loads and trailers. You may need permits for some loads while others may not be allowed on certain types of roads.

• The total length of tow vehicle and trailer can not exceed 65 feet.
• The maximum length of the trailer can not exceed 40 feet including the bumpers.
• The maximum width for a trailer is 96 inches on most roads although some designated roads will allow a load of up to 102 inches in width.
• The maximum height of a trailer and load is 13 ft 6.”

Alabama Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

There are laws in Alabama that relate to the trailer hitch and safety signals displayed by the trailer. It is important to be aware of these laws as they are safety based so may carry potentially large fines.

• As you may imagine you must have a working connection between your tow vehicle and trailer electronics. If indicators and brake lights on the trailer are not operational you may be pulled over.
• The drawbar or connection between vehicle and trailer can not exceed 15 ft in length.
• In the case of large loads where red flags are required they should be no less than 12 inches in length and width and clearly displayed.

Alabama Trailer Lighting Laws

When you are towing something that will obscure the rear lights of your tow vehicle it is important to be able to communicate your upcoming and present actions in the form of lights. This is why there are rules regarding trailer lighting.

• All trailers, pole trailers, semi trailers or vehicles towed by another vehicle must be equipped with at least 1 tail lamp on the rear that will emit a red light from a distance of 500 feet. This lamp must be between 20 – 60 inches above the ground and operational.
• Trailers, semi trailers and pole trailers with a gross weight below 3,000 lbs. need 2 reflectors on the rear, one on each side.
• If brake lights are obscured by the trailer or load these must be compensated for with the trailer's own lights or an independent rig that connects to your tow vehicle's electrics.

Alabama Speed Limits

When it comes to speed limits this varies depending on the posted speeds of the specific area. You obviously should not exceed the posted speed limit in any area. When it comes to normal towing there are no specific different limits but it is expected that the speed is kept at a sensible level.

If for example you are going at the top speed limit on the freeway while towing and it is causing instability to your load you would be expected to slow down. You can be pulled over if your load is being made unsafe because of your speed.

Alabama Mirror Laws

You must have operation rearview mirrors on both sides of your car. If they are compromised by the width of your load you may want to consider extensions to your existing mirrors. These can come in the form of mirrors that can slip over your existing rear views to improve your view past the load.

Conclusion

Many of the Alabama trailer and towing laws are common sense designed to keep you and other road users safe. The tow vehicle and trailer must both be fit for purpose and it should be treated as if the rules for simple driving of the vehicle apply.

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