California trailer laws for towing in 2026
55 mph tow speed cap (CVC 22406), brake thresholds at 1,500 lb, registration rules, size limits, and the breakaway requirements under California Vehicle Code.
California caps you at 55 mph any time you’re towing a trailer. Brakes required on any trailer over 1,500 lb. Breakaway switch required on trailers over 1,500 lb built after 1955. Max combination length 65 ft, max width 102 in, max height 14 ft. Statute references are in the California Vehicle Code (CVC).
| Rule | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Tow speed limit | 55 mph (CVC 22406) |
| Brakes required | 1,500 lb gross or more, two-wheel brakes (CVC 26302) |
| Breakaway switch | Required on trailers over 1,500 lb built after 12/31/1955 |
| Trailers with air brakes (post-1982) | All-wheel brakes required |
| Max combination length | 65 ft |
| Max trailer length | 40 ft including bumpers |
| Max width | 102 in (8 ft 6 in) |
| Max height | 14 ft |
| Trailer tongue length | 6 ft max from axle to end of tongue |
| Safety chains | Required for travel trailers, not for fifth wheels |
Speed limit while towing (CVC 22406)
The 55 mph cap is the most distinctive part of California trailer law. It applies on every road, regardless of posted speed limit. A 70 mph interstate is still 55 mph if you’re towing.
Base fine for a violation is around $238 plus court fees, which can push the total over $500. Citations are common in the right-lane sweeps on I-5 and I-10.
The 55 mph limit also applies to vehicles towing other vehicles, commercial trucks over 9,000 lb, and any combination over 6,000 lb gross.
Registration
California requires trailer registration with current tags affixed to the trailer. Out-of-state trailers passing through are honored, but trailers permanently kept in California must register with the DMV.
The driver must be licensed and carrying their license, which sounds obvious but the citation is real.
Brakes (CVC 26302)
California’s threshold for brakes is the strictest in the country at 1,500 lb gross. Most states cut in at 3,000 lb.
The rules layer based on the trailer’s age:
- Made after 1940, over 6,000 lb gross: brakes required
- Made after 1966, over 3,000 lb gross: two-wheel brakes required
- Made after 1982 with air brakes: all-wheel brakes required
- Travel trailers / camp trailers over 1,500 lb gross: brakes on at least 2 wheels
Breakaway switches are required on any trailer over 1,500 lb that was built after December 31, 1955. The switch automatically applies the trailer’s brakes if the trailer separates from the tow vehicle.
Size limits
- Combination length: 65 ft tow vehicle plus trailer
- Trailer length: 40 ft including bumpers
- Width: 102 in (8 ft 6 in) max. Devices and mirrors can’t protrude more than 10 in per side. Door handles and hinges can protrude 3 in
- Height: 14 ft including load. California allows 14 ft, unlike most states’ 13 ft 6 in
Hitch and connection
- Trailer tongue length: maximum 6 ft from the trailer axle to the end of the tongue
- All fifth-wheel mechanisms and adapters must have a manual-release locking device
- Safety chains required for travel trailers
- Safety chains NOT required for fifth wheels (the kingpin/fifth-wheel coupler does the same job)
Lighting
- Trailers over 80 in wide built after 1969 need lamp-type turn signals
- Trailers over 80 in wide need at least one amber clearance light on each side and one red clearance light on each side
- Plus two amber and two red side-marker lights
- Three rear identification lights (red, top center)
- Three emergency reflectors carried in the vehicle
If a setup uses multiple vehicles in combination, the rear unit must have lamp-type turn signals.
Passengers
- Passengers cannot ride in a trailer coach (travel trailer) while it’s moving
- Passengers CAN ride in a fifth-wheel trailer coach while it’s moving (this is unusual, California is one of the few states allowing it)
- A camper with people inside must have an unblocked door that can be opened from both inside and outside
Mirrors
Drivers must have rearview mirrors providing at least 200 ft of visibility behind. Extension mirrors or clip-ons are required if the trailer blocks the factory mirrors.
A note for Ford owners in 2026
Ford recall 26C10 (NHTSA 26V104000) covers 2021 to 2026 F-150, 2022 to 2026 Super Duty, 2024 to 2026 Ranger, 2022 to 2026 Expedition, 2022 to 2026 Maverick, 2022 to 2026 Lincoln Navigator, and 2026 Transit. The Integrated Trailer Module software fault disables trailer stop lamps, turn signals, and electric trailer brakes at startup.
California’s strict brake requirements (1,500 lb threshold, mandatory breakaway switch on most trailers) mean a non-working trailer brake system is a more serious violation here than in most states. Confirm OTA completion in FordPass before towing. The fix started rolling out in May 2026.
Common compliance gotchas
- Coming from out of state and unaware of 55 mph cap: most common citation against tourists
- Boat trailer brakes: California’s 1,500 lb threshold catches plenty of boat trailers other states would exempt
- Tongue length: the 6 ft limit catches some custom-built trailers and toy-hauler tongue extensions
- Width: 102 in is the legal width but 96 in trailers are easier in many California parking situations