Connecticut 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 Connecticut 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 to keep you from costly tickets.

Do Trailers Need License Plates In Connecticut?

Personal trailers such as those used to transport boats, snowmobiles and other recreational vehicles need to be registered as if they were camp trailers. There are a variety of registration types and vanity plates are also available.

In the state of Connecticut all trailers for personal use must be registered under the camp trailer category. It does not matter if it is a brand new trailer or a used one that you have purchased, you will be required to submit a completed bill of sale in order to register it.

Connecticut General Towing Laws

These are general rules in Connecticut 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.

You generally do not require separate insurance for your trailer unless you intend to use it for commercial use or you took out a loan to purchase it.

Connecticut 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 60 feet
• The maximum length for the trailer is 40 ft
• The maximum width for a trailer is 102 inches.
• The maximum height of a trailer and load is 13 ft 6”

Connecticut Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

There are laws in Connecticut 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.

All camp trailers must be attached by a hitch and coupled to the frame of the towing vehicle using a safety connection such as chains, cables or similar device.

Connecticut 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 must have at least two tail lamps mounted on the rear that emits a red light visible from 1000 ft away.
• Each trailer needs to display a minimum of two red rear reflectors
• Each trailer must be equipped with at least two red stop lamps on the rear
• For trailers that are over 80 inches wide they must have the following:
• Two Front Clearance Lamps
• Two Rear Clearance Lamps
• Three Identification Lamps(as close to the vertical centerline as possible)
• Two Side Marker Lamps Each Side at the Front and One at the Back

It is important to note trailers longer than 30 feet require an amber side marker lamp on each side as well as one in the center that runs the length of the trailer

Connecticut Speed Limits

When it comes to speed limits this varies and depends 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 your level of speed is causing your trailer to weave, sway or be unstable you may be pulled over and cautioned to slow down for the safety of yourself and other road users.

Connecticut Trailer Mirror Laws

The rules for mirrors in Connecticut are very specific in that the driver's rearview mirrors must be equipped with mirrors that give a clear view of the highway directly behind their vehicle, on a line parallel to the car or truck. If your mirrors are obscured and do not offer this you may need to make adjustments.

If your view is 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.

Connecticut Brake Laws

Trailers and Semi Trailers that have a gross weight of over $3,000 lbs. must be equipped with adequate brakes that affect all of the wheels.

The braking system must be able to control the trailers movement and keep it stationary when parked

Trailers over 8,000 lbs. need to have brakes that can be activated by both hands and feet.

Conclusion

There are a number of laws in Connecticut that pertain to towing and trailers which are designed to keep the roads and road users safe. As a state they are most stringent when it comes to trailer lighting requiring an array of lamps and reflectors.

Connecticut also has rules for heavier trailers over 8,000 lbs. that require you to be able to activate brakes with your hands and your feet.

Link To or Reference This Page

We spend a lot of time collecting, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site to be as useful to you as possible.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Tow Ratings as the source. We appreciate your support!