Indiana 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 Indiana 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 to be Registered In Indiana?

In Indiana if you own a trailer weighing less than 3,000 lbs. you can apply to the bureau of motor vehicles for a permanent registration plate. The fee to this is conservatively priced at just $82.

If you own a utility trailer in Indiana you should have a title for it although there are exceptions. If your trailer is very small or is never used on the public roads then you may not require a title. Farm trailers sometimes do not require a title unless they will be making use of public roadways.

Indiana General Towing Laws

These are general rules in Indiana 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.

• In Indiana no more than two vehicles can be tied together and the maximum length for three or more vehicles together including a load is 65 feet.
• The maximum load size in length is 3 feet beyond the front and 4 feet beyond the rear.

Indiana 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.

• You can not ride in or live in a trailer while it is being towed along public roads in the state.
• The total length of tow vehicle and trailer can not exceed 65 feet.
• The maximum length for the trailer is 40 ft.
• The maximum width for a trailer is 102 inches. Loads wider than this would require a wide-load permit.
• The maximum height of a trailer and load is 13 6” ft.

Indiana Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

There are laws in Indiana 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.

For all trailers a double safety chain is required by law. Hitch type is however not specified so anything suitable for the load should be sufficient.

Indiana 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 vehicles including trailers that are pulled behind another vehicle must have at least 1 rear-mounted red tail light that is visible from 500 feet away.
• Vehicles being towed require 2 white tail lights mounted between 20 and 72 inches above the road surface.
• A license plate illumination lamp which emits white light is also required when towing. Your license plate needs to be visible from 50 feet away after dark.
• All lights must be wired correctly so they correspond with the actions of the tow vehicle.

Indiana 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 trailer is being caused to sway or lose control due to speed you may be pulled over even if you are within the posted limits. This is because the trailer may be posing a threat to public safety and you will be asked to slow down.

Indiana Trailer Mirror Laws

The rules for mirrors in Indiana are not specified although they are likely required and you may be pulled over if you do not have any or they are unusable. If your view is compromised by the width of your load you may want to consider extensions to your existing mirrors.

In Indiana if a vehicle obstructs the drivers rear view vision then mirrors must be located to reflect the highway behind for at least 200 ft. This may require the addition of a product such as mirror extenders which slot easily over existing wing mirrors

Indiana Brake Laws

The brakes on your tow vehicle and potentially on your trailer are important to the safety of any towing operation. Ensure that they meet state guidelines and adhere to the stated rules for use on the road with a trailer.

• All trailers or semi trailers that weigh more than 3,000 lbs. require brakes that can stop and hold the vehicle in tow as well as control its movement.
• The brakes must also perform in such a way as to allow the driver of the tow vehicle to engage the trailer brakes at the same time as those in the main vehicle.

Conclusion

There are a number of laws in Indiana that pertain to towing and trailers which are designed to keep the roads and road users safe. Indiana is one of the states that will allow you to tow more than one trailer or vehicle behind your tow vehicle.

The rules are not extensive in Indiana but all tend to be common sense and designed to protect the people towing and other highway users. Safety chains are required in all tow setups but you can choose which hitch you want to use based on your needs.

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