Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana?

Louisiana law dictates that anyone who owns a car, trailer or semi trailer in the state must have that vehicle registered before it is driven on public roads. With regards to trailers it is dependent on the type of trailer as to which class of license plate you will get.

  • A light trailer, this would be one that would only weigh at most 500 lbs. total fully loaded.
  • A semi trailer would be one that does not have its own motive power but is designed to carry property or passengers. It can only be used in conjunction with a motor vehicle. This also means that part of the weight of the trailer is carried by the tow vehicle.
  • A trailer would also be described as a vehicle without its own motive power which is designed to carry property and passengers. It will have two or more load carrying axles and the weight of the trailer isn’t carried by the wheels of the motor vehicle
  • A boat trailer is considered a non commercial vehicle specifically designed for hauling pleasure watercraft. It can be either a trailer or semi trailer and generally weighs less than 1,500 lbs. when loaded
  • Farm trailers can be trailer or semi trailer and refer to a type of vehicle that is owned by farmers with the intent of performing farm hauling tasks
  • Mobile homes are considered trailers and while stationary function as dwellings or living spaces. They are designed to be able to travel safely on highways.
  • Travel trailers also known as camper trailers are designed for temporary habitation with limited amenities. They can usually be hitched to a car or truck to be transported between campsites.

Louisiana General Towing Laws

These are general rules in Louisiana 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.

  • The connection between two vehicles must be at least strong enough to tow the other vehicle with its full load. The connection between the two can not exceed 15 ft.
  • If towing a vehicle using a rope, chain or cable setup you must affix a square red flag of at least 12 inches square to the connection. This is during daylight however is towing after dark you instead need a red light that is visible for at least 500 ft which can attach to the connection between tow vehicle and trailer.
  • The maximum number of trailers that can be pulled by a passenger vehicle is 2 and people can not ride in the trailer when it is being towed on public roads.

Louisiana 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 70 ft.
  • The maximum length of the trailer is 40 ft.
  • The maximum width for a trailer is 96 inches.
  • The maximum height of a trailer and load is 13ft 6”

Louisiana Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

There are laws in Louisiana 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 possible hitches are accepted in the state as long as they are equal to the task they are being used for.
  • If your trailer weighs less than 6,000 lbs. it must be fitted with a safety chain.
  • Tow bars are not required in the state but neither are they illegal so this would be a judgment call.

Louisiana 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.

If you have a trailer or semi trailer over 80 inches wide you need the following:

  • 2 Front clearance lamps
  • 2 Rear clearance lamps
  • 1 Side marker lamp on each side
  • 1 Reflector on the front and 1 on the back of the trailer
  • All trailers or semi trailers in excess of 30 ft must have an amber side marker lamp and reflector at the center of each side
  • All trailers must have a red light mounted on the back which can be seen from at least 1,000 feet away.

Louisiana 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.

  • The following speed limits do apply:
  • Trailers under 15 ft with no brakes : 45 mph
  • Trailers 15 – 32 ft with brakes 50 mph during the day 55 mph at night

Louisiana Trailer Mirror Laws

The rules for mirrors in Louisiana 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. These can be in the form of mirror extenders that slot onto already existing wing mirrors.

All trailers and semi trailers made after Dec 31st 1972 must be equipped with a mirror on the left side of the vehicle. This should reflect the drivers view of the highway for at least 200 ft to the rear.

Louisiana 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.

  • Trailers and semi trailers that weigh more than 3,000 lbs. must be equipped with adequate brakes to control the movement of the vehicle, stop it and hold it in place once stopped. These brakes must also be controllable from inside the cab of the tow vehicle.
  • Trailers and semi trailers made after 1962 must have brakes on all wheels
  • Trailers and semi trailers rated between 3,001 – 5,000 lbs only need brakes on one axle.

Conclusion

There are a number of laws in Louisiana that pertain to towing and trailers which are designed to keep the roads and road users safe. The state of Louisiana requires plenty of lights when towing and also has strict rules on brakes as well.

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