Michigan trailer laws and regulations
Michigan trailer rules from the Secretary of State: title and registration weights, brake thresholds, hitch limits and lighting basics.
In Michigan, every trailer used on a public road needs to be registered with the Secretary of State, regardless of weight. Title requirements kick in at 2,500 lb unloaded. Brakes kick in at 3,000 lb gross weight, and at 15,001 lb the trailer needs brakes on all wheels operable from the cab.
Trailer plates in Michigan are permanent (no annual renewal) but non-transferable to a different trailer. The fee is paid once, based on weight.
Quick reference
| Item | Michigan rule |
|---|---|
| Registration | All trailers on public roads |
| Title | Trailers over 2,500 lb unloaded |
| Brakes required | Trailers over 3,000 lb GVW |
| Brakes on all wheels | Trailers 15,001 lb GVW or more |
| Max trailer length | 45 ft |
| Max combo length | 65 ft |
| Max width | 102 in |
| Max height | 13 ft 6 in |
| Max hitch length | 15 ft |
Registration and titles
Michigan uses a permanent, non-expiring trailer plate. You pay once based on the trailer’s empty weight, and the plate stays with that specific trailer (you can’t move it to another). Pop-up campers, travel trailers and fifth-wheel campers need both registration and a title regardless of weight.
For other trailers, the title cutoff is 2,500 lb unloaded. Anything heavier needs a title from the Secretary of State. If you buy a trailer in Michigan, the title application is due within 15 days.
General towing rules
Nobody can ride in a trailer being towed on a highway. That covers it, more or less. Beyond the one rider rule, Michigan leans on the general traffic code for the rest.
Dimensions
The trailer body maxes out at 45 ft. Tow vehicle plus trailer together can’t exceed 65 ft. Width is 102 inches and height is 13 ft 6 in.
Hitches, chains and flags
Hitches between the tow vehicle and trailer can’t exceed 15 ft. The coupling also can’t allow either vehicle to deviate by more than 3 inches lateral play.
If you’re towing on a rope or cable (rare outside emergency recovery), you have to mount a red flag at least 12 inches square on the connection during daylight, or a red light at night.
Lighting rules
Standard equipment list:
- One rear lamp visible from at least 500 ft, emitting red.
- A white license plate light visible from 50 ft after dark.
- Two clearance lamps on the front, one each side.
- Two side marker lamps each side (one near the front, one near the rear).
- Two reflectors each side (one near the front, one near the rear).
- Two rear clearance lamps and two rear reflectors, one each side, with a stop light between them.
Speed limits while towing
Michigan doesn’t publish a different towing speed. The posted limit applies. If a trailer is fishtailing or running unsafely at speed, you’ll be cited regardless of whether you were under the limit.
Mirror rules
Michigan doesn’t specify mirror dimensions for towing, but the general code says the driver must have a view of the highway to the rear, either by looking back from the driver’s seat or via a mirror. If the trailer or load blocks the interior view, you need outside mirrors that give you a real view to the rear.
Brake rules
A trailer over 3,000 lb GVW needs an independent braking system that the driver can control from the tow vehicle. At 15,001 lb GVW or more, those brakes have to operate on all wheels and be activated from the cab. Most electric brake controllers (Tekonsha P3, Redarc Tow-Pro) cover the controllability requirement.
A note on Ford trailer wiring in 2026
If you tow with a 2021 to 2026 Ford F-150, 2022 to 2026 Super Duty, 2022 to 2026 Maverick or Expedition, or a 2024 to 2026 Ranger, recall 26C10 (NHTSA 26V104000) covers an Integrated Trailer Module software fault that can affect trailer lights and brake signalling. Ford pushed the OTA fix in March 2026, but if your truck wasn’t OTA-enrolled, you may still be waiting on a dealer reflash.