Mississippi trailer laws and regulations
Mississippi trailer rules covering brake thresholds, the 5,000 lb title cutoff, length and width limits, hitch length rules and safety chains.
In Mississippi, the title cutoff is 5,000 lb empty weight. Brakes are required on all wheels for trailers at or over 3,000 lb GVW, with a narrow exception for light two-axle utility trailers behind a passenger car. The combined length cap is shorter than most neighbouring states at 53 ft.
If you’re towing on a chain, cable or rope, you need a visible white flag at least 12 inches square on the connection. Safety chains are required on any trailer towed faster than 20 mph.
Quick reference
| Item | Mississippi rule |
|---|---|
| Title | Trailers over 5,000 lb empty |
| Registration | All trailers; 30 business days from purchase |
| Brakes (all wheels) | Trailers 3,000 lb GVW or more |
| Light trailer exception | 2-axle utility under 2,000 lb behind a car |
| Max combo length | 53 ft |
| Max trailer length | 40 ft including bumpers |
| Max width | 102 in |
| Max height | 13 ft 6 in |
| Max hitch length | 15 ft (longer for poles or pipes) |
| Safety chain trigger | Trailers towed over 20 mph |
Registration and titles
All trailers used on Mississippi roads have to be registered with the state. The Mississippi Department of Revenue gives you a 30-business-day window from purchase to register.
Title is mandatory at 5,000 lb empty weight. Below that, registration alone is the rule. License plates for flatbed, tilt or drop trailers no more than 9 ft wide, 24 ft long and under 5,000 lb come on motorcycle-sized tags.
General towing rules
Saddle-mount setups can carry up to three vehicles, as long as the total length of the rig stays under 75 ft. Tow-bar setups are limited to one vehicle being towed.
Dimensions
The trailer itself is capped at 40 ft including bumpers. Tow vehicle plus trailer together can’t exceed 53 ft. Width is 102 inches, height is 13 ft 6 in.
Hitches, chains and flags
Drawbars or other connections between the tow vehicle and trailer have to be strong enough for the load and can’t exceed 15 ft. There’s an exception when two vehicles are transporting long objects like poles, pipes, machinery or anything easily assembled.
Any trailer towed faster than 20 mph needs a safety chain, cable or equivalent in addition to the regular hitch. If you’re towing on a chain, cable or rope, you also need a white flag at least 12 inches square mounted visibly on the connection.
Lighting rules
Mississippi doesn’t spell out trailer lighting in a separate statute, so the state’s general motor vehicle lighting rules apply at the back of the trailer. In practice that means two red tail lamps, two stop lamps, turn signals, a white licence plate light and rear reflectors. If the trailer obscures lighting on the tow vehicle, the trailer has to carry the equivalent.
Speed limits while towing
No separate towing speed. The posted limit applies. As elsewhere, sway or fishtailing at the limit can still get you cited.
Mirror rules
Mississippi’s general rule: if the load blocks your interior rear-view mirror, you need a mirror that gives you a view of at least 200 ft behind the last towed vehicle. Slip-on extender mirrors or factory tow mirrors handle the typical wide-trailer setup.
Brake rules
Trailers over 2,000 lb need brakes that can keep the trailer from gaining excessive speed and that bring it to a stop. The driver has to be able to operate the trailer brakes from the cab. If the trailer breaks away, the brakes need to apply automatically and stop the trailer’s own momentum.
For new trailers sold in the state, service brakes on all wheels are required, with one exception: a two-axle trailer under 2,000 lb GVW behind a passenger automobile.