Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska?

The only trailers in Nebraska that are exempt from the need of a title in Nebraska are those owned by non-resident military members as long as it is titled in another state.

Since January of 2021 it became a requirement that owners of utility or farm trailers in the state must include the vehicle identification number (VIN) when they register their trailer for the first time or upon renewal.

This was done so that law enforcement could easily identify vehicles that are being towed and to offer a way to prove ownership if the trailer is stolen.

Nebraska General Towing Laws

These are general rules in Nebraska 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.

There are no specific laws in Nebraska regarding general towing however when this is the case then the basic rules of the road will apply. If it’s illegal in a car without a trailer in tow on the highway it likely would not be acceptable when towing.

Nebraska 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 ft.
• The maximum length of the trailer is 40 ft including bumpers.
• The maximum width for a trailer is 102 inches.
• The maximum height of a trailer and load is 14 6” ft.

Nebraska Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

There are laws in Nebraska 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.

• Nebraska law states that the draw-bar or other connection between any 2 vehicles on a highway, shall not exceed 15 ft . On this connecting device, halfway between the towing vehicle and towed vehicle, there needs to be a red flag or signal of at least 12 inches square.
• If the load on any vehicle hangs over the back of the bed or body by more than 4 ft, then a red flag that is at least 12 inches square must be displayed at the end of the load.
• A red light must be visible from a distance of at least 200 feet away whenever the load on any vehicle extends more than 4 feet beyond the rear of the bed or body. This applies only to operation between sunset and sunrise.

Nebraska 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.

Nebraska does not specify rules regarding trailer lighting so in this case the assumption must be that the guidelines you need to refer to are state requirements for motor vehicles on public roads. If specific lighting is required by law for vehicles that are not towing these rules at the very least must apply to the back of a trailer if it obscures the usual lights on the tow vehicle.

Nebraska 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.
• It should be noted that when towing a mobile home there is a top speed limit of 50 mph.

Nebraska Trailer Mirror Laws

The rules for mirrors in Nebraska 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.

In Nebraska a driver should not operate a motor vehicle on the highway if the said vehicle is constructed or loaded in such a way that it blocks the driver's view of the road behind them. If this is the case then the car must be equipped with both a right and left outside mirror placed so that it reflects a view of 200 feet behind.

Nebraska 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 commercial trailers weighing more than 10,000 lbs. must have brakes on each wheel that can be operated by the driver of the towing vehicle.
• All recreational trailers weighing over 3,000 lbs. but less than 6,500 lbs. must have brakes on at least 2 wheels.
• If the gross loaded weight is 6,500 lbs. or more then the trailer must have brakes on each wheel. The driver should also be able to operate the brakes from their driving position in the towing vehicle. A breakaway, surge, or impulse switch is required on the trailer so that if it becomes disengaged from the towing vehicle, the trailer brakes will automatically activate.

Conclusion

There are a number of laws in Nebraska that pertain to towing and trailers which are designed to keep the roads and road users safe. The state of Nebraska does not have too many rules regarding towing specifically although it does favor safety of brakes and mirrors.

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