New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey?

If you are purchasing a utility trailer or camper in New Jersey that has a Gross Vehicle Weight that is 3,000 lbs. or less you will require an original bill of sale. If the trailer does not have a listed Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the bill of sale you can instead acquire a VIN Verification Form TDMV 19A from the seller or the seller's permanent NH registration.

In New Jersey all trailers need to be registered but those that weigh more than 2,500 lbs. unloaded also need to have a title. This is true of both manufactured and homemade trailers.

Trailers will not be included in your automobile insurance meaning any damage caused to them or by them is not covered. You therefore should consider getting insurance on your trailer although this is not legally required by state law.

All trailers require a bill of sale which must have the former owner's signature on or it is not legally binding.

New Jersey General Towing Laws

These are general rules in New Jersey 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 maximum number of trailers that can be towed by a passenger vehicle is one.

New Jersey 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 is 53 ft.
• The maximum length of the trailer is 40 ft including.
• The maximum width for a trailer is 102 inches.
• The maximum height of a trailer and load is 13 ft 6”.

New Jersey Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

There are laws in New Jersey 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.

Trailers must be hitched to the tow vehicle with the addition of at least one chain or cable. The connection must be strong enough that if the hitch bar becomes disconnected the trailer would not roll away.

New Jersey 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 trailers and semi trailers must be equipped with:

• Two tail lamps
• Two stop lamps
• Two turn signals
• Two reflectors on the rear - one set per side

New Jersey 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.

New Jersey Trailer Mirror Laws

The rules for mirrors in New Jersey 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.

It is illegal to drive a vehicle which blocks the driver's view of the traffic behind and to the sides unless the vehicle is equipped with a device that will display the road behind and to the side.

New Jersey 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 must have brakes that can be automatically applied in the event that the unit becomes detached from the tow vehicle. These brakes must be enough to stop and hold the trailer for enough time to allow recovery.

• A system must exist whereby the tow vehicle and trailer brakes can be applied at the same time by the driver.
• Trailers and semi trailers over 3,000 lbs. need brakes on all wheels

Conclusion

There are a number of laws in New Jersey that pertain to towing and trailers which are designed to keep the roads and road users safe. The state of New Jersey limits towing to just one trailer at a time and requires safety connections in some instances.

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