New York 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 York 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 York?

In the state of New York trailers over 1,000 lbs. when empty or with a gross vehicle weight of over 3,000 lbs. must be titled. If your trailer does not match these specifications then you will instead be required to register it with the state.

Trailers for use on the state's roads also must pass an annual safety inspection before being registered for the next year.

New York General Towing Laws

These are general rules in New York 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.

• Open trucks or trailers that are transporting loose materials must be covered with a tarpaulin, or other devices to prevent material from falling out. If the load is arranged so that no loose material can fall from or blow out of the truck or trailer, then a covering is not necessary.
• No vehicle shall be towed using a dolly, unless said dolly is secured to the towing vehicle by the use of safety chains or cables. These will prevent the dolly from separating from the towing vehicle.

New York 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 65 ft including bumpers.
• The maximum length of the trailer is 48 ft including bumpers.
• The maximum width for a trailer is 96 inches but some roads allow 102 inches.
• The maximum height of a trailer and load is 13 ft 6”.

New York Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

There are laws in New York 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.

• Any devices used for towing in New York State must first be approved by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and must include safety chains.
• Ball hitches mounted on bumpers are permitted.

New York 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.

The following lights are required on trailers in New York State:

• Taillights
• Brake Lights
• License Plate Lights
• Turn Signals
• If towing more than one trailer at the time the rear signal light must be affixed to the back of the rear most trailer.

New York 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 York Trailer Mirror Laws

The rules for mirrors in New York 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 motor vehicles, when driven or operated upon a public highway, should be equipped with a mirror or other reflecting device that is adjusted in such a way that the operator of said vehicle shall have a clear and full view of the road and condition of traffic behind the vehicle.

Every motor vehicle when driven or operated on a public highway, with a model year after 1968, should be equipped with a side mirror which will be affixed to the left outside of the vehicle and which should be adjustable.

New York 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.

Every trailer and semi trailer that weighs more than 1,000 lbs. when unladen, or every trailer and semi trailer manufactured after January 1^st 1971 that has a registered maximum gross weight or actual gross weight of more than 3,000 lbs. must be equipped with adequate brakes to stop and hold the unit.

Conclusion

There are a number of laws in New York that pertain to towing and trailers which are designed to keep the roads and road users safe. The state of New York does not have extensive rules regarding towing but what they do have is very common sense.

Rules regarding brakes, mirrors and general towing practices are very logical and should be easy to adhere to.

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