North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina?

The state of North Carolina requires titles for most trailers and also may require them to be registered. The following is a list of exceptions to registration rules:

  • Farmers hauling animals, plants, vegetables or equipment
  • Small farm trailers designed for tobacco
  • Tow dollies which are designed to tow other motor vehicles
  • Out of state trailers that are registered in another state (if it is a permanent move you may need to register the trailer in North Carolina eventually)

North Carolina General Towing Laws

These are general rules in North Carolina 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 rules in this category but in the absence of this we must assume that general rules of the road should be adhered to. If it is something that would be illegal without a trailer the high likelihood is that you should not do it with a trailer.

North Carolina 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 66 ft.
  • The maximum length of the trailer is 48 ft.
  • 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”.

North Carolina Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

There are laws in North Carolina 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.

  • If the primary towing attachment is a hitch, then the towed vehicle must also be attached to the towing vehicle by means of safety chains or cables. These must be strong enough to hold the gross weight of the towed vehicle in the event that the hitch fails or becomes disconnected.
  • Safety chains are always required on all trailers with the exception of those using a fifth-wheel connection which has a locking mechanism.
  • Any trailer, semi trailer, or other towed vehicle being operated must be firmly attached to the rear of the towing unit.

North Carolina 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.

  • Trailers weighing 4,000 lbs. or less and do not obscure the tow vehicles lights don't require turn signals.
  • Trailers that weigh less than 4,000 lbs. are not required to have a rear tail light if the trailer has two red rear reflectors with a diameter of 3 inches or more.
  • All trailers or semi trailers with a gross weight of 4,000 lbs. or more must have the following:
  • 2 Clearance lamps on the front 1 on each side
  • 2 Marker lamps and reflectors on the front and rear of trailer
  • 2 Clearance lights, 2 reflectors and 1 stop light on the rear
  • Pole trailers that weigh over 4,000 lbs. need 1 clearance lamp, and one marker light on each side that can be seen from all directions

North Carolina 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.

North Carolina Trailer Mirror Laws

The rules for mirrors in North Carolina 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.

If your car window has an obstructed view of the back, you must place a mirror so that it can show the highway behind your vehicle. This mirror should also be visible to people in the backseat of the tow vehicle.

North Carolina 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.

According to North Carolina state law, any semi trailer, trailer, or separate vehicle attached via a drawbar or coupling to a towing vehicle that weighs at least 4,000 lbs. and every house trailer weighing at least 1,000 lbs. must have brakes that can be controlled by the driver of the towing vehicle.

Conclusion

There are a number of laws in North Carolina that pertain to towing and trailers which are designed to keep the roads and road users safe. It is important to take note of the rules that the state lays out as they do so in the interests of safety first and foremost.

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