Washington 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 Washington 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 All Trailers Need To Be Registered in Washington?

In the state of Washington you are required to register your trailer no matter what size it is. State law also says that your registered trailer must also have a certificate of title.

You will need an official bill of sale, whether the trailer is new or used, in order to register your trailer. This bill of sale must include the seller's signature for it to be considered valid and the bill can be either typed or handwritten.

Washington General Towing Laws

These are general rules in Washington 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.

It is illegal in the state of Washington to live in a trailer in the same place year round. The maximum stay in any one RV park would be 180 days before you would have to relocate.

No vehicle towing a trailer can be driven in the left-hand lane of a limited access roadway which has 3 or more lanes for traffic that moves in just 1 direction except when preparing for a left turn.

Washington 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.

  • It is illegal to ride in a house trailer while it is being towed.
  • The total length of the tow vehicle and trailer is 75 ft including bumpers.
  • The maximum length of the trailer is 53 ft.
  • The maximum width for a trailer is 102 inches.
  • The maximum height of a trailer and load is 14 ft.
  • Rearview mirrors are permitted to extend 5 inches
  • Safety appurtenances and appliances can extend 4 inches.
  • Awnings are permitted to extend 6 inches.

Washington Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

There are laws in Washington 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.

  • Vehicles towing a trailer are required by state law to use safety chains in addition to the primary connection already in use.
  • The drawbar or other connection must be strong enough to hold the weight of the towed vehicle on any grade on which it is being operated.
  • The connection must be set in such a way as to avoid weaving or whipping of the trailer.

Washington 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.

  • Turn signals and reflectors are required by Washington state law.
  • Taillights, brake lights and a license plate light are all required per state law.

Washington 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.

Washington Trailer Mirror Laws

The rules for mirrors in Washington 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.

Mirrors that reflect an unobstructed view of the road behind the vehicle for at least 200 ft are required in the state of Washington, by law.

All motor vehicles on Washington state's roads are required to have such mirrors as will allow a view of 200 ft behind the vehicle. If the trailer and load block this view mirrors and potentially reflectors may be needed to achieve this standard.

Washington 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 trailers and pole trailers must be equipped with service brakes that are strong enough to control movement, stop and hold in place under all conditions of loading
  • Trailers with a weight below 3,000 lbs and do not exceed 40% of the Gross Weight of the towing vehicle when connected do not require brakes acting on the wheels.

Conclusion

There are a number of laws in Washington that pertain to towing and trailers which are designed to keep the roads and road users safe. As a state Washington has a lot of common sense rules for towing and are quite strict when it comes to camping trailers and mobile homes.

In the state you might get in trouble for towing in the faster left lanes of the freeways or having trailers that are not traveling in line with the tow vehicle. You may also fall foul of the rules if you neglect to attach a safety chain as a secondary connection between tow vehicle and trailer.

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