West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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.

Does a Trailer Need a Title in West Virginia?

In the state of West Virginia all cars, trucks and recreational vehicles need a title and to be registered if they are to be driven on public roads.

All vehicles registered in West Virginia including trailers need to be inspected regularly for safety purposes. So in addition to the temporary license plate the trailer also requires a safety inspection certificate affixed to it.

West Virginia General Towing Laws

These are general rules in West Virginia 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 drivers should adhere to the general rules of the road. If it is something that would be illegal without a trailer the high likelihood is that you also should not do it with a trailer.

West Virginia 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 65 ft including bumpers.
• The maximum length of the trailer is 40 ft.
• The maximum width for a trailer is 96 inches although some roads will allow 102 inches.
• The maximum height of a trailer and load is 13 ft 6 inches.

West Virginia Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

There are laws in West Virginia 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. It also must not exceed 15 ft in length.
• If towing a motor vehicle using chains, ropes or cables a white flag of at least 12 inches square must be affixed to the connection.

West Virginia 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 West Virginia state law.
• Taillights, brake lights and a license plate light are all required per state law.

West Virginia 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.

West Virginia Trailer Mirror Laws

The rules for mirrors in West Virginia 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 on West Virginia state roads are required to have such mirrors which 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.

West Virginia 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 or semi trailers that have a gross weight of more than 3,000 lbs. must be equipped with brakes that are strong enough to control the vehicle and can be applied by the driver in the tow vehicle. There must also be an emergency brake set up on the trailer which will activate in the event the trailer breaks free from the tow vehicle.

Conclusion

There are a number of laws in West Virginia that pertain to towing and trailers which are designed to keep the roads and road users safe. As a state West Virginia has a lot of common sense rules for towing.

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