Wyoming 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 Wyoming 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.

Wyoming General Towing Laws

These are general rules in Wyoming 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.

Wyoming 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 85 ft including bumpers.
• The maximum length of the trailer is 45 ft.
• The maximum width for a trailer is 102 inches. (not including state-approved safety devices)
• The maximum height of a trailer and load is 14 ft.

Wyoming Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

There are laws in Wyoming 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.

There are few actual laws regarding this section but in general you will be expected to use a solid connection between the tow vehicle and trailer. If the trailer is not tracking true behind the lead vehicle then this could cause you to be pulled over.

Use general common sense and for your own safety and that of others use safety connections when needed.

Wyoming 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 and semi trailers when being towed are required to have at least 2 tail lamps on the rear, 2 or more red reflectors, 2 or more stop lamps and electrical flashing turn lamps. These need only be on the last vehicle in the towing chain but must be operational from the lead vehicle.

Wyoming 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.

Wyoming Trailer Mirror Laws

The rules for mirrors in Wyoming 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.

In Wyoming you need at least 2 rear view mirrors, one must be on the left-hand side of the vehicle while the other can be either on the internal windshield to the right of the driver or on the right-hand side of the vehicle's exterior.

Wyoming 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.

• Any combination of tow vehicle and trailers must have a service braking system that can stop all vehicles within 40 feet from a speed of 20 mph. when on a dry level surface.
• Any combination of tow vehicle and trailers must have a parking brake that will hold all units on any grade under any load conditions in all weathers.

Conclusion

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

In Wyoming you can have longer trailer combinations than most other states up to 85 ft total length. The lighting set up however must be correct and applied to the last trailer in the towing combination. This is vital to ensure road users behind you know your driving intentions regarding turns and potentially sudden braking.

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