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About TrailersPlusHitches.com
This BLOG contains the information necessary to be
properly informed about Trailer Vehicles of different
types, such as recreational vehicles (RVs),
noncommercial recreational trailers, fifth-wheel
trailers including livestock trailers, and motorcycle
trailers and others.
TrailersPlusHitches.com will concentrate on the
information required to drive these type vehicles safely
and requirements for Inspection, Regulations,
Registration and rules governed by the DMV.
NOTE:
Each State DMV should be contacted for specifics
pertaining to their particular state requirements; this
information is a overview of the specified contingencies
only exacting to Trailer Vehicles.
People are realizing that a recreational vehicle is a
mobile living experience.
Types of trailer vehicles that fall under this type are
motor homes, campers; and, even van conversions can
offer a living style for traveling.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in each state is
concerned with the safe operation of RVs, recreational
trailers, and all other trailers.
Most drivers have experience in driving passenger
vehicles; yet, an RV or trailer handles very
differently.
Some of the most noticeable driving differences of
trailers versus cars are restricted vision and added
braking times.
Additional differences include bridge heights, buildings
with low canopies, space requirement needs, increased
following distances, increased turning radiuses, and
more space needed for lane changes.
You learn more and obtain an education from your
state for the following:
1. Basic driver rules and regulations for safe driving
in all situations. (Check the State you live in for
specific rules).
2. Rules and regulations for Class A and Class B
commercial vehicles and trailers, multiple trailers,
passenger transport vehicles, and commercial Class C
vehicles.
3. Rules and regulations for Class M1 and M2 motorcycle
operators.
4. Registration information for recreational vehicles
and trailers.
5. Various brochures entitled "Fast Facts" or "How To"
which provide driver license and registration
information for vehicles and trailers.
Study Materials from your State;
1. Owner's manual for your towing vehicle
2. Owner's manual for your RV or your trailer
Department of Motor Vehicles
Below is an overview of Inspection
of Trailers, such as Camp, Commercial, Boat and Utility,
etc.
The following explanation for inspection of trailers has
been prepared by the Department of Motor Vehicles to
help clarify questions concerning such inspections.
Requirements may apply to trailers as of
the date 1967 and newer.
Please Note the abbreviations
used:
FMCSR = Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Regulations (49CFR 393),
GVWR = Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating
GW = Gross Weight.
NOTE: You must have all supporting documents showing
proof of ownership or as otherwise indicated for
homemade trailers to have your trailer vehicle
inspected.
The following conditions and or guidelines exist
for Inspection of your Trailer Vehicle:
Body -
Torn fenders that have sharp edges are
prohibited.
Also, prohibited are dangerous
projections from any surface of the vehicle or any doors
on campers that do not properly latch.
Doors must be adequately attached to
frame.
Floors of campers must be capable of
supporting standing weight and other types must be
capable of supporting the intended load.
Guides, rollers and pivots on boat
trailers must be properly secured.
Ramps on flat beds that do not flip
completely back onto the bed must have a means of being
secured.
Brake Equipment –
Any trailer with a GVWR of 3000 lbs. or
more will be assumed as intended to carry such weight
and therefore shall be equipped with a braking system
operating on all wheels.
The braking system shall be adequate to
safely control movement of the trailer and, when set, to
safely hold the trailer stationary.
Electric or air brakes are required on
all trailers over 8,000 lbs.
GW and on any commercial trailer
required to have brakes under FMCSR applicable when the
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) with the towing
vehicle is 10,000 lbs. or more in interstate use and
18,001 lbs. or more in intrastate use.
These braking systems must be operable
at the driver’s seat of the towing vehicle by either
hand or foot.
Surge brakes are allowed as the trailer
brakes on non-commercial trailers having a GW of 8,000
lbs. or less.
Surge brakes may be allowed on
commercial trailers having a GW of 8,000 lbs. or less
only if not subject to the interstate and intrastate
limits noted above.
Any trailer with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs.
or more and commercial trailers subject to the
interstate and intrastate limits noted above will also
require an emergency break-away device to set the
trailer brakes upon separation from the towing vehicle.
Display of Number Plate -
Every trailer shall display a number
plate in the horizontal position which is fastened so as
not to swing and shall be illuminated with a white light
that does not show directly to the rear.
The plate must be installed in a
location so that it remains fully visible when the
trailer is carrying its normal load.
Fenders –
Fenders are required on all trailers
where the rear body portion does not afford adequate
protection to effectively minimize the spray or splash
of water or dirt.
All fenders must cover entire tread
width of each tire.
The determinant of the effectiveness of
the body to act as a fender and/or mud flap is whether
the height of the rearmost portion is one-third of or
less than the distance from the center of the rearmost
axle.
This section shall not apply to vehicles
registered as farm vehicles.
Frame -
The frame shall be capable of supporting
intended load without excessive flexing.
Fish plates or other suitable
reinforcement will be required at points of stress.
All welding shall be of industry
standard quality and type.
Frame shall be approximately parallel
with the ground.
Hitch -
Every trailer hitch or coupling used as
a means of attaching a trailer to the towing vehicle
shall be properly and securely mounted and structurally
adequate for the weight drawn.
Markings on balls and commercially
available hitches will be used to determine compliance
with this requirement.
If no manufacturer's weight markings are
present on the ball or hitch, the following SAE ratings
will be used to establish the maximum weight in lbs.:
1 and 7/8-inch Ball – 2,000 lbs.
2-inch Ball with 3/4-inch bolt – 3,500 lbs.
2-inch Ball with 1-inch bolt – 5,000 lbs.
2-inch Ball with 1-3/8-inch bolt – 10,000 lbs.
2 and 5/16-inch Ball with 1-inch bolt – 5,000 lbs.
2 and 5/16-inch Ball with 1-1/4-inch bolt – 7,500 lbs.
Class 1 Hitch – 2,000 lbs. Class 2 Hitch – 3,500 lbs.
Class 3 Hitch – 5,000 lbs. Class 4 Hitch – 10,000 lbs.
*Note: Manufacturers can rate hitches higher than as
indicated.
Lighting Devices -
(For trailers less than 30 inches
wide see *note below)
Identification Lamps -
Trailers eighty inches (80") or more in
overall width shall be equipped on the rear with three
(3) red identification lamps mounted in the center.
The centers of each of the three lights
must be spaced not less than 6" nor more than 12" from
each other.
Reflectors -
All must be mounted at a height between
15" and 60".
If no permanent structure exists to
allow installation at the indicated height, the height
shall be as close as feasible to the indicated heights.
Trailers Less than 80 Inches Wide
Homemade Trailers -
Shall display 2 red reflectors at the
rear mounted as far apart as practicable.
Manufactured Trailers
Built After January 1, 1968 – Shall
display 2 red reflectors at the rear as indicated for
homemade trailers.
Shall also display 2 red side reflectors
at or near the rear and, if over 61" long, 2 amber side
reflectors at or near the front.
Trailers 80 Inches or More in
Overall Width -
All shall display the same reflectors
indicated for manufactured trailers built after January
1, 1968.
In addition, trailers over 10,000 lbs.
GVWR require red and white reflective tape on the sides
and rear, excepting house and office trailers.
Trailers 30 Feet or More in
Overall Length –
One amber reflector centrally located,
on each side, with respect to length.
Side Marker and Clearance Lamps –
Requirements listed below:
Trailers Less Than 80 Inches Wide:
Manufactured Trailers Built After
January 1, 1968 –
Shall display 2 red side marker lamps at
or near the rear and, if over 61" long, 2 amber side
marker lamps at or near the front.
Trailers 80 Inches or More in
Overall Width -
Shall display the same lamps as side
marker and clearance lamps indicated for manufactured
trailers built after January 1, 1968.
Trailers 30 Feet or More in
Overall Length -
One amber side marker lamp centrally
located, on each side, with respect to length.
Stop Lamps -
Two or more red stop lamps mounted at a
height between 15" and 72" are required.
Turn Signals -
Every trailer shall be required to have
operating red or amber turn signal lamps at the rear
mounted at a height between 15" and 83".
*Note:
Special Requirements for Trailers
Less Than 30 Inches Wide-
Any trailer less than 30" in overall
width is exempt from the above listed lighting devices
and need be equipped only with one each of the following
red lighting devices located at or near the center: tail
lamp, stop lamp, and reflector.
A white marker light is also required.
Mirrors -
Two outside mirrors are required on the
towing vehicle to show the roadway to the side and rear
of the towing vehicle/trailer combination.
Mirrors shall be properly mounted and
securely fastened to prevent excessive vibration.
Safety Chain -
Every tag-along or drawbar type trailer
hitch or coupler used as a means of attaching a camp
trailer to the tow vehicle shall also be coupled to the
frame of the towing vehicle by means of safety chains or
cables of sufficient strength and installed in such a
manner to control the trailer in the event of failure of
the regular trailer hitch or coupling.
This means that the chains should be
capable of being attached in a manner to keep the
trailer coupler from dragging on the road in case of
disconnect.
Two safety chains or cables will be
required unless the trailer tongue is specifically
designed to be symmetrically supported by a single chain
or cable.
Fifth wheel trailers with
any ball mount will require a safety chain or cable
while fifth wheel plate and kingpin styles will be
required to have a safety on or locking of the operating
handle.
Suspension -
Trailers (excluding tow dollies)
over 1000 lbs.
GVWR should have a suspension rather
than attaching the axle directly to the frame.
Lowest section of the sprung weight must
not be less than 4" off the ground. Axles must be
appropriately sized for the weight to be carried.
Tires -
Tires must have two-thirty-seconds inch
(2/32") center tread and no cuts, bulges, exposed cord,
or deteriorating sidewall otherwise known as "dry rot".
Tire weight ratings must be adequate for
the axle ratings.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) -
All trailers will be checked for a VIN
which must be physically verified against supporting
paperwork.
Any trailer that does not have a VIN
will need a VIN assigned in accordance with the DMV
Policy for Reassigning Trailer VINs (see Reassignment of
Missing Trailer VIN for more information).
Wiring -
All electrical wiring must be properly
insulated, secured, and supported.
Maximum distance between wiring supports
is 18 inches.
Wires chaffing on moving parts such as
the suspension will be cause for rejection.
Connections between towing vehicle and
trailer must be made through a quick disconnect plug or
connector.
For registration information, please see Requirements
for the Registration of a Camp Trailer or Trailer
Vehicles in your own State.
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