Long distance towing question..

rockdoc · #1 04-28-2006, 10:58 AM

That's been my impression; that the laws in the state the trailer is licensed in dictates the requirements for brakes. I asked this same question a few weeks ago when I was calling around shopping for a trailer for the 20' and 19' SeaCrafts, and I forget exactly which big trailer dealer told me this.

Now, if I were trailering a 23' SeaCraft, I'd want brakes.

rockdoc

Tarpun · #2 04-28-2006, 11:59 AM

FL requires trailers over 3000#'s to have brakes. That being said I would guess that only about 1/2 of the trailers in the 3-6k weight range that I see have no brakes. Myself included. Have never been stopped and cannot recall anyone I know being stopped. I will in the future put brakes on the trailer for added safety and legal protection. My 1 ton E-350 stops well with my 20 hooked up.

Jon G · #3 04-29-2006, 09:18 PM

This gets worse the more I look in to it. I posted the same thing over at diesel stop in the trailer/hauling section and they came to the same conclusion that they rearly ever see brakes on boat trailers(because they dont last) but they were split on wether you had to obey the laws of the state you were passing through or all you need to do was meet the rules of the state you were licenced in, then you were ok. They had a good link to a boat us link here it is http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/laws.asp seems if I was leagal in Mass and my plate was good then I'm good to go, If I reregistered in a differant state then I would need to meet there standards. Heres on to think about , Mass has NO emmisions testing on diesels under 10000lb. GVW, If RI tests all of them do I go and get a RI emmisions test if I drive through the state?? No because I'm regeistered in Mass and meet there rules. I'm hoping that this applies to the trailer rules otherwise its a nightmare to meet any or all of the states rules????

Wobbet60 · #4 04-29-2006, 11:57 PM

I think you'll be ok for 2 reasons: 1. I have a 21 Mako on a dual axle trailer w/no brakes. I have been stopped before and nobody mentioned the brakes, to be honest I don't think 90% of the trailers I've seen down here have brakes. 2. You must obey the laws of the state where your vehicle and trailer are registered. If you had to comply with the rules of every state you planned to drive thru there would be no interstate commerce in thius country b/c every state is different. If you have commercial tags, then you can probably just stop at the weigh stations to be on the safe side and you'll probably get the green light all the way thru. If you drive safely, you shouldn't have any problems even w/o brakes. Just my $.02.

Jon G · #5 05-03-2006, 10:05 PM

I forgot about the "intra state commerce" that changes everyting, I have the Comm plates and I bet if I stopped at the scales it would be a quick stop if its my name on the truck, boat reg and trailer its not a paying job I should be all set. I know lots of guys that go to NC in the winter to and nobody that I knows has breaks. I meet Mass. law so I should be all set.