Laws on towing a motorcycle trailer?

[PbdBlue]

Originally Posted by RayDK

Here (in part) is what California DOT states regarding brakes.

"In California, brakes are required on any trailer coach or camp trailer having a gross weight of 1500 lbs. or more."

Not exactly. Notice the words "trailer coach or camp trailer". I looked into this in depth when buying a flatbed trailer for my RZR. and found out there's a loophole for utility trailers in CAand that limit is 3000#. If you go out to dealer lots you will find almost every small flat bed trailer routinely derated to 2990# and not equipped with brakes. I found this odd so I researched and found out that about the different limit for utility trailers. That said when I bought my trailer I ordered it with surge brakes even though I'm under 3000#.

"Every trailer and semitrailer manufactured after 1940 with a GVW of 6,000 lbs. or more and operated at a speed of 20 mph or more must be equipped with brakes; trailers and semitrailers built after 1966 and with a GVW of 3,000 lbs. or more must have brakes on at least 2 wheels; every trailer or semitrailer built after 1982 and equipped with air brakes must be equipped with brakes on all wheels.

Every trailer coach or camp trailer with a GVW of 1,500 lbs. or more must be equipped with brakes on at least 2 wheels."

[dix39]

When changing tires on our loaded trailers I simply left them hooked to the tow vehicle and jacked them up. I had no problems doing it that way, but perhaps my bikes were lighter. At any rate, just be certain you have a lug wrench, jack and spare that will work for the trailer before leaving home. You may also need some blocks. Probably the best thing to do is to run through a drill early on to see what will be required and to be certain what you have will work.

Best of luck.

Steve

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Check with the Oregon DOT. Their rules will mostly be honored in any of the other states you travel through. The exception might be break-a-way brakes or a braking system at all. For your safety and the safety of others on the road, having brakes and a break-a-way braking system is peace of mind. I'd look for surge disc brakes, if possible, they work, no dash controller or adjustment of the brakes needed.

For a small flatbed trailer, the weight might be so little as no brakes needed, for an enclosed trailer it might need brakes, according to trailer's loaded weight.

Nope, each state has their own rules/laws on trailers and you must comply with any and all of them, including braking lighting, fenders, etc.