Trailer Brakes Motor Laws

Independent braking system required over 3,000 lbs.

An independent braking system is required when gross weight exceeds 5,000 lbs.

A breakaway system capable of applying all required brakes in the event of a separation from the towing vehicle is required.

Independent brake systems are required when the gross weight is 3,000 lbs. or more.

Every trailer or semitrailer with a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. or more shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and to hold such vehicle; and the brakes should automatically apply in the event of an accidental break-away.

Every new trailer or semitrailer weighing at least 1,500 lbs. shall come equipped with brakes on all wheels.

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.

Every trailer or semitrailer of a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. or more shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold such vehicle. Brakes shall also be designed and connected that in case of an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle, the brakes shall automatically apply.

Each trailer or semitrailer having a GVW of 3,000 lbs. or more shall be equipped with a braking system operating on all wheels.

The braking system shall be adequate to control the movement of the trailer safely and to hold the trailer stationary.

All trailers over 8,000 lbs. shall be capable of braking by foot or hand.

Every motor vehicle when operated on a highway shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement, and to stop and hold such vehicle and any trailer attached thereto, including 2 separate means of applying the brakes.

Brakes shall be placed on all wheels, except for trailers not exceeding 3,000 lbs., so long as the total weight on and including the wheels of the trailer does not exceed 40% of the GVW of the towing vehicle, and the combination of vehicles can meet the state stopping requirements.

Each trailer in excess of 3,000 lbs. shall be equipped with brakes acting on all wheels that will be applied automatically and promptly, and remain applied for at least 15 minutes upon breakaway from the towing vehicle.

There shall be a manually controlled device for applying and releasing the brakes that is readily operable by a person seated in the driving seat.

Every such vehicle and combination of vehicles shall be equipped with service brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold such vehicle under all conditions of loading, and on any grade incident to its operation.

Every vehicle shall be equipped with brakes acting on all wheels except trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers of a gross weight not exceeding 3,000 lbs., provided that the total weight on and including the wheels of the trailer or trailers shall not exceed 40 percent of the gross weight of the towing vehicle when connected to the trailer or trailers; and the combination of vehicles, consisting of the towing vehicle and its total towed load, is capable of complying with the performance requirements of the law.

Pole trailers with a gross weight in excess of 3,000 lbs. manufactured prior to January 1, 1972, need not be equipped with brakes.

Every towing vehicle, when used to tow another vehicle equipped with air-controlled brakes, in other than driveway or tow-away operations, shall be equipped with 2 means for emergency application of the trailer brakes.

Every trailer of 3,000 lbs. GVWR or more must be equipped with brakes on all wheels.

Independent braking system required where gross weight exceeds 3,000 lbs.

Trailers with an unladen weight of 1,500 lbs. must have an independent braking system, and a breakaway system capable of applying the brakes in the event of a separation from the towing vehicle is required.

Every trailer or semitrailer of a gross weight of over 3,000 lbs. must be equipped with brakes when operated upon a highway. Such brakes must be so designed and connected that in case of an accidental breakaway of a towed vehicle over 5,000 lbs., the brakes are automatically applied.

A trailer or semitrailer that weighs at least 3,000 lbs. must be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and to hold the towing vehicle and trailer or semitrailer.

These brakes must be designed so that the driver of the towing vehicle can apply the brakes from the towing vehicle itself and adequately stop both the towing vehicle and the trailer or semitrailer.

Every trailer of a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 3,000 lbs. must be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the vehicle, and so designed as to be applied by the driver of the towing motor vehicle from its cab, or with self-actuating brakes, and a weight-equalizing hitch with a sway control. Every trailer of a GVW of 3,000 lbs. or more must be equipped with a separate, auxiliary means of applying the brakes on the trailer from the cab of the towing vehicle.

Every combination of vehicles shall have a service braking system, which will stop such combination within 40 feet from an initial speed of 20 mph on a level, dry, smooth, hard surface, and shall have a parking brake system adequate to hold such combination on any grade on which it is operated under all conditions of loading.

Kentucky law does not specifically require brakes on many passenger car trailers, regardless of weight. However, vehicles singular or in combination must be able to stop within distance specified by statute.

A trailer or semitrailer that weighs at least 3,000 lbs. must be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and to hold the towing vehicle and trailer or semitrailer.

These brakes must be designed so that the driver of the towing motor vehicle can apply the brakes from the towing vehicle itself and adequately stop both the towing vehicle and the trailer or semitrailer.

Every trailer or semitrailer manufactured after 1962 must be equipped with brakes upon all wheels.

Every trailer or semitrailer between 3,001 and 5,000 lbs. only requires brakes on 1 axle.

A trailer less than 3,000 lbs. gross weight is not required to have brakes.

A trailer with a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. or greater is required to have adequate brakes acting on all wheels of all axles.

All trailers must be equipped with parking brakes adequate to hold the vehicle on any grade on which it is operated.

All trailers with a registered gross weight of at least 10,000 lbs. must be equipped with brakes on all wheels.

Trailers not exceeding 3,000 lbs. need not have brakes on all wheels, provided that the total weight of the trailers does not exceed 40% of the gross weight of the towing vehicle when connected to the trailer and the combination of vehicles is capable of complying with braking performance requirements.

Trailers between 3,000–10,000 lbs. need not have brakes on all wheels, provided that the trailer has 2 or more axles, is equipped with brakes acting on all wheels of at least 1 of the axles, and the combination of vehicles is capable of complying with braking performance requirements.

Every trailer having an unladed weight of more than 10,000 lbs. shall be equipped with air or electric brakes.

Independent braking system required when gross weight exceeds 3,000 lbs.

A trailer or a semitrailer with a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. or more, or a gross weight that exceeds the empty weight of the towing vehicle, must be equipped with brakes that can adequately control the movement of and stop and hold the trailer or semitrailer.

A trailer or semitrailer with a gross weight of 6,000 lbs. or more, must be equipped with brakes that are constructed so that they can hold the trailer or semitrailer if it becomes detached from the towing vehicle.

Every trailer carrying over 1 ton, when operated on a highway, shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of the trailer and to stop and hold the trailer.

Brakes on a trailer should be designed so that the driver of the towing vehicle from its cab may apply them.

Brakes on a trailer should be designed and connected so that in case of an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle, the brakes shall be automatically applied.

Every new trailer, except a trailer of 2 axles of less than 2,000 lbs. GVW towed by an automobile, hereafter sold in this state and operated on the highways, shall be equipped with service brakes on all wheels of every such vehicle.

Independent braking system not required except on trailers coupled by a 5th-wheel and kingpin.

All trailers and pole trailers with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 3,000 lbs. or greater must be equipped with brakes acting on wheels. All trailers and pole trailers with a GVW of less than 3,000 lbs. must be equipped with brakes on all wheels if the total weight of the trailer or trailers does not exceed 40% of the GVW of the towing vehicle.

Every trailer and pole trailer equipped with air- or vacuum-actuated brakes and every trailer and pole trailer with a GVW in excess of 3,000 lbs. must be equipped with brakes acting on all wheels that are designed to be applied automatically and promptly, and remain applied for at least 15 minutes upon breakaway from the towing vehicle.

A towing vehicle and all trailers being towed must have 1 control device that can be used to operate all service brakes.

All commercial trailers with a carrying capacity of more than 10,000 lbs. shall be equipped on each wheel with brakes that can be operated from the driving position of the towing vehicle.

All recreational trailers having a gross loaded weight of 3,000 lbs. or more but less than 6,500 lbs. shall be equipped with brakes on at least 2 wheels.

All trailers with a gross loaded weight of 6,500 lbs. or more shall be equipped with brakes on each wheel. The brakes shall be operable from the driving position of the towing vehicle. Such trailers shall also be equipped with a breakaway, surge, or impulse switch on the trailer so that the trailer brakes are activated if the trailer becomes disengaged from the towing vehicle.

Every trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer at least 1,500 lbs. and manufactured after July 1, 1975 must be equipped with service brakes on all wheels.

Trailers, semitrailers, house trailers, or pole trailers, manufactured before July 1, 1975 and weighing less than 3,000 lbs. need not have brakes on all wheels.

Every trailer, semitrailer, house trailer, and pole trailer equipped with air or vacuum-actuated brakes and every trailer, semitrailer, house trailer, and pole trailer exceeding 3,000 lbs. and manufactured after July 1, 1969 must be equipped with brakes acting on all wheels, and of such character as to be applied automatically and remain applied for 15 minutes in the event of a breakaway from the towing vehicle.

All trailers weighing more than 3,000 lbs. must be equipped with parking brakes adequate to hold the trailer on any grade on which it is operated, and in all conditions.

Every towing vehicle, when used to tow another vehicle equipped with air-controlled brakes, shall be equipped with 2 means for emergency application of the trailer brakes. One of these means shall apply the brakes automatically in the event of a reduction of the towing vehicle air supply. The other means shall be a manually controlled device for applying and releasing the brakes, readily operable by a person seated in the driver seat.

Every towing vehicle used to tow other vehicles equipped with vacuum brakes shall have a second control device that can be used to operate the brakes on towed vehicles in emergencies. The second control shall be independent of brake air, hydraulic and other pressure, and independent of other controls, unless the braking system is so arranged that failure of the pressure upon which the second control depends will cause the brakes to be applied automatically.

No motor vehicle trailer or semi-trailer shall be driven on the ways of this state unless equipped with adequate brakes in good working order and sufficient to control the said vehicle at all times.  Does not apply to a motor vehicle trailer or semi-trailer with a gross weight of less than 3,000 pounds if the axle weight of the towed vehicle does not exceed 40 percent of the sum of the rated axle weights of the towing vehicle.

Every combination of motor vehicle with a trailer or semitrailer when driven upon the roadways of the state shall at a speed of 20 mph be capable, at all times and under all conditions, of stopping on a dry, smooth, approximately level pavement free from loose material, upon application of the foot or service brake, within a distance of 30 feet.

Every trailer and semitrailer must have brakes that can be automatically applied upon break-away from the towing vehicle, and means shall be provided to stop and hold the vehicle for an adequate period of time.

In any combination of motor vehicles, means shall be provided for applying the trailer or semitrailer brakes in approximate synchronism with the brakes on the towing vehicles and creating the required braking effort on the wheels of the rear-most vehicle at the fastest rate, or means shall be provided for applying the braking effort first on the rearmost vehicle equipped with brakes. 

Brakes are required on all wheels for all trailers or semitrailers with a gross weight over 3,000 pounds; provided. The gross weight of any such trailer without brakes shall not exceed 40% of the gross weight of the towing vehicle.

Trailers must be equipped with brakes if they have a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. or greater.

In any combination of motor-drawn vehicles, means shall be provided for applying the rearmost trailer brakes, of any trailer equipped with brakes, in approximate synchronism with the brakes on the towing vehicle.

Every trailer and semitrailer weighing more than 1,000 lbs. unladen and every trailer and semitrailer manufactured on or after January 1, 1971, having a registered maximum gross weight or an actual gross weight of more than 3,000 lbs. shall be equipped with adequate brakes in good working order.

Every semitrailer, trailer, or separate vehicle attached by a drawbar or coupling to a towing vehicle of at least 4,000 lbs., and every house trailer weighing at least 1,000 lbs., shall be equipped with brakes controlled or operated by the driver of the towing vehicle.

Every trailer operated at a speed in excess of 25 mph must have safety chains or brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and to hold such vehicle. The safety chains or brakes must be designed so that they can be applied by the driver of the towing vehicle from its cab, and must be designed and connected so that in case of an accidental breakaway the brakes are automatically applied.

Brakes are required if the trailer has an empty weight of over 2,000 lbs.

Every trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer with a GVWR of 3,000 lbs. or more shall be equipped with independent braking system adequate to control the movement of and to stop such a vehicle.

Independent braking system not required, but combination of vehicles must be able to stop within legal limits. Every motor vehicle and combination of motor vehicles, except motorcycles and mopeds, shall at all times be equipped with a parking brake system.

Every vehicle or combination of vehicles, except a motorcycle, operated on a highway shall be equipped with a parking brake system adequate to hold the vehicle or combination of vehicles on any grade and under all conditions.

Every vehicle and combination of vehicles operated on a highway must be equipped with a service brake system adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the vehicle or combination of vehicles on any grade and under all conditions.

Of every combination of vehicles operated on a highway, the towed vehicle which is equipped with brakes or which has a gross weight in excess of 3,000 lbs. shall be so equipped that, upon breakaway of the towed vehicle, the towed vehicle shall be stopped and held automatically, and the towing vehicle shall be capable of being stopped and held by use of its own service braking system.

Every trailer with a gross weight of 4,000 lbs. or more must have brakes that are adequate to slow, stop, and hold the vehicle. Brakes must be designed so they can be applied from the driver of the towing vehicle’s normal operating position and that they will be automatically applied in the case of an accidental breakaway. New trailers must have service brakes on all wheels.

Every trailer must have parking brakes adequate to hold the vehicle on any grade it is operated, under all conditions of loading and on a surface free from snow, ice, or loose material.

Every combination of vehicles must be equipped with service brakes that are capable and adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the vehicle with any load and on any grade on which it is operated.

Every vehicle manufactured or assembled after June 7, 1949 must be equipped with brakes on all wheels except trailers and semitrailers of a gross weight less than 3,001 lbs. as long as the total weight on and including the wheels of the trailers does not exceed 40% of the gross weight of the towing vehicle when connected to the trailer.

Every motor vehicle manufactured after July 1, 1964 and used to tow a trailer or semitrailer must be equipped with a means for providing that the towing vehicle is capable of being stopped by the use of its service brakes.

Every motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer must be equipped with brakes that have a braking system arranged so that 1 control device can be used to operate all service brakes.

Every trailer and semitrailer must be equipped with a braking system that is arranged so that 1 control device can be used to operate all of the service brakes.

Trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers of a maximum gross weight of less than 3,000 lbs. and trailer and semitrailers not exceeding 7,000 lbs. manufactured before July 1, 1974 do not have to be equipped with brake action on all wheels provided that: the total weight on and including the wheels of the trailer or trailers does not exceed 40% of the gross weight of the towing vehicle when connected to the trailer or trailers; and (2) the combination of vehicles consisting of the towing vehicle and its total towed load is capable of complying with all performance requirements.

Every trailer or semitrailer of a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. or more must be equipped with brakes that may be applied by the driver of the towing vehicle from the cab and must be of a design such that in case of an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle, the brakes will be automatically applied.

A trailer or pole trailer is required to have brakes if its gross weight exceeds 4,500 lbs. A trailer with a gross weight between 4,500 lbs. and 15,000 lbs. is not required to have brakes if it is towed at a speed of not more than 30 mph.

Every motor vehicle and every combination of vehicle shall have a service braking system which will stop the vehicle or combination within 40 feet from an initial speed of 20 mph on level, dry, smooth, hard surface.

Every motor vehicle and combination of vehicles shall have a parking brake system adequate to hold the vehicle or combination of any grade on which it is operated under all conditions of loading on a surface free from snow, ice, or loose material.

Trailers, semitrailers, trailer coaches, or pole trailers of a gross weight not exceeding 3,000 lbs. need not have brakes provided the total weight on, and including, the wheels of the trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, shall not exceed 40 percent of the gross weight of the towing vehicle when connected to the trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer.

Every trailer, semitrailer, or trailer coach of a gross weight of more than 3,000 lbs. but less than 6,000 lbs. when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with brakes on the wheels of at least 1 axle, adequate to control the movement of and to stop and to hold the vehicle and so designed as to be applied by the driver of the towing motor vehicle from its cab. The brakes shall be so designed and connected that, in case of an accidental break-away of the towed vehicle, the brakes shall be automatically applied and remain applied for not less than 15 minutes.

Every trailer, semitrailer, or trailer coach of a gross weight of 6,000 lbs. or more, when operated upon the highways of this state, shall be equipped with brakes on all wheels adequate to control the movement of and to stop and to hold the vehicle and so designed as to be applied by the driver of the towing motor vehicle from its cab. The brakes shall be so designed and connected that in case of an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle, the brakes shall be automatically applied and remain applied for not less than 15 minutes.

Every vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or any other vehicle being drawn at the end of a combination of vehicles shall be equipped with at least 2 tail lamps on the rear, unless the vehicle is only equipped with 1.

Trailers must be equipped with brakes if the gross weight exceeds 3,000 lbs.

Trailers must be equipped with at least 1 red brake light on the rear of the vehicle.

Every trailer and pole trailer, and every vehicle combination must be equipped with service brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the vehicle under all conditions of loading, and on any grade incident to its operation. Every trailer and pole trailer must be equipped with brakes acting on wheels except for those not exceeding a Gross Weight (GW) of 3,000 lbs. if the total weight on and including the wheels of the trailer or trailers does not exceed 40% of the GW of the towing vehicle when connected to the trailer.

Every trailer or semitrailer with a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. or more when operated on a highway must be equipped with brakes adequate to control the vehicle, and designed to be applied by the driver of the towing vehicle. The brakes must be connected in such a way that in the case of an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle, the brakes apply automatically.

In any combination of motor-driven vehicles, the means shall be provided for applying the rearmost trailer brakes, of any trailer equipped with brakes, in approximate synchronism with the brakes of the towing vehicle and developing the required braking effort on the rearmost wheels at the fastest rate; means must be provided for applying the braking effort on the rearmost trailer equipped with brakes; or both of the means provided if used in the alternate.

A motor vehicle or combination of motor-drawn vehicles must be capable of stopping at the following rates as if on a dry, smooth, level free road: (1) vehicles or combinations of vehicles with brakes on all wheels must be able to decelerate at a speed of 14 feet per second; and (2) vehicles or combinations of vehicles not having brakes on all wheels must be able to decelerate at a speed 10.7 feet per second.

Any trailer, semitrailer, or other towed vehicle with a GVW of 3,000 lbs. or more must be equipped with brakes adequate enough to stop the vehicle.

Every combination of vehicles must have a service braking system that will stop the combination of vehicles within 40 feet from an initial speed of 20 mph on a level, dry, smooth, hard surface.

Every combination of vehicles must have a parking brake system adequate to hold the combination of vehicles on any grade on which it is operated under all conditions of loading on a surface free from snow, ice, or loose material.

Private trailers weighing more than 909 kg (2,000 lbs.) and more than half of the actual weight of the towing vehicle, need to be equipped with a braking device that can stop and control the trailer.

No breakaway device required.

Independent trailer braking system required where licensed weight of a trailer (excluding tow dollies) exceeds 1,400 kg or over 50% of licensed weight of towing vehicle; not required with motorhome towing with a towbar a motor vehicle weighing less than 2,000 kg that is also less than 40% of motorhome GVWR.

Tow dolly braking systems are required where the aggregate net weight of the tow dolly and the GVW of the towed vehicle exceeds 1,400 kg except where the GVWR on the towing vehicle is greater than the combined net weight of the tow dolly, the GVW of the motor vehicle being towed and the GVW of the towing vehicle.

Every semitrailer or trailer that is attached to a semitrailer truck, and every trailer with a gross weight in excess of 910 kg that is attached to a motor vehicle must be equipped with brakes capable of stopping the vehicle or combination of vehicles when traveling at a speed of 30 km/h within a distance of: (1) 7.6 meters for a passenger car type vehicle; (2) 9 meters for a single-unit vehicle (other than a passenger car type vehicle) or combination of vehicles if the weight is less than 4,540 kg; (3) 12.2 meters for a single-unit 2-axle vehicle if the weight is 4,540 kg or greater; and (4) 15.3 meters for all other vehicles and combinations thereof if the weight is 4,540 kg or greater.

Every trailer or semitrailer with a gross mass of 1 1/2 tons or more must be equipped with brakes that may be applied by the driver of the towing motor vehicle, in the case of a trailer or semitrailer equipped with air brakes, and the brakes must be designed and connected so that in the case of an accidental breakaway, the brakes will automatically apply.

In a combination of motor-driven vehicles in which a trailer is equipped with brakes, the brakes must be designed so that the brakes of the rearmost trailer are applied in approximate synchronism with the brakes of the towing vehicle, and so that the brakes on the trailer exude the required braking effort on the rearmost wheels at the fastest rate; the braking effort applies first on the rearmost trailer equipped with brakes; or, must include both of the above systems so installed as to be used alternately.

Every combination of motor-drawn vehicles must be equipped with service foot brakes adequate and effective under all conditions of traveling: (1) to stop within 10 meters when all wheels are equipped with brakes, and 12 meters otherwise when traveling at a speed of 30 km/h; and (2) to decelerate the vehicle or combination thereof at a rate of 426 cm per second when all wheels are equipped with brakes; and, (3) otherwise at a sustained rate of 326 cm per second, as if on a dry, smooth, level roadway.

The service brakes on a combination of vehicles must be capable of bringing the motor vehicle and a fully loaded combination of vehicles to a standstill at 30 km/h under the following conditions: (1) in a straight line; (2) within 10 meters from the point at which the brakes were applied; and (3) on a dry and level paved surface made of either asphalt or concrete that is free from

The emergency or parking brake on a fully loaded combination of vehicles must be capable of bringing the combination of vehicles to a standstill within 16 meters from the point at which the brakes were applied either on a dry and level paved surface made of concrete or asphalt and free from loose materials, or at a speed of 30 km/h. Additionally the emergency brakes must be capable of holding the combination of vehicles at a standstill while they are fully loaded and facing up or down at a 20% grade.

No person may operate a trailer manufactured before 1985 unless the service brakes apply to the wheels on the opposite ends of 1 axle, or a trailer manufactured after 1984 unless the brakes apply to the wheels on opposite ends of each axle.

All trailers and semitrailers with a gross weight of load and vehicle of more than 4,000 lbs. must have properly functioning brakes controlled by the operator of the motor vehicle.

Every trailer having a gross weight of 1,360 kg or more must be equipped with brakes adequate to stop and hold the vehicle.

A combination of a motor vehicle and a trailer where the trailer has an RGW of 3,000 lbs. or less must have brakes adequate to stop within 40 feet while being operated at a speed of 20 mph on a dry, smooth, hard-paved surface free from loose material and having not more than 1% gradient.

A combination of a motor vehicle and a trailer where the trailer has an RGW of more than 3,000 lbs. must have brakes adequate to stop within 50 feet while being operated at a speed of 20 mph on a dry, smooth, hard-paved surface free from loose material and having not more than 1% gradient.

A combination of a motor vehicle and a mobile home must have brakes adequate to stop within 50 feet while being operated at a speed of 20 mph on a dry, smooth, hard-paved surface free from loose material and having not more than 1% gradient.

Every trailer or semitrailer weighing 1,500 kg or more must be equipped with brakes that can control the movement of and stop and hold the towing vehicle, and the vehicles being towed.

The brakes must be designed and connected so that the brakes are automatically applied if 1 of the vehicles being towed breaks away.

Every trailer or semitrailer weighing 1,500 kg or more must be equipped with service brakes on all the wheels.

Any trailer or semitrailer weighing less than 1,500 kg is not required to be equipped with service brakes on the wheels.

A towing vehicle must be equipped with a mechanical connection that is capable of holding the vehicle, or combination of vehicles under any condition upon which it is operated.

Every motor vehicle and combination of motor-drawn vehicles must be capable of being stopped on a dry, smooth, level road free from loose material, within the distances specified: vehicles or a combination of vehicles having brakes on all wheels going 30 km/h must stop within 9.15 meters; and vehicles or a combination of vehicles not having brakes on all wheels must stop within 12.20 meters.

A trailer or semitrailer that has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than 1,360 kg or has a GVWR that exceeds the GVWR of the towing vehicle by more than 50% must have the following type of brake system: (1) if the vehicle was manufactured before 1985, the brakes are applied on wheels on opposite ends of at least 1 axle; and (2) if the vehicle was manufactured in or after 1985, the brakes are applied on opposite ends of all axles.

The brake system must automatically activate the brakes in the case of a breakaway from the towing vehicle without affecting the brakes of the towing vehicle.

The service brakes must be adjusted so that they apply braking equal on the wheels on the opposite ends of the same axle.

The weight of a trailer and its load or a combination of trailers and their loads must not exceed the following: (1) in the case of a trailer or semitrailer with a gooseneck hitch (not equipped with air brakes), a 5th-wheel hitch or a weight distributing hitch, 2 times the GVWR of the towing vehicle; or (2) in the case of a ball hitch, the GVWR of the towing vehicle.

The maximum width for a house trailer that is being moved between sunrise and sunset is 3.05 meters.

The maximum length for any combination of vehicles is 23 meters.