Trailer Brake Requirements For Towed Vehicles

Weight Limits for Towing without Supplemental Brakes (Source: American Automobile Association Digest of Motor Laws, 2008 Edition)

Oregon law requires that any vehicle or combination of vehicles weighing less than 8,000 pounds must be able to stop within a travel lane in 25 feet from 20 miles per hour.

If the vehicle or combination of vehicles weighs over 8,000 pounds, the vehicle must be able to stop within a travel lane in 35 feet from 20 miles per hour.

Check your owner’s manual of the tow vehicle to see what the manufacturer recommends.

Most manufacturers recommend trailer brakes if the trailer and load weighs 1,000 pounds or more. (ORS 815.125)

Kansas, Utah and Wyoming law requires any vehicle or combination to be able to stop from 20 MPH within 40' or less.

An electric trailer brake controller will be needed to activate the brakes
on most utility trailers. There is a large variety of styles and models
available on the market. If your trailer already has the brake assemblies
installed click the picture below to check out our selection of controls.

We also offer a selection of repair parts and complete replacement backing
plate assemblies to help you upgrade an existing system.

Do you tow a "dinghy" car behind your motorhome? If so you probably
need an actuator for the towed vehicle brakes. As with trailer brakes, there
are several supplemental brake activator systems of different types available.

Weight Limit By Pounds Or Other Restriction (See "Key")

United States Canada

Alabama.	3,000	Kentucky	3,000	North Dakota	3,000	Alberta	2,000
Alaska	5,000	Louisiana	3,000	Ohio	2,000	British Columbia	3,080
Arizona	3,000	Maine	3,000	Oklahoma	3,000	Manitoba	'A'
Arkansas	3,000	Maryland	3,000	Oregon	‘A’	New Brunswick	3,000
California	1,500	Massachusetts	10,000	Pennsylvania	3,000	Newfoundland	‘A’
Colorado	3,000	Michigan	3,000	Rhode Island	4,000	Northwest Territories	'C'
Connecticut	3,000	Minnesota	3,000	South Carolina	3,000	Nova Scotia	4,000
Delaware	4,000	Mississippi	2,000	South Dakota	3,000	Ontario	3,000
D.C	3,000	Missouri	‘B’	Tennessee	3,000	Prince Edward Island	3,300
Florida	3,000	Montana	3,000	Texas	4,500	Quebec	2,860
Georgia	3,000	Nebraska	3,000	Utah	2,000	Saskatchewan	3,000
Hawaii	3,000	Nevada	1,500	Vermont	3,000	Yukon Territory	2,000
Idaho	1,500	New Hampshire	3,000	Virginia	3,000
Illinois	3,000	New Jersey	3,000	Washington	3,000
Indiana	3,000	New Mexico	3,000	West Virginia	3,000
Iowa	3,000	New York	1,000	Wisconsin	3,000
Kansas	'A'	North Carolina	4,000	Wyoming	'A'

                                                                                                                                                   Key

                                                                                                                             'A' — Must stop within a specified distance
                                                                                                                             'B' — Not stated or no requirement
                                                                                                                             'C' — Supplemental brakes always required

EVERY REASONABLE EFFORT WAS MADE TO VERIFY THE ACCURACY OF THIS INFORMATION; HOWEVER TOWSHOP DOES NOT WARRANT ITS ACCURACY AND DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIMS OR DAMAGES WHICH MAY RESULT FROM ERRORS OR OMISSIONS.