Generally, towing laws are left up to each individual state.
Thus, it is important to do your homework before setting off on a
journey across state lines. Before towing a trailer through the state of
Pennsylvania, you should visit the Pennsylvania DMV website and
familiarize yourself with Keystone State laws regarding towing.
Brakes
Any trailer being towed in the state of Pennsylvania
must be equipped with a fully functioning brake system. The brakes must
apply to all four wheels. When the brakes are applied, the trailer must
stop within a certain distance. Trailers weighing more than 3,000
pounds must have a breakaway system. Trailers with extra wheels must
have a brake system on each extra wheel.
Tires
A trailer's tires must all be the same size, unless
there is an emergency. Non-pneumatic tires are prohibited, and tires
cannot have ice grips or studs applied that are more than 1/16 of an
inch long. Drivers may not mix radial and belted tires on the same axis;
all tires on an axis must be of the same type. Tires cannot touch any
part of the trailer's main body, fenders or chassis.
Lighting
A trailer must have at least one red light attached
to the back that lights up when the brakes are applied. Trailers also
are required to have rear lights, parking lights, turn-signal lights,
hazard lights and stop lamps. All lights must be visible to the human
eye from 500 feet away at night. A trailer's turn-signal lights must
flash with a frequency between 60 and 120 flashes every minute. Trailers
must have a small light that keeps the trailer's license plate
illuminated at night.
Additional Regulations
A trailer that is higher than 30 inches off the
ground must have a bumper. Each trailer should be outfitted with
rear-wheel flaps that prevent the back tires from splashing debris into
following cars. Trailers cannot be towed faster than 55 miles per hour
on the highway. Trailers cannot be wider than 8 feet, 6 inches, and
cannot be taller than 6 feet. The overall length of the car and the
trailer connected cannot be longer than 60 feet.
by: Ginger Yapp
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