Trailers & the Law

[Ken Shubert]

There's a nice site by the BlueOX trailer people that has tabulated all the trailer regulations by states.  http://www.lnk.sramarketing.com/automatic/tips/laws.htmlThese regulations don't seem to be enforced very uniformly but: Towing a H26/H260 in any state but Hawaii would require a permit.Towing a H23.5/H240 is some eastern states would require a permit."Break Away Brakes" are required by most everything.Even a jet-ski needs trailer brakes in many states.In Colorado you'll be 20 MPH slower than cars on many freeways.Comments anyone?KenS/V Wouff Hong

 

[Cliff Ruckstuhl]

Never had a problem

We have trailored our 25.5 (9.1) beam alot and have never had a problem. I think the Law has other things to worry about than some guy being a few inches over the limit. I'll keep on trailoring till some one tells me not to. Last year my buddy has the same boat was stopped by the Mich. Sate Patrol and the officer did'nt even ask about the beam did'nt say any thing about him trailoring at all. So its up to the guy buying the boat. It would not stop me from getting the boat I want.

 

[Steve Petrie]

What's a few inches among friends

I have towed a H26 (9'beam) from Idaho to west coast of WA on four occasions wihtout incident. Once, a police officer talked with me for over 30 minutes about sailing and his desire for a trailerable sailboat without asking for beam/trailer width. We moved from Idaho to OH last fall and towed it without incident across UT, WY, NE, MO, IL, and IN. I agree that it seems most police officers have more important things to do. I would not worry about it.

 

[Bob E.]

Towing insurance?

You might not get stopped by the police, but better try to not have an accident. Your insurance company might not be too happy about paying a claim for a vehicle technically in violation of the law.

 

[anonymous]

don't worry... be happy

My sister is a state patrol here in a midwest state. I asked her about it indirectly at first and she did not know why she should be concerned about the boat width. When I told her the exact law and why I was concerned, she told me that they really only pay attention to commercial vehicles exceeding widths. The only reason she would even check a private vehicle would be if it was an extremely wide load.

 

[Dave Condon]

Trailerable Hunters

In the years of towing the Hunter 26 and others, never once have I been stopped except to check the color of the diesel fuel in my pickup truck. I knew of folks who are police officers and also those who issue wide load permits that never obtained wide load permits.As for the insurance company, you will need to check your policy but for the most part, they look at what caused the accident to determine laibility and will pay accoridingly.