hi,i live in a state that does not require supplemental braking systems on a towed vehicle.regardless on how one feels about the need for them my question iswhat is the law if you drive into another state that does require it.

You must abide by the law of the state you are in. Not the state that you are from. When it applies to dot laws.

K Charles wrote:hereKeep in mind that that site is sponsored by an auxiliary brake manufacturer. While I can't speak to the law in all states, it is inaccurate about the laws in Montana. It quotes TRAILER laws, but in the Montana Code Annotated Definitions (MCA 61-1-101) it quite plainly states that a towed motor vehicle is NOT a trailer!Montana is, however, a "Performance Law" state (MCA 61-9-312): If you can stop within 40 feet from 20 MPH on a level clean hard surface, you are legal whether your towed vehicle has a braking system or not.I do NOT trust ANY "List Of Towing Laws" that can be found on the internet. Every one of them that I have seen is inaccurate!Actually, there are very few states which require a braking system on a towed motor vehicle. Several states, though, have braking performance requirements similar to the law in Montana.

Safety aside, I am from the don't ask don't tell philosophy. If you were stopped you may get off with a warning if the state you are from doesn't require them. The operative word here is MAY. JMO

mowermech wrote:K Charles wrote:hereKeep in mind that that site is sponsored by an auxiliary brake manufacturer. While I can't speak to the law in all states, it is inaccurate about the laws in Montana. It quotes TRAILER laws, but in the Montana Code Annotated Definitions (MCA 61-1-101) it quite plainly states that a towed motor vehicle is NOT a trailer!Montana is, however, a "Performance Law" state (MCA 61-9-312): If you can stop within 40 feet from 20 MPH on a level clean hard surface, you are legal whether your towed vehicle has a braking system or not.I do NOT trust ANY "List Of Towing Laws" that can be found on the internet. Every one of them that I have seen is inaccurate!Actually, there are very few states which require a braking system on a towed motor vehicle. Several states, though, have braking performance requirements similar to the law in Montana.+1 Lots of bogus info out there concerning the requirements for braking systems

supplemental braking and out of state | Good Sam Community

33 Replies

mowermech
Explorer
Oct 12, 2013
K Charles wrote:
here

Keep in mind that that site is sponsored by an auxiliary brake manufacturer. While I can't speak to the law in all states, it is inaccurate about the laws in Montana. It quotes TRAILER laws, but in the Montana Code Annotated Definitions (MCA 61-1-101) it quite plainly states that a towed motor vehicle is NOT a trailer!
Montana is, however, a "Performance Law" state (MCA 61-9-312): If you can stop within 40 feet from 20 MPH on a level clean hard surface, you are legal whether your towed vehicle has a braking system or not.
I do NOT trust ANY "List Of Towing Laws" that can be found on the internet. Every one of them that I have seen is inaccurate!
Actually, there are very few states which require a braking system on a towed motor vehicle. Several states, though, have braking performance requirements similar to the law in Montana.
K_Charles
Explorer
Oct 12, 2013
here
Queens_Carriage
Explorer
Oct 12, 2013
You must abide by the law of the state you are in. Not the state that you are from. When it applies to dot laws.

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supplemental braking and out of state

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