Does Your State Require a SBS

[D_E_Bishop]

Last week I ask for information regarding the Vehicle Codes from the members and I asked that editorial and personal opinion not be posted. I forgot that it is impossible to ask for something without most members having to editorialize. Sorry now that I ask. On Thursday I decided I was fed up with the editorial and said that post would be my last until I could get Chapter and Verse from our CHP. Well today I asked and they were too busy to give me C&V but the officer that conducts the lite weight truck inspections did say that the law was changed from a brake performance test to a specific weight. Now the towing of trailers (1500 lbs or More) and all motorized vehicles (1500 lbs or more) whether four down, dolly or trailered must have SBS. It is logical that recreational towing of motorized vehicles is no different than towing trailers of 1500 lbs or more in regards to stopping.

I do not know when the law changed and it seems the CHP doesn't either, but now that I do know the LAW as it is stated in the Vehicle Code, I will replace the SBS that was stolen from my towed while it was parked at my home. I've been towing a Sidekick and at 2700 lbs was pretty east to control but the Grand Vitara I bought to replace the Sidekick when it ate a couple of valves, is much heavier and seeing as how our camping days or restricted to at least the week before Thanksgiving, I have plenty of time to conform to the law.

I would like to know the laws in the other 48 states I'm not aware of but it's not worth the insults and such that some of you feel is your right to state. I guess it is, constitutionally, but not morally



There is a huge amount of information on States that require Supplemental Braking Systems on Toweds. It is really hard to know what is true or maybe a little bend in the truth. I know for a fact that California does not specify when a SBS is required. What is said is that one may be required if you cannot stop your RV within a specific distance at a specific speed.

I have quoted chapter and verse in the past but no longer have that information, it is, however, in the archives of the Forums.

What does your state require and can you provide code giving the specifics. No need to quote the code, just enough information that any member could find it on line.

Please no editorials on whether or not they are needed or what you have installed for your rig, or what you think your state requires. As Joe Friday used to say, "the facts Mam, just the facts".

[D_E_Bishop]

Y-Guy, Without editorial, I believe that RCW 46.37.340 Sub Section 3-c. Clearly states the requirement and refers to another section of the RCW which is the Brake Performance code.

RV's are exempt.

[Tom_Barb]

mowermech wrote:
That's why, if you drive your Jeep to Moab, UT with large, wide tires that stick out beyond the fender flares, you just might get a ticket that requires you to fix it or park it.

That's laughable,, Have you ever been to Moab?

Off road Jeeps run the streets with tires that stick out a foot beyond the body, and there are no fenders.

I ran 31" X 1200 that were legal here and was never stopped by any other state.

I'm gone, you have no idea of the subject.

[STBRetired]

HERE is a chart from the Roadmaster Towbar folks that summarizes the laws about what states and provinces require SBS.

[Y-Guy]

D.E.Bishop a few years ago I came across a site that did a pretty good job listing each States laws, sadly I can't find that list right now.

There have been past similar discussions here regarding the true legal requirement of brakes or no-brakes with very little "facts" one way or the other. While a loose dinghy does happen, its fairly rare it seems (thankfully).

Often there is an argument about whether the dingy is a trailer or not since many laws seem more specific to an actual travel trailers, fifth wheels, etc. I did come across the a Federal regulation that specified a trailer; Federal Regulations Title 49 (49CFR571.4) of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, “Trailer means a motor vehicle with or without motive power, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by another motor vehicle." So with that and a State regulation regarding braking for trailers would appear (my take) to point to a requirement for braking if the State calls it out.

Washington State RCWs Braking equipment required

This link may get you closer to actually finding the laws State by State, RVIA Break Requirements

[mowermech]

Wisconsin statute 340.01 (71):
"(71) “Trailer” means a vehicle without motive power
designed for carrying property or passengers wholly on its own
structure and for being drawn by a motor vehicle, but does not
include a mobile home."

A vehicle "without motive power designed for...being drawn by a motor vehicle" is a trailer. That description does not fit my Jeep.

[mowermech]

Tom/Barb wrote:

JRscooby wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:

No such message in my owners manual ,, I simply say how much I can tow. (15.000#)

AS long as you are below your legal gross vehicles weight and legal in your home state the lawyer can touch you. (for that )

News Flash! Home state speed limit 80, speed limit where you at 55, 80 will get you big ticket. If your Blood alcohol is over the limit where you at, they don't care what it is at home. You legal towing 2 trailer at home, but the state you are in does not allow? You better have a plan, 'cause adjustments will be made. Over length?
Many do not understand, if your drivers license is good at home for the vehicle you are driving, then you have no DL issues. But if the vehicle is not legal in the state you have no right to drive it.

stay on topic speed limits have nothing to do with the OP's question.

states have reciprocal agreements that allow other state vehicles to operate legally .

Reciprocity Agreements often only apply to driver licensing, registration, and insurance. That's why, if you drive your Jeep to Moab, UT with large, wide tires that stick out beyond the fender flares, you just might get a ticket that requires you to fix it or park it. Legal equipment in your state might not be legal in the state next door!
It is a good idea to research the laws in your state, and any state you plan to visit. You might be pleasantly surprised to find out what is or is not covered by law. Remember, "Ignorance of the law is no excuse!"

[Hikerdogs]

Wisconsin like Washington requires supplimental braking on ANYTHING being towed that weighs over 3,000 lbs. Unlike Washington a towed vhhicle can be towed at the posted speed limit just like a trailer.

While there is no "law" stating it Ford says the F53 chassis brakes are rated for the GVWR not the GCWR. They also state that ANYTHING being towed that weighs over 1,500 lbs. should have supplimental brakes.

So if you're towing a vehicle with a motorhome built on the F53 chassis and the combined weight of the motorhome and towed vehicle exceeds the GVWR, or the towed vehicle itself exceeds 1,500 lbs. you should have a supplimental braking system.

The "over 1,500 lb." clause pretty much covers every 4 wheel vehicle built in the last 50 years.

[Tom_Barb]

JRscooby wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:

No such message in my owners manual ,, I simply say how much I can tow. (15.000#)

AS long as you are below your legal gross vehicles weight and legal in your home state the lawyer can touch you. (for that )

News Flash! Home state speed limit 80, speed limit where you at 55, 80 will get you big ticket. If your Blood alcohol is over the limit where you at, they don't care what it is at home. You legal towing 2 trailer at home, but the state you are in does not allow? You better have a plan, 'cause adjustments will be made. Over length?
Many do not understand, if your drivers license is good at home for the vehicle you are driving, then you have no DL issues. But if the vehicle is not legal in the state you have no right to drive it.

stay on topic speed limits have nothing to do with the OP's question.

states have reciprocal agreements that allow other state vehicles to operate legally .

[D_E_Bishop]

Well thanks to the few who understood what I asked and tried to answer my post with actual answers.

Thanks again.

I am going to ask to have the post closed asap.

[JRscooby]

Tom/Barb wrote:

No such message in my owners manual ,, I simply say how much I can tow. (15.000#)

AS long as you are below your legal gross vehicles weight and legal in your home state the lawyer can touch you. (for that )

News Flash! Home state speed limit 80, speed limit where you at 55, 80 will get you big ticket. If your Blood alcohol is over the limit where you at, they don't care what it is at home. You legal towing 2 trailer at home, but the state you are in does not allow? You better have a plan, 'cause adjustments will be made. Over length?
Many do not understand, if your drivers license is good at home for the vehicle you are driving, then you have no DL issues. But if the vehicle is not legal in the state you have no right to drive it.

[Tom_Barb]

Bumpyroad wrote:
really informative. a thread on RVNET giving different interpretations of state requirements for 50 states. but regardless of what is said here, when you have an issue, and the lawyer for the folks you smash into reads the owner's manual for your RV and it sez >>>> needs xxx if towing over xxx lbs., bend over and KYAG.
bumpy

No such message in my owners manual ,, I simply say how much I can tow. (15.000#)

AS long as you are below your legal gross vehicles weight and legal in your home state the lawyer can touch you. (for that )

[Bumpyroad]

really informative. a thread on RVNET giving different interpretations of state requirements for 50 states. but regardless of what is said here, when you have an issue, and the lawyer for the folks you smash into reads the owner's manual for your RV and it sez >>>> needs xxx if towing over xxx lbs., bend over and KYAG.
bumpy

[JRscooby]

Another thing to consider besides Physics; You might be legal in your home state without brakes, but when you cross state line you are not always. If the state you are in requires brakes, you could face a fine if you do not have. The state requires, and somebody pulls out in front of you...

[BB_TX]

toedtoes wrote:
D.E.Bishop has been a longtime poster and I don't think he's looking for himself. I think he wanted to have all the state laws in one thread for reference when folks ask about braking system requirements.

That’s the way I read it.

[camperdave]

I'd like to see someone try and win an argument about the semantics of what a trailer is with a highway patrol officer lol.

Personally I thought it was the law in California for anything over 1500 pounds, but I guess maybe not. But for me, any time my combined weight is over the GVWR I want trailer brakes.

Anyway, asking people here about the law in their state is going to be an exercise in futility. We obviously don't know! :?