Rumblejohn wrote:
Federal and state law requires any trailer over 2000lbs to have brakes and a functional breakaway system, whether electric, hydraulic or air brakes. That is of course for use on public roadways.
Well not exactly..
Unless Federal laws have changed in the last couple of years, 3,001 lbs and higher OR if the trailer exceeds 50% of the tow vehicles towing capacity was the requirement for brakes on a trailer..
States MUST follow at least the MINIMUM Federal requirements BUT the States have the OPTION to exceed Federal requirements..
Some States have done that by requiring trailers exceeding 2,000 lbs to have brakes and some States only require the Federal requirement of 3,001 lbs or higher..
In PA, ANY trailer with a GVWR of 3,001 lbs or higher IS REQUIRED TO HAVE BRAKES.. I know that as a fact because I OWNED a utility trailer for 10 years which had a registered GVWR of 3,000 lbs.. It did not have brakes and was completely legal for me to tow.. PA also does not require a annual inspection for trailers of 3,000 lbs or less GVWR..
Trailers in PA of 3,001 lbs GVWR and higher are required to have a annual state inspection AND one of the MAJOR items they inspect is the BRAKES AND THE BREAK AWAY system..
If 2,000 lbs was Federal law then PA would have to change their requirement to the Federal requirement.. PA has not changed their rules so that would mean the Federal law is 3,001 and up..
You can easily buy NEW popups and utility trailers with 3,000 lbs and less which do not have brakes. On those, brakes are sometimes an optional "package" but if you do add brakes then the break away rule now comes into play.
Since you are in Florida, there is a good chance that Florida has a lower requirement since you made that statement..
