When towing a trailer, the driver is responsible for ensuring it is in good mechanical condition and safely attached to the vehicle.
Check your vehicle, trailer, connections and load before getting on the road, including the following:
- Trailer tires, axles, bearings and lights are in proper working condition
- The ball and hitch coupling assembly are the same size and latch securely
- Two safety chains of proper length and strength are attached between the vehicle and trailer with enough slack to allow proper turning; attaching the safety chains in a crisscross pattern creates a cradle to catch the tongue of the trailer if an unexpected disconnection occurs
- If you are hauling a boat, be sure it is secured to the trailer in the front and back
- Weight is properly distributed; trailers must be loaded correctly to prevent sway and fishtailing by placing the majority of the weight to the front of the trailer
Secure your load
Have you ever had a rock hit your windshield? Now imagine that object is a ladder,
wheelbarrow, hammer, cordwood or piece of furniture. Now imagine that the family behind that load is your family. Wisconsin has laws (348.10, Wis. Stats) on unsecured loads and offenders may face jail time and fines if someone is hurt or property is damaged.
Driving with an unsecured load is both against the law and extremely dangerous. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 739 deaths, 17,367 injuries and 89,915 property damage crashes resulted from unsecured loads and road debris.
A load must be securely fastened and is only considered secure when nothing can drop, sift, leak or otherwise escape onto the roadway or become airborne.
To secure the load in your vehicle or trailer:
- Tie it down with rope, netting, or straps
- Tie large objects directly to your vehicle or trailer
- Cover the entire load with a sturdy tarp or netting
- Don't overload the vehicle or trailer
- Always double-check your load to make sure it's secure
Before you drive, ask yourself these questions:
- Is there any chance of debris or cargo falling or blowing out of my vehicle?
- Is my load secured at the back, sides and top?
- What would happen to my load if I had to brake suddenly, hit a bump, or another vehicle hit me?
- Would I want my loaded vehicle driving through my neighborhood?
- Would I feel safe if I were driving behind my vehicle?
- Is "Secure Your Load" on my company's safety checklist?
Did you know?
- A 20 lb. object traveling at 55 miles per hour has a force equal to 1,000 lbs. at impact.
- Unsecured loads are responsible for up to 40% of the litter on our roads, costing us billions of dollars each year.
Size and weight guidance
WisDOT establishes vehicle weight and size restrictions to keep motorists safe while maintaining the integrity of Wisconsin roads.
Maximum dimensions allowed for common recreational vehicles operating on highways:
- Width: 8.5 feet
- Height: 13.5 feet
- Length of drivable motorhome or single vehicle: 45 feet
- Length of combined truck and trailer: 70 feet
- Length of towable camper: 46 feet long
Motorists are required to follow posted weight restrictions on local roads and bridges.
Drivers may be eligible for an oversize-overweight permit if these limits are exceeded.
Three-vehicle trains, including combinations of camper trailers, boats and recreational vehicle trailers, do not require a permit from WisDOT as long as they meet operating conditions specified in state statute.