Staying Legal While Towing a Horse Trailer

Transporting your horse can be a rewarding experience, but it's important to do it safely and legally. From understanding licensing requirements to navigating weigh stations, this podcast episode breaks down the essential information you need to know.

Key Points:

• Personal vs. Commercial Hauling: Personal use typically doesn't require a CDL, but commercial hauling often does.
• Vehicle and Trailer Inspections: State-specific requirements vary, but regular maintenance is essential.
• Towing and Speed Regulations: Adhere to posted speed limits and take extra precautions on challenging roads.
• Weigh Stations and Agricultural Inspections: Be prepared to stop at these stations if your vehicle exceeds weight limits or is transporting livestock.
• Practical Tips: Ensure your vehicle and trailer are compatible, and always perform pre-trip checks.

Want to learn more? Listen to the full podcast episode to gain deeper insights into specific state regulations, tips for navigating challenging road conditions, and expert advice for a safe and legal towing experience.

Today, we're discussing the topic of staying legal while towing a horse trailer.

The first thing to take into account on that is the difference between personal use versus commercial trailer hauling. Basically, if it's personal, you're not getting paid, right? So you're hauling to horse shows or trail rides, maybe you're moving your horses between stables. Heck, I don't know, maybe you just want to take your horses for a ride in your new trailer. But if you're not getting paid for it, then it's generally considered for personal use.

Whereas commercial hauling is going to involve transporting horses as part of a business operation, such as racing stables, horse transport companies, boarding, training facilities, and so on. If you're receiving compensation, you're hauling commercially.

Licensing Requirements

The license requirement, depending on what type... When I say license, I'm talking about the driver's license in your pocket. So if you get stopped by the DMV and they say, "Hand me your license and registration," this is what I'm talking about.

That's going to vary state by state and will be determined by whether it's personal or commercial. I think probably 95% of the folks out there that are listening to this podcast more than likely are personal, so that's what we will focus on. We'll hit a few highlights on the topics and not get too deep in the discussion because it can get complicated.

Vehicle and Trailer Inspections

That's going to be state-specific. The requirement for trailer inspections varies. Some states are going to require an annual inspection. Our wonderful motor vehicle department wants to make sure they get some money from you every year. It also lights a fire under us as trailer owners to make sure the tires at least look decent once a year.

You’ll also want to check:

• Brakes and bearings
• Lights
• Emergency breakaway system
• The frame to ensure there are no structural cracks or anything like that.

Although having to get an annual inspection may be a little inconvenient, it certainly increases or improves the safety of the load being hauled.

Some states offer permanent license plates, and some have inspection exemptions. For example, I'm in North Carolina, and North Carolina offers a permanent plate for trailers. Oftentimes, you can get an exemption on that, but check your state requirements. Contact your motor vehicle department. They’re a great resource—or at least they should be.

Well, I say they can tell you. Oftentimes, when I speak to the DMV, if I talk to three different people, I get three different answers. So you definitely have to dive in and make sure you get the correct information.

Towing and Speed Regulations

Normally, towing speed is just going to be the posted speed limit. Sometimes it may have a different speed, and it would be specified otherwise for vehicles towing trailers. Definitely pay attention to that. I've seen that more out west.

Towing a trailer can significantly impact:

• Vehicle handling
• Braking distances
• Acceleration

One more thing to keep in mind—and this is something we rarely talk about—is the speed rating for trailer tires. Most trailer tires, as we’ve discussed in depth on other podcasts, are ST-rated (Special Trailer). For many years, they were rated at a max speed of 65 mph. Today, a lot are rated at 70–75 mph.

This sounds pretty fast, but if you're driving up and down Interstate 95 on the East Coast, traffic can be crazy. Just make sure you’re not grossly exceeding the speed the tire is rated for.

If you’re in mountainous conditions, take extra care when navigating steep inclines, declines, and winding roads. Some of this seems like common sense, but unfortunately, we see accidents continue to happen. It’s crucial to adjust your speed accordingly.

When going down steep mountains:

• Slow down
• Use the gears on the tow vehicle
• Let the engine and drivetrain do the majority of your braking

Don't hold the brake as you’re going down the mountain or rely solely on the trailer brakes. This can overheat the brakes and cause damage. That's why you see runaway truck ramps in places like North Carolina and Tennessee, particularly on Interstate 40. These ramps are designed for trucks that have cooked their brakes.

We don’t want that to happen with your tow vehicle. So, run it in a low gear. Your engine may rev high, but that’s better than damaging your brakes.

Do You Need to Stop at a Weigh Station?

This depends on the state and the trailer’s GVWR. For personal use, most of the time, you don’t have to stop. However, if the sign specifies vehicles with trailers or livestock (e.g., an agricultural stop), you should pull in. They may want to inspect the horses.

If you don’t stop, they can pursue you and bring you back.

That said, I’ve been hauling trailers my entire life and have never stopped at a weigh station. I’ve never had any issues. But if you’re required to stop and don’t, the officer may fine you. When in doubt, there’s no harm in stopping. Most weigh stations are busy with 18-wheelers and will likely just wave you through.

Practical Tips for Safe, Legal Towing

We’ve discussed topics like tow vehicles, GVWR, and more in other podcasts and articles. Here are a few highlights:

1. Match the Tow Vehicle to the Trailer:
   • Check the vehicle’s towing capacity.
   • Ensure the hitch and electrical connections are compatible.
2. Regular Maintenance:
   • Even if your state doesn’t require annual inspections, take your trailer in yearly to a qualified repair shop.
   • This could be an RV or flatbed trailer repair shop, as they deal with similar systems like brakes, tires, wheels, and axles.

We’ve seen cases where lack of maintenance led to costly repairs. For example, a client had a trailer sit unused for years, and the inside of the bearing froze to the shaft due to lack of use and exposure to the elements.

State-Specific Licensing and Exemptions

Check your DMV for licensing requirements. In most states:

• Trailers under 10,000 lbs GVWR require a standard license.
• Trailers over 10,001 lbs GVWR often require a Class A or Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

Some states, like Texas, offer exemptions for agricultural or livestock trailers, such as sales tax exemptions. Check with your local DMV for details.

Conclusion

Staying legal while towing a horse trailer involves understanding personal vs. commercial use, licensing requirements, and regular maintenance. Use resources like your DMV, state transportation department, and trailer dealerships for guidance.

Thanks for joining us on this episode of the Double D Trailers Podcast!