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West Virginia Trailer Laws & Trailer Regulations

West Virginia's laws and regulations for trailers are listed below:

 

West Virginia Trailer Brake Laws

Every trailer or semitrailer with a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. or more when operated on a highway must be equipped with brakes adequate to control the vehicle, and designed to be applied by the driver of the towing vehicle. The brakes must be connected in such a way that in the case of an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle, the brakes apply automatically.

In any combination of motor-driven vehicles, the means shall be provided for applying the rearmost trailer brakes, of any trailer equipped with brakes, in approximate synchronism with the brakes of the towing vehicle and developing the required braking effort on the rearmost wheels at the fastest rate; means must be provided for applying the braking effort on the rearmost trailer equipped with brakes; or both of the means provided if used in the alternate.

A motor vehicle or combination of motor-drawn vehicles must be capable of stopping at the following rates as if on a dry, smooth, level free road: (1) vehicles or combinations of vehicles with brakes on all wheels must be able to decelerate at a speed of 14 feet per second; and (2) vehicles or combinations of vehicles not having brakes on all wheels must be able to decelerate at a speed 10.7 feet per second.

 


 

West Virginia Trailer Dimension Laws

Total length: 65 feet (includes bumpers); trailer length: 40 feet; width: 96 inches (the width may extend to 102 inches on certain roads and excludes mirrors and safety devices); height: 13 feet 6 inches. 

 


 

West Virginia Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

A drawbar or connection must be of sufficient strength to pull the weight towed and must not exceed 15 feet from one vehicle to another except when transporting poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature that cannot be dismembered.

When a vehicle is towing another, and the connection consists of a chain, rope, or cable, a white flag or cloth not less than 12 inches square must be displayed.

 


 

West Virginia Trailer Lighting Laws

Tail and brake lights are required. License plate lights and reflectors are also required. Turn signals are required where trailer obscures towing vehicle.

 


 

West Virginia Trailer Mirror Laws

When a motor vehicle is constructed or loaded in such a way as to obstruct the driver’s view to the rear, mirrors must be equipped on the vehicle to give a view on the rear of at least 200 feet. 

 


 

West Virginia Trailer Speed Limit Laws

55 mph, 70 mph where posted. 

 


 

West Virginia Trailer Towing Laws

N/A. 

 


 

 

  

 

Disclaimer:
The United States Trailer Laws and Regulations by State by Trailers.com is not an inclusive list of laws, regulations and it should be used by reference only and not used for any other purpose. Trailers.com is not liable for incorrect or incomplete information. To report an error, incomplete or incorrect information, please send an email to statelaws@trailers.com