Illinois Trailer Laws & Trailer Regulations

Illinois's laws and regulations for trailers are listed below:

Illinois Trailer Brake Laws

Every trailer or semitrailer of a gross weight of over 3,000 lbs. must be equipped with brakes when operated upon a highway. Such brakes must be so designed and connected that in case of an accidental breakaway of a towed vehicle over 5,000 lbs., the brakes are automatically applied. 

Illinois Trailer Dimension Laws

Total length: 60 feet (excludes safety and energy conservation devices); trailer length: 42 feet (includes bumpers); width: 102 inches; height: 13 feet 6 inches. 

Illinois Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

Safety chains are required in addition to regular coupling device (drawbar). Trailers of 3,000 to 5,000 lbs. are required to have brakes on only 1 wheel on each side. Trailers over 5,000 lbs. must be equipped with brakes on all wheels and must have automatic breakaway application. 

Illinois Trailer Lighting Laws

Every trailer and semitrailer shall be equipped with an electric turn signal device which indicates the intention of the driver to turn to the right or to the left in the form of flashing red or amber lights located at the rear of the vehicle on the side toward which the turn is to be made, and mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable.

Every trailer and semitrailer having a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. or less including the weight of the trailer and maximum load, shall be equipped with 2 red reflectors located on the rear of the body of such trailer, not more than 12 inches from the lower left-hand and lower right-hand corners, and which will be visible when hit by headlight beams 300 feet away at night.

Illinois Trailer Mirror Laws

Mirrors must give a view of 200 feet to rear. 

Illinois Trailer Speed Limit Laws

As posted.

Illinois Trailer Towing Laws

N/A. 

Other Illinois Trailer Laws

No person or persons shall occupy a trailer, semitrailer, farm wagon, or any other vehicle while it is being towed upon a public highway.