Rhode Island Trailer Laws & Trailer Regulations

Rhode Island's laws and regulations for trailers are listed below:

Rhode Island Trailer Brake Laws

Every trailer with a gross weight of 4,000 lbs. or more must have brakes that are adequate to slow, stop, and hold the vehicle. Brakes must be designed so they can be applied from the driver of the towing vehicle’s normal operating position and that they will be automatically applied in the case of an accidental breakaway. New trailers must have service brakes on all wheels.

Every trailer must have parking brakes adequate to hold the vehicle on any grade it is operated, under all conditions of loading and on a surface free from snow, ice, or loose material.

Rhode Island Trailer Dimension Laws

Total length: 60 feet; trailer length: not specified; width: 102 inches; height: 13 feet 6 inches. 

Rhode Island Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

When 1 vehicle is towing another, the drawbar or other connection must be of sufficient strength to pull the weight towed and must not exceed 15 feet in its span from one vehicle to the other. 

Rhode Island Trailer Lighting Laws

Every trailer or vehicle being drawn at the end of a train of vehicles must have at least 1 tail lamp mounted on the rear which emits a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear.

Rhode Island Trailer Mirror Laws

Every vehicle that is so loaded that it obstructs the driver’s view to the rear, must have a mirror located for the driver so that it reflects a view of the highway for a list 200 feet to the rear. 

Rhode Island Trailer Speed Limit Laws

Same as for passenger cars/trucks.

Rhode Island Trailer Towing Laws

A tow truck or any vehicle towing another, except when designed to be in combination, when on any public highway divided into multiple lanes for travel in the same direction, may travel only in the right lane of a 2-lane highway, or the 2 right lanes of a 3- or more lane highway.