#TRAILER BREAKAWAY CABLE LAWS REGISTRATION#

A pair of tail lights - may also be used to delineate the number plate.

Number plate light - may be combined with the taillights.

Required trailer lighting, at the rear of the trailer.Lights on trailers must operate in unison with those of the towing vehicle - ie the indicator, brake, tail and reversing lights, where fitted, must go on when those of the towing vehicle goes on: Rear projection Trailer lighting and wiring no longer than the length of the load in front of the axle, or axle group.įigure 3.Measured from the centre of the trailer axle, or axle group, a load must be: Front and rear projection limits Rear projection At night, the warning signal must be a red light that can be seen for 200 metres.įigure 2. In the daytime, the warning signal must be a brightly coloured flag measuring at least 300mm x 300mm. The rear of a load on a vehicle must carry a warning signal if the load projects more than 1.2 metres or cannot be easily seen (refer to Figure 2). The overall length of the towing vehicle and trailer must not be more than 19.0 metres. Side projection limits Length of vehicle and trailer Side projectionĪ load must not project more than 150 mm over the sides of the trailer, and must not be more than 2.5 metres in total width (refer to Figure 1).įigure 1. There are limits to how far loads can project from the back and sides of a trailer. Trailer load projections and dimension limits Where the GTM exceeds 2 tonnes the braking system must be fitted with a breakaway system that causes the brakes to be applied if the trailer becomes disconnected from the towing vehicle.For trailers built to UN ECE 13 (acceptable standard under ADR38/05), O2 category (GTM not exceeding 3.5 tonnes) override or over-run brakes are acceptable if fitted with a breakaway system and the trailer is a centre axle trailer.For trailers built to VSB1 and Australian Design Rules (ADRs), override or over-run brakes are acceptable up to a GTM of 2 tonnes.Trailers must be fitted with brakes if the GTM exceeds 750 kg.If a trailer has no manufacturer’s specifications, it is still the owner’s responsibility to make sure the trailer must be safe and fit for purpose. For a trailer not fitted with brakes, the mass of the trailer must not exceed the unloaded mass of the towing vehicle or a gross trailer mass (GTM) of 750 kg, whichever is the lesser.For a trailer fitted with override or over-run brakes, the mass of the trailer must not exceed the unloaded mass of the towing vehicle.For a trailer fitted with brakes directly operated by the driver, the mass of the trailer must not exceed 1.5 times the unloaded mass of the towing vehicle.These vary according to the trailer’s braking system:

#TRAILER BREAKAWAY CABLE LAWS REGISTRATION#

If the motor vehicle manufacturer has not specified a maximum towing mass and a GCM is not specified on the vehicle’s registration certificate, the rules below apply. They may also set requirements when towing, such as maximum speed and tow ball vertical loading. Note: The manufacturer of the towing vehicle may specify two different towing limits or the towing vehicle, depending on whether the trailer is fitted with brakes or not. The towing mass specified by the vehicle manufacturer, or the gross combination mass (GCM) specified on the vehicle’s registration certificate.The rated capacity of both the tow bar and tow coupling.The loaded mass of a trailer or caravan must not exceed: The maximum mass that can be towed by a vehicle is dependent upon a number of criteria. Detailed information is contained in the Road Traffic Act and Regulations, 1961 and Vehicle Standards Bulletin (VSB) 1. The following information covers the key requirements relating to the towing of trailers. Towing trailers with a loadīefore towing a trailer, make sure that all safety measures and towing regulations have been met. These regulations ensure that trailers are used effectively and safely, with minimised potential to harm individuals and other road users. There are a number of regulations that relate to how trailers are loaded and towed by light vehicles - gross vehicle mass (GVM) 4.5 tonnes or less.

Trailer breakaway cable laws