Clarification of Hitch Cargo Carrier Laws
Hitch cargo carriers are a popular way to transport bulk loads of belongings, equipment, or haul debris away from the site of a job. In some cases, you may find a hitch cargo carrier necessary to move heavy farm equipment or harvest. Hitch cargo carriers may be your only alternative for transporting essential equipment if you don’t have a trailer and don’t need one enough to justify the additional cost. However, these relatively low-cost carriers still come with the responsibility of knowing the laws and regulations that go along with using hitch-mounted cargo carriers.
Although the manufacturers set reasonable guidelines for the appropriate amount of cargo to carry in the hitch cargo carrier, you are ultimately responsible for what you choose to transport. As such, it’s up to you to determine whether your use is truly lawful. You can minimize liability by ensuring you understand regulations for hitch cargo carrier use in your state.
Laws and Regulations Can Vary By State
States can regulate hitch-mounted cargo carriers differently, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the laws where you reside and/or where you plan to travel with your hitch cargo carrier. For example , several states impose a weight limit on hitch-mounted cargo carriers. Some states strictly prohibit the transport of certain items (e.g. chemicals or untreated wood). Depending on where you travel within the state, however, some restrictions don’t apply. In addition, there can be local restrictions in addition to such statewide restrictions. These local regulations can vary widely in terms of requirements, such as allowable weight limits or the specific materials that can be transported. You may even find that it’s illegal to mount a hitch cargo carrier to your vehicle in certain areas.
To avoid trouble, be sure you check for both state- and local-level regulations before hitting the road with your hitch cargo carrier. Depending on where you are, the law may require, for example, a work permit or individual who is licensed to perform such transport. The penalties for any violations can run the gamut from fines to jail time. Moreover, if authorities stop you and your hitch cargo carrier is filled with illegal items, they can seize your cargo. For this reason, it pays to do a little research in advance.
State by State Summary of Hitch Carrier Laws
Despite this general uniformity, there are still some notable state-specific laws, including how hitch carriers are defined, their maximum size and weight, the visibility of loads, and whether you need a truck to drive with one.
Alabama: Section 32-9-1 states that no load may extend more than four feet beyond the vehicles with which it is being carried. However, subsection (3) adds that this section does not apply to "any single vehicle transporting a house trailer."
Alaska: Section 28.35.220 says that "General Restrictions" on the size of loads do not apply when the load is carried on an over-width or over-length vehicle authorized to carry an oversized load. It is worth noting that this allowance for oversized loads does not apply to over-width trucks. Still, this law does make it clear that any allowable over-length load (12 feet or longer) still cannot extend more than four feet back from the truck carrying it. This will usually cover the area of a door latch and a small portion of the frame of the hitch.
Arizona: The state has no law regarding hitch cargo carriers (any cargo carriers for that matter) other than it must meet the federal standards set in Section 393.70 of this title for rear-end protection, lights and reflectors. However, some cities and counties in Arizona may have additional requirements. Check with your local laws so you can remain compliant.
Arkansas: Section 27-37-212 says that "It is unlawful for any person to operate a passenger vehicle transporting property with any load extending more than four feet beyond the rear of the vehicle."
California: California has no law that mentions hitch carrier requirements. The California Department of Motor Vehicles only mentions hitch carriers in its guidelines for hauling trailers over 10,000 pounds. While it doesn’t say anything about cars, it suggests that hitch carriers that use a two-inch channel ball mount that slides into a two-inch class V hitch compatibility are legal.
Colorado: Colorado has no law regarding hitch carriers. There is also no exception for oversized loads.
Connecticut: Connecticut requires that any load longer than six feet be flagged with a red flag during daytime hours or with white lights at night. The law does not mention hitch carriers specifically, but still might apply to them.
Key Considerations and Tips for Compliance
When it comes to using a hitch cargo carrier, staying abreast of changes in laws and adapting to each state’s guidelines are of the utmost importance. Fortunately, there are some practical steps that can be taken to ensure full compliance across the board. Here are a few tips. Conduct regular inspections The hitch cargo carrier should be inspected for proper fit and function frequently, especially before long trips. If there is any sign of wear-and-tear, it may be a good idea to take the gear to a trusted mechanic. In this case, the investment pays off in terms of safety and peace-of-mind for the driver and other motorists on the road. Secure all loads One of the best ways to face potential legal challenges related to hitch cargo carriers is to secure all loads. You’re required to do this in order to prevent your cargo from spilling off the carrier, but you should also be prepared to answer questions if a police officer gives your load a second look. Stay informed Only the most up-to-date drivers know all the current regulations. Make it a point to subscribe to updates from your state’s Department of Transportation, or get your state representative from Truck Drivers USA to send you the latest information about new laws or changes to old ones that might affect you. Stay within weight limits Your vehicle’s owner manual should contain information about weight limits. You can usually figure out which of your trailers will work best with your car or truck by consulting this document. Adjust driving style Longer vehicles are harder to maneuver than short ones, so adjust your driving accordingly. It should not deter you from making turns. Plan ahead to adjust the speed at which you approach turns so that you don’t have any problems once you reach the turn’s apex. Adjust driving style again How you drive and how you load your vehicle or trailer matters. For example, box trailers must have their loads centered. Dead weight, such as a full-sized spare tire, is best packed near the back. The truck should always be loaded from front to back rather than the other way around, which can impair steering. Keep the cargo secured throughout your journey to avoid road trouble. Massachusetts’ cargo law is fairly straightforward: All of your cargo must be contained behind a sturdy net or tarpaulin. Use a rope or chain and two binders to tie down larger objects. Attach a placard notifying other drivers of your cargo and its dimensions. Your cargo should never extend more than three feet beyond your loading rack or trailer. No matter where you go, it’s important to be familiar with your state’s laws regarding hitch carriers. Take the time to learn about your options, your responsibilities and the most recent developments in the law.
Fines and Penalties in Case of Non-Compliance
Fines and Penalties for Non-Compliance with Hitch Cargo Carrier Laws by State
The Level of Penalties for Hitch Cargo Carrier Infractions
While the primary concern in relation to hitch cargo carriers is safety, you should also be aware that you could be facing fines and possible penalties if you do not stay on the right side of the law. Common violations that lead to fines include Loading Over the Carrier’s Weight Capacity. This means that if you load the carrier and it ends up being heavier than its specified weight capacity, you could be in serious trouble.
Minor Infractions Result in Minor Fines
The amount of the fine or any other penalty will vary from state to state, but it could be a relatively minor fine of under $100. There are other situations that could arise that would see you paying a much heftier price. These can fall into the category of gross vehicular loads, which is typically anything that exceeds the legal width of the vehicle. These fines could be into the hundreds of dollars or even more, depending on how overweight the load is.
Any Violation of Road Law Permits Hefty Fines
Road law violations lead to hefty fines of anywhere between $100 and $200 per infraction . For example, if you end up driving on a freeway when the load is too high for clearance, you could mean a fine of $100. The next time you try to drive on the freeway, the clearance is still too high. Another $100. If you were to get caught a third time, it would be a $200 fine, for a total of $300 in fines alone. This doesn’t include any damages to the cargo carrier, other vehicles, or the resulting accident.
Driving Without Necessary Endorsements
Not all states require licenses to drive with hitch cargo carriers. However, many do require drivers to have a special endorsement on their license. In some cases, insurance coverage is also required to be able to drive with the hitch carrier attached to the vehicle. A violation for driving without the endorsement could lead to fines of $1,000 or more, so it’s best to avoid this scenario altogether.
Make Sure You Are Legal All Around
Be sure to become familiar with the hitch carrier laws where you live and where you travel most often. Follow the laws, so that you don’t end up paying the price for a costly violation.
Recommended Practices for the Safe Operation and Use of Hitch Cargo Carriers
Regardless of the state, there are certain best-practice guidelines for using a hitch cargo carrier safely. The following tips are designed to prevent accidents and damage to your vehicle and your cargo, thereby avoiding the necessity to pay fines and ensuring compliance with state laws. Make sure your hitch carrier is compatible with your car, truck, or SUV. Letting your mechanic know where you intend to install the hitch will help him determine what hitch and hitch carrier your car can handle. Try only to use hitch carriers that your owner’s manual recommends for your vehicle type and that are also recommended by the hitch carrier manufacturer. Make sure the hitch carrier is properly attached to the hitch to prevent it from falling off the hitch while you are driving. Only use hitch carriers that feature safety straps, secondary hitch pins, or other safety features to protect the cargo from falling off in case the hitch pin assembly or the hitch carrier itself breaks. Make sure all of your cargo is properly secured to the hitch passenger carrier to prevent shifting while you are driving. Make sure to use safety straps to secure the cargo to the hitch carrier and tie-down straps to secure the cargo to the hitch carrier. If you plan to transport fragile items, make sure to secure the cargo with blankets, bungee cords, rope, or plastic sheets so that the cargo stays covered and protected from rain, snow, ice, dirt, and debris. Make sure that you do not exceed the weight capacity of the hitch cargo carrier, the weight capacity of your hitch, and the maximum gross trailer weight rating (GTWR). In addition, you should check the GCVW and the GVW of your vehicle to ensure that you do not exceed the weight limits. Make sure that the amount of tongue weight is within limits. Most hitches have a tongue weight capacity rated at 10 percent to 15 percent of the total trailer weight. Ensure that your trailer’s weight is properly distributed to avoid excessive amounts of weight on the hitch, which could potentially cause the tongue portion of the hitch and the crossmember to break, resulting in the hitch cargo carrier falling off the vehicle or the cargo being lost. Be advised that the amount of max tongue weight with a weight-carrying hitch is different than with a weight-distributing hitch. The tongue weight of the fully loaded trailer must not exceed a weight-carrying hitch’s maximum tongue weight rating, which is typically around 2,000 pounds. Severe under loading may cause your car to sway.
Legal Guidance and Point of Contact
Regulations on hitch cargo carriers vary greatly from state to state. For specific legal information, readers should contact their state’s departments of motor vehicles and transportation. These departments can provide regulations that apply to hitch cargo carriers specifically for passenger vehicles, vans and SUVs.
Many states have an online presence. Several make their traffic and transportation laws available for download. Generally , the relevant state agency that governs roadways will also be the one responsible for administering rules on hitch cargo carriers.
Readers should also consider turning to online legal resources for additional guidance. There are many guides readily accessible for how to interpret various traffic laws, including regulations governing hitch cargo carriers. Some might even be specific to the state in question. Online legal resources may also include summary analyses of traffic violations, penalties and fines along with other notices so drivers can stay on the right side of the law.