A 4-minute lesson from the Florida course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Towing or hauling changes what your vehicle needs. Trailers need lights and reflectors, and heavier trailers need their own brakes. Loads must be secure, and anything sticking out must be marked so others can see it.
Trailer equipment
Trailer equipment
Trailer
Required
3,000 lbs or less
Two rear reflectors, one at each side
3,000 lbs or less
Brake light if the trailer/load hides the car's
Over 3,000 lbs
Two front and two rear clearance lamps
Over 3,000 lbs
Two side marker lamps; two reflectors
Over 3,000 lbs
Brakes the driver can work that stop it if it breaks away
Pole trailer over 3,000 lbs
2 side markers, 2 clearance lamps, 2 rear reflectors
Loads that could fall or blow onto the road, such as dirt, sand or gravel, need a close-fitting cover. Trucks carrying logs or pulpwood must use lock chains.
A load extending past the sides, or four feet or more past the rear, must be clearly marked. In daytime, mark its ends with red flags at least 18 inches square.
Logs, pulpwood, poles or posts extending more than four feet past the rear need one amber strobe-type lamp, visible from the rear and both sides, day or night.
You're hauling a 10-foot ladder that sticks 5 feet out the back of your pickup at noon. Tie a red flag at least 18 inches square to the end. If you're still driving after sunset, you need red lamps visible from 500 feet.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
A trailer weighing 3,000 pounds or less needs at least what rear equipment?
A full lighting system with clearance lamps
Nothing extra is required
Two rear reflectors, one at each side
Only a single reflector
Answer: Two rear reflectors, one at each side
A trailer weighing 3,000 pounds or less needs two rear reflectors, one at each side.