Mark Anderson | August 26, 2026 | Texas Law
Texas trailer laws regulate registration, titling, brakes, safety chains, size, and other requirements for trailers used on public roads. The rules that apply depend largely on the trailer’s weight, size, and use.
Following these requirements helps keep trailers safely attached and controlled. When a violation contributes to a crash, it can also become important evidence in a Texas personal injury claim.
Do Trailers Have to Be Registered and Titled in Texas?
Most non-farm trailers operated on Texas public highways must be registered. Titling requirements generally depend on the trailer’s gross weight.
According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, manufactured trailers with a gross weight over 4,000 pounds must generally be titled. Titling is optional for manufactured trailers weighing 4,000 pounds or less.
Different requirements can apply to farm, homemade, and assembled trailers.
What Are the Texas Brake Requirements for Trailers?
Texas generally requires trailers weighing more than 4,500 pounds to have brakes. However, an exception applies to certain trailers weighing 15,000 pounds or less when operated at speeds of 30 mph or less.
Texas Transportation Code § 547.401 establishes brake requirements for vehicles and trailers. When brakes are required, they must be maintained in working condition.
Defective or poorly maintained trailer brakes can make it much harder for a driver to stop safely, especially with a heavy load.
Are Safety Chains Required for Trailers in Texas?
Texas generally requires safety chains when a passenger car or light truck tows a trailer. Safety chains create a secondary connection if the primary hitch or coupling fails.
Under Texas Transportation Code § 545.410, the chains must be strong enough to maintain the connection between the vehicles. The law provides exceptions for certain vehicles, including some agricultural trailers.
Drivers should also inspect hitches, couplings, and chains before towing.
How Large Can a Trailer Be in Texas?
Texas limits the dimensions of trailers and vehicle combinations traveling on public highways without an oversize permit. The specific restrictions depend on the type of trailer and towing vehicle.
General limits include:
- A maximum width of 8 feet, 6 inches for most vehicles
- A maximum height of 14 feet
- A maximum length of 65 feet for certain two-vehicle combinations
- A maximum semitrailer length of 59 feet in a truck-tractor and semitrailer combination
Oversize trailers or loads may require a permit from TxDMV.
Can Trailer Law Violations Affect a Texas Injury Claim?
Yes. A trailer law violation can provide important evidence when determining why a truck accident happened and who was responsible.
Examples of dangerous conduct can include:
- Failing to use required safety chains
- Improperly securing a trailer
- Operating with defective brakes
- Overloading a trailer
- Failing to maintain towing equipment
- Improperly securing cargo
Liability may fall on a driver, trailer owner, trucking company, maintenance provider, or another responsible party.
Anderson Injury Lawyers represents people injured in Texas vehicle and trailer accidents. We have recovered over $100,000,000 for injured clients. Our attorneys can investigate whether a trailer safety violation contributed to a collision and identify the parties responsible.
How Long Do I Have to File a Trailer Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas generally gives accident victims two years from the date of an injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 establishes this two-year statute of limitations. Exceptions can affect the deadline, so it is important to determine the applicable filing period promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Every Trailer Need a Title in Texas?
No. Manufactured trailers weighing more than 4,000 pounds generally require a title, while titling is optional at 4,000 pounds or less.
Do Trailers Need Brakes in Texas?
Trailers weighing more than 4,500 pounds generally require brakes, subject to exceptions under Texas law.
Are Safety Chains Required in Texas?
Generally, yes. Passenger cars and light trucks towing trailers typically must use safety chains, although certain exceptions apply.
Can I Recover Compensation After a Trailer Accident?
Yes, if another party caused the accident through negligence. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Contact a Texas Personal Injury Lawyer at Anderson Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Trailer laws are designed to reduce the risk of dangerous equipment failures and towing accidents. When someone ignores these requirements and causes a crash, injured victims may have legal options.
Contact Anderson Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation with a Texas personal injury lawyer to discuss your accident and potential claim.
We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, Travis County, and throughout Texas.
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
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About the Author
Mark A. Anderson is the founder of Anderson Injury Lawyers and a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer—an honor held by only a small percentage of Texas attorneys. He earned his law degree from Baylor University School of Law and has spent more than 20 years helping injury victims across Dallas, Fort Worth and Austin. Mark handles cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, product liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, and more. Click here to view some of the successful case results Mark has achieved for his clients.
Location: Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin, Texas
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