The Requirements for Towing a Boat Behind a Travel Trailer in Wisconsin
- Boating is a great outdoor activityboat image by jim from Fotolia.com
Boating is a popular activity in Wisconsin, and a great way to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. Unfortunately, boats cannot always be stored in the body of water in which they will be used. A proper understanding of safe boat towing on a trailer is an essential part of the boating experience. - In Wisconsin, a trailer may not be greater than 40 feet in length, or 8 feet 6 inches in width; the combined length of the towing vehicle and the trailer (or trailers) cannot be greater than 65 feet and the height of the boat on the trailer may not exceed 13 feet and 6 inches. Finally, if the boat weight exceeds 3,000 pounds the trailer must be equipped with an independent braking system, and no towing vehicle may travel more than 65 mph.
- Wisconsin ensures safe boat trailering by requiring the use of various secondary safety equipment such as safety chains, tie downs and reflectors. Trailers must also be equipped with their own brake lights, taillights and signal lights as well as clearance lights and a properly lighted license plate area.
- Boat trailering always places extra demands on the towing vehicle, and so should only be carried out after consulting your vehicle's owner's manual. Finally, towing a trailer behind a vehicle can be very challenging -- a challenge that is doubled when towing two trailers -- so only experienced drivers should trailer boats or any other materials. But when carried out carefully, boat trailering can be the first step to enjoying Wisconsin's natural beauty.
