Dingy towing laws are getting stricter every year. The following is a detailed snapshot of the towing laws in the US and Canada. Vehicles above the rated weights must have supplemental braking systems on board to be legal.

North American Weight Limits for Towing
without Supplemental Brakes
Source: American Automobile Association
Digest of Motor Laws

Key 'A' — Must stop within a specified distance 'B' — Not stated or no requirement 'C' — Supplemental brakes always required Federal Regulations Title 49 (49 CFR 571) of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (10-1-08 Edition) defines a 'trailer' as follows: "'Trailer' means a motor vehicle with or without motive power, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by another motor vehicle.'

* updated Oregon statute verified 11/10 from Oregon DOT

WEIGHT LIMIT BY POUNDS OR OTHER RESTRICTION (SEE 'KEY')

UNITED STATES

CANADA

Alabama	3,000	Kentucky	‘A’	North Dakota	‘C’	Alberta	2,000
Alaska	5,000	Louisiana	3,000	Ohio	2,000	British Columbia	4,400
Arizona	3,000	Maine	3,000	Oklahoma	3,000	Manitoba	'A'
Arkansas	3,000	Maryland	3,000	Oregon*	‘A’	New Brunswick	3,000
California	1,500	Massachusetts	10,000	Pennsylvania	3,000	Newfoundland	‘A’
Colorado	3,000	Michigan	3,000	Rhode Island	4,000	Northwest Territories	'C'
Connecticut	3,000	Minnesota	3,000	South Carolina	3,000	Nova Scotia	4,000
Delaware	4,000	Mississippi	2,000	South Dakota	3,000	Ontario	3,000
D.C	3,000	Missouri	‘B’	Tennessee	3,000	Prince Edward Island	3,300
Florida	3,000	Montana	3,000	Texas	4,500	Quebec	2,860
Georgia	3,000	Nebraska	3,000	Utah	‘A’	Saskatchewan	3,000
Hawaii	3,000	Nevada	1,500	Vermont	3,000	Yukon Territory	2,000
Idaho	1,500	New Hampshire	‘A’	Virginia	3,000
Illinois	3,000	New Jersey	‘C’	Washington	3,000
Indiana	3,000	New Mexico	3,000	West Virginia	3,000
Iowa	3,000	New York	1,000	Wisconsin	3,000
Kansas	'A'	North Carolina	4,000	Wyoming	'A'

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