what are the driving regulations when towing a jet ski trailer in new York?

July 18, 2010 by admin · 2 Comments
Filed under: Safety 
ski
Clifton asked:


i just got a jet ski and want to know where and where not to drive with a trailer
and as far as driving it on parkways and or freeways?

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2 Responses to “what are the driving regulations when towing a jet ski trailer in new York?”
  1. UCANTCME says:
    July 20, 2010 at 8:08 am

    This is all that I could find so I hope it helps….

    Trailers Defined

    Subchapter E, Section 180.1 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations defines a semitrailer and trailer for all towed vehicles driven in the state. A semitrailer consist of any trailer whose front end rests on the body or chassis of the towing vehicle when being towed (such as the box container pulled by a truck). A trailer consists of any vehicle pulled or drawn forward by a motor vehicle (such as a car being towed by another car), or a vehicle designed for non-highway use that must be occasionally towed by a car (such as a camper or boat).

    Equipment

    According to New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 375, Section C (Equipment), every vehicle towing a trailer and the unit being towed must be equipped with working brakes and lights. Also, New York requires that a towed trailer must be connected so that while driving, the wheels of trailer cannot swing out of the towing vehicle’s path by more than six inches. Also, the towed trailer must display a license plate (and lights to illuminate it) as well as proper brake lights, turn signal lights and rear lights. For a full list of current requirements and specifications for these lights, please see Reference 4.

    Towing Regulations

    Like every other state, New York specifically regulates the dimensions of what a driver can tow, how fast a car can go while towing, etc. In New York, a towed unit (whether boat, camper, etc) cannot exceed 13.5′ height, 8.5′ width, the two vehicles cannot exceed a combined length of 65 feet and the trailer cannot exceed a length of 48 feet. In addition to the whatever mechanism holds the trailer in place, safety chains must also connect the trailer to the towing vehicle. The trailer’s weight cannot exceed 22,400 lbs, and a driver must possess a commercial towing license (CDL-C) in order to tow a trailer weighing in excess of 10,000 lbs. Also, New York prohibits the practice of “Triple-towing,” that is, the connecting of more than one trailed unit to a motor vehicle.

    Negligence

    Section 388 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law holds a driver of a towed vehicle or trailer liable and responsible for any deaths or injuries caused by negligence while towing.

    I also stumbled on this as well…

    The only safe rule is that Trailers (even small ones) are NOT permitted on parkways. UCANTCME

  2. olddog0558 says:
    July 23, 2010 at 10:24 am

    I don’t know all the rules, but I’m pretty sure that on a three lane highway trailers are not allowed in the extreme left lane, and no trailers are allowed on any of the parkways.

    Other than that, just pay attention to any signs posted. olddog0558

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