Illinois Trailer Laws - Horwitz Horwitz & Associates (2024)

FAQs

What are the trailer laws in Illinois? ›

Illinois Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

Trailers of 3,000 to 5,000 lbs. are required to have brakes on only 1 wheel on each side. Trailers over 5,000 lbs. must be equipped with brakes on all wheels and must have automatic breakaway application.

The weight of the trailer will determine the fine. If your trailer is 3,000 pounds or less, you may pay a fine of $200 or less. If your trailer weighs 5,000 pounds or less, the fine can range from $1,000 or less.

All trailers in Illinois require special license plates from the DMV. Prices for these plates (acquiring for the first time) range from $162 to $200. Drivers must also pay renewal fees each year.

Provides that if any portion of a motor vehicle hitch containing a ball mount and hitch receiver extends more than 4 inches beyond the motor vehicle's rear bumper, then the ball mount must be removed from the hitch receiver when the motor vehicle is not being used for towing.

Pick-a-Plate Online! A recreational vehicle is defined as "Every camping trailer, motor home, mini-motor home, travel trailer, truck camper or van camper used primarily for recreational purposes and not used commercially nor owned by a commercial business" (625 ILCS 5/1-169).

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2023 registration year, the Secretary of State, at the option of the applicant, shall issue permanent registration plates for a one-time fee of $118 to the owner of a trailer having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less.

C-truck license plates are issued to Second Division vehicles weighing 8,001-10,000 lbs.. C-truck license plates have blue characters on a white background with a red C.

You need to fill out the Illinois Vehicle Registration Application form and the Illinois Certified VIN Inspection form. You also need to gather the receipts for every major component you purchased for your trailer build, such as the frame, the axle, the wheels, the lights, etc.

Here's the deal: A TB trailer plate in Illinois, designed for trailers with a weight of over 3,000 pounds, will set you back a cool $154. Ouch. That's about the same price as a fancy artisanal pizza (without the emotional baggage of a pineapple debate). But wait!

What is a trailer identification plate? ›

Your trailer will have two or three identification plates which are typically attached to the right hand side of the drawbar. These plates contain important information including the trailers serial number (also known as VIN number) and its max gross weight.

Standard tax rate, title, and license fees charged on a new vehicle in Illinois in 2024 are as follows: Sales Tax: 7.25% (additional county taxes may also apply) Title Fee: $165. License and Registration Fee: $151.

§ 4-203. Removal of motor vehicles or other vehicles; towing or hauling away. (a) When a vehicle is abandoned, or left unattended, on a toll highway, interstate highway, or expressway for 2 hours or more, its removal by a towing service may be authorized by a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction.

All hitches shall be frame attached (no bumper hitches permitted).

None. The only violation would be if the tow ball obscures the license plate. It is not illegal to have the tow ball in place in any State as long as it doesn't block any portion of the license plate on the vehicle.

Truck-tractors towing double semi-trailers is a national standard. Semi-tractors towing triple semi-trailers is not. Triples are not allowed in Illinois.

Maximum Legal Weight Allowed

Two consecutive sets of tandems may carry 34,000 pounds each providing the overall distance between the first and last axles of such consecutive sets of tandems is 36 feet or more.

Any homemade trailer weighing 5,001 lbs. or more must also be inspected by the Illinois Department of Transportation prior to issuance of a Certificate of Title. e) Upon completion of a successful inspection, the Secretary of State Department of Police must attach a unique vehicle number to the homemade trailer.