Mississippi Trailer Brake Laws 2026: Required Over 2,000 lb
Mississippi Code 63-7-51 source review verifies the brake and automatic breakaway trigger for trailers carrying over one ton. The accessible code copy is paired with Mississippi DOT as the state transportation authority link.
Quick answer: 2,000 lb gross weight
In Mississippi, trailer brakes are currently listed at 2,000 lb (gross weight). Mississippi measures gross weight, so weigh the trailer as you actually tow it.
| Requirement | State rule | Applies when | Source | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trailer brakes | 2,000 lb | gross weight | Verified | 2026-07-13 |
| Breakaway switch | Every trailer carrying over one ton must have brakes applied by the towing vehicle's driver from the cab, designed and connected so the brakes apply automatically in case of an accidental breakaway. The trigger is the load carried, not GVWR. | Trailer type and weight may matter | Miss. Code Ann. 63-7-51(3) (text via Mississippi Legislature bill document) | 2026-07-13 |
| Safety chains | Every trailer towed faster than 20 mph must be coupled by a safety chain, cables or equivalent devices in addition to the regular hitch, of sufficient strength to control the trailer if the hitch fails, with slack limited to what turning requires. ICC-compliant fifth-wheel semitrailers and pole, pipe and piling dollies are exempt. | Conventional trailer couplings | Miss. Code Ann. 63-5-25(1) (text via Mississippi Legislature bill document) | 2026-07-13 |
| Speed / lane rule | No towing-specific speed limit; follow posted limits. | Posted roads and vehicle combinations | Miss. Code Ann. 63-3-501 (text via Mississippi Legislature bill document) | 2026-07-13 |
| Double towing | Needs verification with Mississippi code. | Multiple-trailer combinations | Verified | 2026-07-13 |
Official source links
Mississippi Code 63-7-51 source review verifies the brake and automatic breakaway trigger for trailers carrying over one ton. The accessible code copy is paired with Mississippi DOT as the state transportation authority link.
How the 2,000 lb threshold applies to three trailers
Mississippi measures gross weight, so the weight of the trailer as loaded is what counts.
| Example trailer | Weight checked | Against 2,000 lb |
|---|---|---|
| Small utility trailer | 1,100 lb | Under the Mississippi threshold by 900 lb |
| Loaded just under the line | 1,900 lb | Inside the Mississippi limit, but one heavy load away from crossing it |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 3,200 lb | Over the Mississippi threshold by 1,200 lb â brakes required |
Mississippi trailer equipment rules
Safety chains
RequiredEvery trailer towed faster than 20 mph must be coupled by a safety chain, cables or equivalent devices in addition to the regular hitch, of sufficient strength to control the trailer if the hitch fails, with slack limited to what turning requires. ICC-compliant fifth-wheel semitrailers and pole, pipe and piling dollies are exempt.
Miss. Code Ann. 63-5-25(1) (text via Mississippi Legislature bill document) âBreakaway system
RequiredEvery trailer carrying over one ton must have brakes applied by the towing vehicle's driver from the cab, designed and connected so the brakes apply automatically in case of an accidental breakaway. The trigger is the load carried, not GVWR.
Miss. Code Ann. 63-7-51(3) (text via Mississippi Legislature bill document) âSpeed limit when towing
No towing-specific speed limit; follow posted limits.
Miss. Code Ann. 63-3-501 (text via Mississippi Legislature bill document) âRead against the linked sources on . Statutes change and enforcement varies by trailer type â confirm before you tow.
Towing more than one trailer in Mississippi
Needs verification with Mississippi code.
Speed and lane rules when towing in Mississippi
Needs verification; follow posted limits.
How Mississippi compares with neighbouring states
None of the 4 states bordering Mississippi set a stricter numeric brake threshold in this dataset, but bases and equipment rules still differ â check each state page before a trip.
| Bordering state | Brake threshold | Compared with Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3,000 lb gross weight | 1,000 lb more permissive |
| Arkansas | 3,000 lb gross weight | 1,000 lb more permissive |
| Louisiana | 3,000 lb gross weight | 1,000 lb more permissive |
| Tennessee | 3,000 lb gross weight | 1,000 lb more permissive |
Planning a multi-state trip? The route brake law checker compares every state on a route at once.
Related towing tools
Mississippi towing law FAQ
Are trailer brakes required in Mississippi?
Mississippi currently lists a trailer brake threshold at 2,000 lb gross weight. Always verify the official state source before towing.
What weight requires trailer brakes in Mississippi?
The current data lists 2,000 lb gross weight as the brake threshold.
Is a breakaway switch required in Mississippi?
Every trailer carrying over one ton must have brakes applied by the towing vehicle's driver from the cab, designed and connected so the brakes apply automatically in case of an accidental breakaway. The trigger is the load carried, not GVWR. (Miss. Code Ann. 63-7-51(3) (text via Mississippi Legislature bill document))
Are safety chains required in Mississippi?
Every trailer towed faster than 20 mph must be coupled by a safety chain, cables or equivalent devices in addition to the regular hitch, of sufficient strength to control the trailer if the hitch fails, with slack limited to what turning requires. ICC-compliant fifth-wheel semitrailers and pole, pipe and piling dollies are exempt. (Miss. Code Ann. 63-5-25(1) (text via Mississippi Legislature bill document))
Can I tow two trailers in Mississippi?
Needs verification with Mississippi code.
Is there a towing speed limit in Mississippi?
No towing-specific speed limit; follow posted limits. (Miss. Code Ann. 63-3-501 (text via Mississippi Legislature bill document))
Does Mississippi measure trailer weight as GVWR or actual weight?
Mississippi uses gross weight, so weigh the trailer as you actually tow it rather than reading the data plate.
Where can I verify Mississippi towing laws?
Start with the 2 official sources linked on this page, beginning with Miss. Code Ann. 63-7-51 brake equipment (Mississippi Legislature bill text). Prefer state DOT, DMV, legislature, or public-safety pages over summaries from private websites. This page was last checked on 2026-07-13.