North Dakota Trailer Brake Laws 2026: Trailer-Type Rules
State towing-law summaries are educational only and are not legal advice. Verify your trailer type, actual weight or GVWR, and equipment requirements with official North Dakota sources before towing.
Quick answer: verified trailer-type rule
In North Dakota, the verified source set does not show a simple universal numeric trailer brake threshold. The state is modeled as a verified trailer-type rule. Breakaway equipment and safety chains may also be required depending on trailer type, weight, and coupling. Always verify with official North Dakota sources before towing.
| Requirement | State rule | Applies when | Source | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trailer brakes | verified trailer-type rule | trailer-specific rule | Verified | 2026-07-13 |
| Breakaway switch | North Dakota Century Code 39-21-32 requires breakaway-automatic application when trailer brakes are used, but the same subsection allows safety chains or brakes for trailers over 25 mph; verify equipment choice and trailer type. | Trailer type and weight may matter | Verified | 2026-07-13 |
| Safety chains | Every trailer or semitrailer operated over 25 mph must be equipped with safety chains or brakes adequate to control, stop, and hold the vehicle. | Conventional trailer couplings | Verified | 2026-07-13 |
| Speed / lane rule | North Dakota has a trailer equipment rule tied to operation over 25 mph, rather than a simple recreational-trailer pound threshold. | Posted roads and vehicle combinations | Verified | 2026-07-13 |
| Double towing | Needs separate verification with North Dakota combination and length rules before towing multiple trailers. | Multiple-trailer combinations | Verified | 2026-07-13 |
Official source links
North Dakota Century Code Chapter 39-21 is verified for trailer brake/safety-chain language. Section 39-21-32 requires every trailer or semitrailer operated over 25 mph to have safety chains or brakes adequate to control, stop, and hold the trailer, with breakaway-automatic application language when brakes are used. The official source does not provide a simple universal weight threshold.
Compliance checklist
- Verify trailer GVWR and loaded weight before the trip.
- Check whether brakes are required under the verified trailer-type rule.
- Inspect brake controller, seven-way connector, and trailer brake function.
- Confirm breakaway battery, switch, cable routing, and pin condition.
- Use properly rated safety chains and attachment points.
- Check posted speed limits, lane rules, and trailer tire speed rating.
Related towing tools
North Dakota towing law FAQ
Are trailer brakes required in North Dakota?
North Dakota does not publish a simple universal numeric trailer brake threshold in the verified source set used here. The rule is handled as a verified trailer-type rule, so trailer type, stopping performance, equipment type, speed, or route condition may decide the answer.
What weight requires trailer brakes in North Dakota?
North Dakota is not modeled as a simple pound-threshold state. Use the official source links because this page verifies a verified trailer-type rule instead of a universal weight cutoff.
Is a breakaway switch required in North Dakota?
North Dakota Century Code 39-21-32 requires breakaway-automatic application when trailer brakes are used, but the same subsection allows safety chains or brakes for trailers over 25 mph; verify equipment choice and trailer type.
Are safety chains required in North Dakota?
Every trailer or semitrailer operated over 25 mph must be equipped with safety chains or brakes adequate to control, stop, and hold the vehicle.
Can I tow two trailers in North Dakota?
Needs separate verification with North Dakota combination and length rules before towing multiple trailers.
What is the safest speed when towing in North Dakota?
North Dakota has a trailer equipment rule tied to operation over 25 mph, rather than a simple recreational-trailer pound threshold. Even where no special towing speed is verified, reduce speed for trailer tire ratings, grades, wind, and stopping distance.
Do RVs and travel trailers follow the same rules in North Dakota?
Many brake rules apply by trailer type and weight, but RV, travel trailer, boat trailer, and utility trailer definitions can differ. Verify your exact trailer type with official state sources.
Where can I verify North Dakota towing laws?
Use the official source links on this page first. Prefer state DOT, DMV, legislature, highway patrol, or public-safety pages over summaries from private websites.