State regulations regarding towing and vehicle lengths vary. Federal transportation requirements apply to commercial vehicles and a state simply incorporates them into its legal code or statutes. According to Woodall's 2010 Driving Laws, the maximum height permitted on Kansas roadways is 14 feet high. If a vehicle is higher and strikes an overpass or other obstacle, the driver is liable for all resulting damages. The maximum width--without a special permit--is nine feet.
Boat Trailers
Kansas residents must title and register boat trailers if the weight of the trailer with a boat is more than 2,000 pounds. According to the Kansas statutes, if an owner is preparing to sell, trade or gift an unregistered boat trailer, he must obtain the title in his name before selling. Registration is optional for a trailer and boat combination weighing less than 2,001 pounds.The state requires insurance proof before issuing a trailer registration. If the trailer itself is uninsured, proof of insurance from the towing vehicle is used.
Read More: DOT Laws for Gooseneck Trailers
Size Restrictions
Excluding the front and rear bumpers, a single vehicle must be less than 45 feet long including its load except for semi trucks. The state permits a maximum length of 65 feet for any two or three vehicles.Semi trailers must be less than 60 feet in length. When a semi truck pulls two trailers, each must be less than 29 feet long.A semi trailer or trailer may be longer during full daylight if its transporting pipe, poles, machinery or other objects which cannot be dismembered. The combination of vehicles and loads must be less than 85 feet. A special permit is necessary to operate over-sized vehicles.
Towing
Federal law requires taillights, turn signals, brake lights, side marker lights and reflectors on the side and rear of all trailers. According to the Kansas statutes, when one vehicle is towing another the towbar or other connections must be strong enough to pull and stop all the weight under tow. The connections must control and maintain hold of the towed vehicles. The statutes require a safety hitch with chains or cables. A single vehicle may tow two vehicles or trailers if the first towed vehicle has an anti-sway mechanism. Brakes are required for at least one axle on the second towed vehicle and it must have lights. Slow-moving farm vehicles moving from field to field are exempt.The state prohibits signs or other non-transparent materials on any vehicle window which obstructs or impedes the driver's view.
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Writer Bio
Shari Caudill began writing professionally in 1985 with the "Portsmouth Daily Times." Her work has also been published in the "Community Common" and "Cleveland Plain Dealer." Caudill has a writing certificate from the Institute of Children's Literature and a photography certificate from the New York Institute of Photography.