South Carolina Utility Trailer Hauling Requirements

A person towing a trailer in South Carolina must adhere to the state’s safety and registration requirements. If they don’t, they face violations that could cost them significant money in fines. While all trailers need to have the proper lighting, reflectors and secured loads, only some need to be registered. Registration is based on a trailer’s weight.

South Carolina defines a trailer as a vehicle that is designed to be hauled by a motor vehicle. It is built so that none of its weight is placed on the towing vehicle. Trailers may or may not have motive power and can carry property or people.

Utility trailers are trailers with an open bed; trailers with an enclosed space are known as cargo trailers. Both are used for hauling goods.

Utility trailers offer more options for hauling as they have no walls, door or ceiling – the user simply places the items on the trailer bed. They have a minimalistic design and are lightweight, which makes them easier to tow. They can be used for hauling cars, construction equipment, furniture, or any other items that may be oversized or have an odd shape.

All states have laws regarding trailer specifications, and South Carolina is no exception. Trailers in the state cannot be more than 102 inches wide or 13 feet, 6 inches high.

Trailers transporting vehicles and boats cannot be longer than 75 feet, front and rear overhang excepted. However, a trailer’s front overhang cannot be longer than 3 feet, and its rear overhang may not be more than 4 feet.

Trailers with a gross vehicle weight of over 3,000 pounds must have brakes on all wheels that can be applied automatically and immediately, and stay applied for a minimum of 15 minutes when breaking away from the vehicle towing it. When it comes to lamps, trailers and semitrailers with a gross weight of more than 3,000 pounds must have:

• ‌Clearance lamps:‌ One on each side at the front of the trailer and one at each side at the rear of the trailer.
• ‌Side-marker lamps:‌ One at or near the front of the trailer and one at or near the rear on each side of the trailer.
• ‌Reflectors:‌ One at or near the front of the trailer and one at or near the rear on each side of the trailer
• One rear stop light.

A pole trailer’s specifications are somewhat different. Those with a gross weight of more than 3,000 pounds must have:

• One side-marker lamp and a clearance lamp on each side. These may be in combination and must show the front, side and rear of the vehicle.
• Two reflectors one at each side.

Trailers, semitrailers and pole trailers that have a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less require two rear reflectors, one on each side.

If they are loaded or have dimensions that obscure the stop light on the towing vehicle, they must have their own stop light. Pole trucks and trailers must have reflectors, light reflecting paint or tape on the outside of the pole support bolsters, frame or both.

When being towed by a vehicle, the draw bar or other connection to a trailer must be strong enough to pull its weight when towed, and there must not be more than 15 feet from one vehicle to the other.

Trailers that obstruct a front vehicle’s rearview mirror from the driver’s position must have its own rearview mirror, giving the driver a view at 200 feet to the vehicle’s rear. When towing a trailer with the connection between the two being a chain, rope or cable, a white flag or cloth at least 12 inches square must be displayed on the connecting item.

It’s important to make sure that whatever a utility trailer carries is covered and secured so that it cannot fall from, or blow off of, the trailer while in transit. The contents must be secured so as not to endanger other drivers and pedestrians.

The cover on a trailer’s contents can be made of any fabric, as long as it secures the load and remains tied down. Larger and oddly shaped items must be securely tied to the trailer so they can’t fall off while in transit.

South Carolina state law prohibits a person under 15 years old to be in an open bed or in the cargo area of a trailer or a pickup truck. Exceptions to this rule are when:

• An adult is present in the cargo area or bed and is supervising the minor.
• Child wears a seat belt manufactured according to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208. Installation must support a load of at least 5,000 pounds per belt, and the belt must have been approved by the U.S. Department of Public Safety.
• There is an emergency situation.
• Vehicle is part of a parade or organized hayride and has a valid permit.
• Vehicle is being used while hunting or in an agricultural activity.
• Vehicle is being used in a county with no incorporated area or more than 3,500 people.
  
• Vehicle is going less than 36 mph and has a closed metal tailgate.

A person in violation of this law faces a fine of $25. Driver’s license points and insurance surcharge cannot be assessed for this violation.

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) issues trailer plates for certain vehicles:

• Boat trailers.
  
• Camper trailers.
  
• Farm trailers.
  
• Horse trailers.
• Pole trailers.
• Semitrailers.
• Travel trailers.
• Utility trailers.

To apply for a trailer plate, the owner must fill out an Application for Trailer License Plate (SCDMV Form RG-010A), but must first have their trailer or camper titled. To do this, they must show the bill of sale and the previous title to the DMV.

If the trailer does not have a previous title, the owner must fill out an Affidavit of Ownership for a Motor Vehicle, Trailer, or Mobile Home (Form TI-021A) and a Vehicle Identification Verification for Title without a Previous Title (Form TI-021B).

Permanent plates are a type of license plate used on boat, farm, pole and utility trailers. A permanent plate is used for travel outside of the state, and if the trailer has an empty weight of at least 2,500 pounds, it must be registered to travel in state and out of state.

Permanent plates apply to trailers with a power/towing unit GVW of more than 26,000 pounds. If a trailer has an empty weight of less than 2,500 pounds, and the owner is not using it out of state, it does not need to be registered.

Permanent plates cannot be placed on another trailer. Owners must fill out the Application for Trailer License Plate (SCDMV Form RG-010A) and pay $75 in one sum to the DMV.

Biennial plates are a type of license plate used on business, boat, utility, pole and farm trailers. A permanent plate is used for travel outside of the state, and if the trailer has an empty weight of at least 2,500 pounds, it must be registered to travel in state and out of state.

Biennial plates apply to trailers with a power/towing unit GVW of less than or equal to 26,000 pounds.

If a trailer has an empty weight of less than 2,500 pounds and the owner is not using it out of state, it does not need to be registered. Biennial plates cannot be placed on another trailer. Owners must fill out the Application for Trailer License Plate (SCDMV Form RG-010A) and pay $10 every two years to the DMV.

The particular license plate is for business customers who own a boat, utility, pole trailer or semitrailer. A business representative must register these vehicles to travel in state and out of state.

This plate can be placed on another trailer owned by the business. The applicant fills out an Application for Trailer License Plate (SCDMV Form RG-010A). The fee is $20, payable to the DMV every two years. The owner is required to pay property taxes on the trailer in their county before registering it.

Campers and travel trailers that have living space must be registered in South Carolina. Horse trailers that have living quarters must also be registered. There is no weight requirement on these trailers for a plate.

The owner will fill out the application mentioned above and the registration fee for this type of plate is $10 every two years payable to the DMV. The owner must pay property taxes on the trailer in their county before registering it.

RV registration works much in the same way as registering a car in South Carolina. The registration fee for an RV is $40. A trailer or camper must have a title to be registered. To do this, they must show the bill of sale and the previous title to the DMV.

If the trailer does not have a previous title, the owner must fill out an Affidavit of Ownership for a Motor Vehicle, Trailer, or Mobile Home (Form TI-021A) and a Vehicle Identification Verification for Title without a Previous Title (Form TI-021B).