New Hampshire Utility Trailer Inspection Requirements

by Brad Chacos

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Utility trailers are small trailers that attach to a coupling device, often a trailer hitch, on the rear of another vehicle. Utility trailer models come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from simple homemade trailers with a piece of plywood over a simple metal frame, to more complicated trailers with walls, a roof and a ramp. New Hampshire utility trailers must follow the general trailer inspection regulations found in the state's Saf-C 3200 Motor Vehicle Inspection Requirements chapter.

Weight

Trailers in excess of 3,000 pounds must submit to a vehicle inspection and be registered with the state. However, most utility trailers for home use weigh far less than 3,000 pounds and as such don't require inspection or registration.

Brakes

Any trailer over 1,500 pounds, including utility trailers not required to pass a formal inspection, must have working brakes to travel on government roadways. Vehicles over 3,000 pounds must have brake lights.

Lights and reflectors

Utility trailers, regardless of weight, must have two red reflectors on the rear of the trailer. Also, to be driven at night, utility trailers must have an illuminated red right on the left tail end. If a license plate is required on the utility trailer, the plate must be illuminated with a white light visible at least 50 feet away.

Width

No vehicle in New Hampshire can exceed 102 inches in width, including utility trailers.

Inspection Period

If your utility trailer exceeds 3,000 pounds and requires an inspection, the inspection must be done annually, in the month of the owner's birthday. The utility trailer inspection must be held within 10 days of registering the vehicle.

References

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