09-14-2014, 10:40 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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Pusher Trailer: Legal Issues?
I have had a hard time finding information about the legalities associated with building a pusher trailer. I have read that some states do not allow re-purposed truck axles on trailers, but have not seen the actual sources of such information.
I'm specifically interested in Massachusetts (since that's where I live), but I am also interested in other states. I'd like to be able to take my trailer on out-of-state trips.
Are there laws preventing such trailers from being used on the road?
Thanks - Chris
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09-15-2014, 08:19 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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I think this is very much a grey area in the law. FWIW, some articulated buses have pusher trailers.
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09-19-2014, 12:36 AM
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#3 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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You are going to have to wade through the motor vehicle statutes for each state. I have not seen anything in NYS law that addresses the issue. The trailer would have to pass the requirements for a non-powered license.
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09-19-2014, 11:02 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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Master Novice
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It's such an unlikely scenario that I don't think many states have put much effort into covering it, laws-wise.
Mr. Sharkey had a long writeup describing his efforts of pushing his electric VW Rabbit with a manual (!?) diesel Rabbit nose. The entire trailer consisted of a Rabbit front end, couple with a Rabbit convertible trunk. It got the job done but some of the control connections were, well, weird. A confabulated cordless drill doohickey acted as an ersatz linear actuator to work the clutch pedal.
The original site is lost but it exists in an archive here.
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09-19-2014, 11:44 AM
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#5 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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I would recommend asking a lawyer to look through the laws, or even stopping at the Secretary of State to get a copy of the regulations (online versions are usually truncated). In my experience most automotive law-related internet rumors are false, so always read the statute yourself before making a decision.
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The Following User Says Thank You to Sven7 For This Useful Post:
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10-03-2014, 12:17 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Corporate imperialist
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This is why I would use a generator on a trailer.
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1984 chevy suburban, custom made 6.5L diesel turbocharged with a Garrett T76 and Holset HE351VE, 22:1 compression 13psi of intercooled boost.
1989 firebird mostly stock. Aside from the 6-speed manual trans, corvette gen 5 front brakes, 1LE drive shaft, 4th Gen disc brake fbody rear end.
2011 leaf SL, white, portable 240v CHAdeMO, trailer hitch, new batt as of 2014.
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11-01-2014, 10:12 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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live, breath, Isuzu-Ds
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cant find the link to when he went to the dmv..
but i remember they asked him if it was under the 1,800lb mark and he said yes.....as far as the OR dmv card it was exempt from every thing title, plate, and tags...
but being that he was going to go out of state he went to the next level 1,801 to 8,000 lb or a light utility plate...same cost as a car in OR 
they reluctantly Xed out the VIN of the car, and issued a dmv TIN for it, more or less gave it a home made trailer registration....
likly a major no no.....lol
Mr.Sharkey's Pusher Trailer
the laws on trailers vary a lot, some states don't care or just want lights on it. others want even a cosco or H/F 4'X4' trailer registered...
------------------
found it they registered it as a assembled trailer.
Amusing DMV Story | MrSharkey.Com
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1993 sidekick my MPG toy, epa rating 26.
i get 29/31 with stock drive train.
Last edited by trooper Tdiesel; 11-01-2014 at 10:41 PM..
Reason: found the link i was looking for...
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11-01-2014, 11:25 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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How about a bunch of charged batteries topped with solar panels?
Quote:
Originally Posted by oil pan 4
This is why I would use a generator on a trailer.
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11-04-2014, 01:20 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Corporate imperialist
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If those batteries are just sitting on a trailer idle at your house they are still wasting away.
I think the only way a battery trailer would not go to waste is when electric vehicles become more popular and you can rent them from some where. That way the batteries are getting used at least weekly if not almost daily.
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1984 chevy suburban, custom made 6.5L diesel turbocharged with a Garrett T76 and Holset HE351VE, 22:1 compression 13psi of intercooled boost.
1989 firebird mostly stock. Aside from the 6-speed manual trans, corvette gen 5 front brakes, 1LE drive shaft, 4th Gen disc brake fbody rear end.
2011 leaf SL, white, portable 240v CHAdeMO, trailer hitch, new batt as of 2014.
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01-11-2020, 04:05 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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Here I am searching for pusher trailer information before posting... and apparently I already asked about it a few years ago.
How about this specific question: has anyone seen specific rules prohibiting axles (i.e., solid rear axles from trucks) from being used in trailers in their state? I recognize each state is different, but if I can find some decent starting information, it could be helpful in guiding further searches.
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