Is it legal?

seaside Skip

Cadet
Joined
Oct 23, 2004
Messages
6
I have recently purchased a used boat/motor & trailer (from Delaware). The trailer is a 2001 LoadRite with Surge brakes. I live in Maryland. Someone told me that they didn't think Surge brakes were legal in Maryland. Does anyone out there know the law on this ???
 

islandboat

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 10, 2004
Messages
127
Re: Is it legal?

In many states surge brakes do not meet DOT requirements. We had to install almost 30 sets of electric brakes at my fleet of trailers (utility company). However, individuals are not checked as to meeting DOT specs since they are not commercial vehicles. The way I see it, if the trailer cam from the factory with those brakes (and they still work correctly) they should be legal as long as you are not a commercial vehicle. Still, ask your state's highway patrol or DOT.
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
12,842
Re: Is it legal?

I saw an article on this in the Loadrite trailers website. I think it said that surge brakes remain legal for trailers under a certain weight, and are fine for most boat trailers.<br />Go to www.loadrite.com and look around for it.
 

burp

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 3, 2002
Messages
363
Re: Is it legal?

Seaside, MD got into a catch 22 situation with surge brakes on trailers a couple of years ago. There were 2 Maryland House Bills (2003 HB1076 & 2004 HB551) which were to address the problem. I don't know the current status of the surge brake issue.<br /><br />Last year there was an article in the newspaper concerning the non-legal surge brakes, one state trooper stated that they would not issue tickets for surge brakes unless the surge brakes were found to contribute to an accident.
 

ED21

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 26, 2003
Messages
829
Re: Is it legal?

I read in a recent issue of the "Nor'Easter" or the "Mariner" (free paper at marinas & boat stores) that surge brakes are legal for boat trailers under a certain weight. <br />Sorry I can't remember specifics.<br />As noted they aren't legal for commercial vehicles.
 

seaside Skip

Cadet
Joined
Oct 23, 2004
Messages
6
Re: Is it legal?

Thanks for the info.. I successfully got the trailer through inspection today (10/26). I also found out that trailers > 3,000 are a different issue all together. Mine was not in the > 3,ooo class.
 
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