Rules of the Road for light industrial trailers in Canada PRESENTED BY: STEVE WHITTINGTON VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING FLAMAN GROUP OF COMPANIES
Braking Regulations are categorized in two ways: 1. By GVWR 2. By Province
Trailer Brake Regulations British Columbia Brakes Gross trailer weight of 1,400 kg (3,080 lbs) or less - Brakes are only required (and that is on each wheel) if the trailer and its load weight are more than 50% of the licensed weight of the vehicle towing it. Gross trailer weight of 1,401 kg (3,081 lbs) to 2,800 kg (6,160 lbs) - Brakes are required on each wheel, including a breakaway brake. Can be surge. Gross trailer weight of more than 2,800 kg (6,160 lbs) - Brakes are required on each wheel, and the trailer brakes must be capable of being applied by the driver independently of the towing vehicle's brakes. A surge brake does NOT meet this requirement. A breakaway brake is also required. The sole exemption to this rule is for a 3 axle house trailer, in which case brakes are only required on 2 of the 3 axles. Inspections Any trailer over 1400 kg must have valid annual inspection, except for dump and logging trailers which require semi-annual Exemptions is for RV, mobile home, boat, horse, auto, and sled trailers if they are specifically designed as such; however if being used for business or commercial gain than an inspection is applicable Inspection is due the instant the item drives onto a BC road - so upon entering province or towed-off sales lot
Trailer Brake Regulations Alberta If gross laden weight of trailer is 909 kg/2,004 lbs or over, or if gross trailer weight is over half that of the unit, an independent braking system is required. Independent braking is not required for trailers with a gross laden weight of not more than 910 kg (2006 lbs) or trailers with a gross laden weight of less than half of the weight of the towing unit. Breakaway brakes are required on trailers over 907 kg (2,000 lbs)
Trailer Brake Regulations Saskatchewan Any trailer towed behind a motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 1,360 kg (2,999 lbs) and greater requires brakes on all axles with a break-away system that will apply the brakes of the trailer in the event it breaks away from the towed vehicle. Currently in Saskatchewan, a motor vehicle that is towed behind another motor vehicle is not required to have operational brakes. However, proposed legislation will require any vehicle that has a GVWR in excess of 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) or 40% the GVWR of the towing vehicle to be fitted with brakes. Current legislation requires that where the combined weight of the towed vehicle and tow dolly exceed 50% of the Gross Vehicle Weight of the towing vehicle, the tow dolly shall have brakes. The maximum weight of any motor vehicle towed behind a towing motor vehicle is 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) or twice the weight of the towing vehicle, whichever is less. The weight of a trailer and its load or a combination of trailers and their loads must not exceed the following: (1) in the case of a trailer or semitrailer with a gooseneck hitch (not equipped with air brakes), a 5th-wheel hitch or a weight distributing hitch, 2-times the GVWR of the towing vehicle; or (2) in the case of a ball hitch, the GVWR of the towing vehicle.
Trailer Brake Regulations MB/ON/QC Manitoba Every semi-trailer that forms part of, or is attached to, a semi-trailer truck, and every trailer that is attached to a motor vehicle and that has a gross weight in excess of 910 kg (2,006 lbs), when upon a highway shall be equipped with brakes adequate, when operated in combination with the brakes of the motor vehicle or semi-trailer to which it is attached, to stop and hold the semi-trailer truck, or the semi-trailer truck and trailer, or the motor vehicle and trailer, as the case may be, within the distances prescribed by the law (subsection 8). Breakaway brakes are required on trailers 907 kg (2,000 lbs) and over. Ontario Every trailer or semi-trailer (1) having a gross weight of 1,360 kilograms (3,000 lbs) or more, or (2) if the trailer weight exceeds more than half the weight of the towing vehicle, shall be equipped with brakes adequate to stop and to hold the vehicle. Quebec Independent braking system is required in each weight bearing wheel where (1) the gross weight exceeds 1,300 kg (2,867 lbs) or (2) the trailer weight exceeds more than half the weight of the towing vehicle. Breakaway brakes are required on all trailers 1,360 kg (3,000 lbs) and over
Trailer Brake Regulations Atlantic Canada New Brunswick Independent braking system required where gross weight exceeds 1.5 tons or 1,500 kg (3,308 lbs). Nova Scotia Independent braking system required where gross weight of load and vehicle exceeds 1,800 kg (3,969 lbs). Breakaway brakes are required on all trailers with a registered weight of over 1,350 kg (2,977 lbs). Prince Edward Island Independent braking system needed where gross vehicle weight exceeds 1,500 kg (3,308 lbs). Newfoundland/Labrador Independent braking system needed where gross weight exceeds 4,500 kg (9,923 lbs) or two or more axles are used on the trailer.
Trailer Brake Regulations Territories Northwest Territory Brakes required if gross laden weight of trailer is 1,360 kg (2,999 lbs) or over, or if gross laden weight of trailer exceeds 50% of gross laden weight of towing vehicle. Nunavut No person shall operate a combination of vehicles unless the vehicle is equipped with a service brake that is capable of stopping the combination of vehicles under 4500 kg GVWR, a distance of 12 m at 30 km/h. If the combination of vehicles is 4500 kg GVWR or greater, they must be able to be stopped at a distance of 14 m at 30 km/h. Yukon Independent braking system required if gross weight exceeds 910 kg (2,007 lbs) or one-half of the licensed weight of towing vehicle.
Summary Province AB BC MB ON NB NL NT NS ON PE QC SK YT Brake Requirement Threshold 2004 lb* 2080 lb* 2007 lb 3000 lb 3308 lb 9923 lb 2999 lb** 3969 lb 3000 lb 3308 lb 2867 lb 2999 lb 2007 lb**
Tow Vehicle/Trailer Size Limits Prov. Length Combined Trailer/Tow Width AB 41 /12.5M 66 /20M 8 6 /2.6M 13 1 /4M Height BC 41 /12.5M 66 /20M 8 6 /2.6M 13 6 /4.15M MB 41 /12.5M 71 /21.5M 8 6 /2.6M 13 6 /4.15M NB 41 /12.5M 75 5 /23M 8 6 /2.6M 13 6 /4.15M NL 41 /12.5M 75 5 /23M 8 6 /2.6M 13 7 /4.2M NT 41 /12.5M 69 /21M 8 6 /2.6M 13 7 /4.2M NS 41 /12.5M 75 5 /23M 8 6 /2.6M 13 6 /4.15M NU 41 /12.5M 71 /21.5M 10 /3.05M 13 7 /4.2M ON 41 /12.5M 75 5 /23M 8 6 /2.6M 13 6 /4.15M PE 53 /16.2M 75 5 /23M 8 6 /2.6M 13 6 /4.15M QC 41 /12.5M 75 5 /23M 8 6 /2.6M 13 6 /4.15M SK 41 /12.5M 75 5 /23M 8 6 /2.6M 13 6 /4.15M YT 53/16.2M 85 /26M 8 6 /2.6M 13 7 /4.2M
Commercial Class Vehicle Inspections These rules are evolving please check with the applicable jurisdiction! However, generally, inspections are required for over 4,500 kg or 10,000 lb GVWR; however there are differences for compliance requirements. Standard code is NSC Standard 11 Part B Commercial can be triggered by weight or by the trailer s use. The use trigger is generally if used commercially or if the trailer s use is being compensated for Inspections are generally required annually An inspection being required on the trailer may also trigger an inspection to be required for the tow vehicle Some provinces has exemptions form inspections for use such as farming, recreational, and hobbyists If a trailer from SK enters AB, an inspection is required the moment the trailer enters AB, so a NSC Standard 11 Part B certification must be secured prior to entering AB Some province s annual inspections are required only if leaving the province, or over a higher GVWR, i.e. 22,500 lb in SK
Inspections 1 of 2 Prov. Weight Triggered? Financial Use Triggered? AB BC 11,794 kg GVW when inprovince 4,500 kg GVW when out of province 1,400 kg trailer only (exemptions listed under brakes section) For All or Air Only? Yes All Annual Certain exemptions listed under brakes NU 4,500 kg No All Annual All Frequency Annual, but logging and dump 6-months MB 4,500 kg No All Annual, except farm and mobile living NB All in province 4,500 kg for visiting All All Annual NL 4,500 kg No All Annual starting after year 1 NS All All All Every two years under 4,500 kg, annually for 4,500 kg +
Inspections 2 of 2 Prov. Weight Triggered? Financial Use Triggered? For All or Air Only? NT 4,500 kg No All Annual YT 4,500 kg No All Annual Frequency ON 4,500 kg No All Annual (buses are semiannual) PE 450 kg (four-fifty) trailer only No All Annual QC 4,500 kg No All Annual, except farm, mobile living, and vehicles with a net weight of 4,000 kg or less that originally had an open truck box and a tailgate (pickup truck) and are registered as passenger vehicles SK No No Air only Annual
Lighting Federal Rules Apply See https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/tptp13136-trailer_e-414.htm
Rear Overhang The Longitudinal distance calculated from the center of the last axle to the rearmost point, including load, on a trailer or semitrailer (MOU) Standard 35% of wheel base This appears to be aligning with most provincial regulations
Illustration
References Recreational Vehicle Towing Guide Alberta Commercial Vehicle Safety Compliance in Alberta June 2012 Highway Traffic Act Ontario Regulation 435/08 The RV Gazette Heavy Truck Weight and Dimension limits in Canada -2003 Guide to the Agreement on Uniform Vehicle weight and Dimensions Limits in Atlantic Canada -2001 Canada Transport Act Motor Vehicle Safety Act Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations CTEA (Canadian Transport Equipment Association) SGI; Highways Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Truckers Guide -2012 The Federal-Provincial-Territorial Memorandum of Understanding on Interprovincial Weights and Dimensions -2011 Recreational Vehicle Towing British Columbia -2007 Nunavut Professional Driver s Handbook
Questions? PRESENTED BY: STEVE WHITTINGTON VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING FLAMAN GROUP OF COMPANIES 2016-06-02