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MTO Requirements

Trailer Hitches

Trailer hitches are generally available in four weight limits:

• Class I - up to 2,000 lbs;
• Class II - up to 3,500 lbs;
• Class III - up to 5,000 lbs;
• Class IV - 5,000 to 10,000 lbs.

The weight of a trailer and the trailer's tongue weight should never exceed the weight limits set by the trailer hitch manufacturer. Contact the hitch manufacturer for weight limits.

Safety Chains

Safety chains are required between the hitches of towing vehicles and the tongues or tow bars of towed vehicles. This also applies between the first and second towed vehicles. If two chains are used, the chains should be crossed under the tongue or tow bar to prevent the tongue or tow bar from dropping to the road if the hitch accidentally disconnects. Chains should be long enough to permit full turning of the towed vehicle but short enough not to drag on the road.

Chain with a breaking strength equal to the weight of the towed vehicle(s) will comply with Ontario's requirements. If two chains are used, the breaking strength of each chain would need to equal the weight of the towed vehicle(s). A guide to chain break strengths is provided at the Farm Guide: Chain Strengths website.

The breaking strength of chain hooks, attaching devices and the point of chain attachment to the vehicle should be equal to or greater than the breaking strength of the chain.

Note: safety devices such as cable and metal links may be used in lieu of a chain.

Many North American trailer manufacturers install "S" type chain hooks on light duty trailers. These hooks are specifically designed to remain attached to the towing vehicle when the hooks, chains and vehicles are used properly. The hooks in Figures 1 and 2, without retainers, comply with Ontario requirements. Figures 3 and 4 show hooks with retainers. Many Ontario motorists now prefer the hook with a retainer. Chain hooks, other than "S" hooks, that are not specifically designed for light duty trailer application may require a retainer to ensure the hook remains attached under normal vehicle use.

Fifth wheel trailers do not require safety chains or cables provided the fifth wheels have operating safety latches. Goose neck type trailers that utilize ball and socket type hitch connections, are required to have a safety chain.

Vehicles mounted on dollies are required to be secured to the dolly.

Passengers Carried in House Trailers

Passengers are not allowed to ride in a house trailer, including fifth wheel house trailer or a boat trailer while being towed on a highway with a motor vehicle. Passengers are permitted to ride in the camper portion of a truck camper.

Brake Requirements

Service brakes are required on house trailers if the trailer's axle(s) transmit more than 1,360 kgs (3,000 lbs) to the road when the trailer is attached to the towing vehicle. This applies to cases where the trailer is loaded or empty. If brakes are required, at least one axle of the trailer must be fitted with brakes.

Brakes are not required on towed motor vehicles, whether towed with a tow bar or on a dolly. Tow dollies do not require brakes whether or not the dolly is carrying a motor vehicle.

House trailers with electric or hydraulic brakes are not required to have trailer breakaway braking devices or parking brakes while being towed in Ontario. Breakaway devices may be required in other Canadian provinces, the US and Mexico. Please contact those jurisdictions for their requirements.

Brake, Signal and Tail Lamp Requirements

The following provides the minimum requirements for brake, tail and signal lamps on tow dollies, vehicles mounted on tow dollies, and vehicles towed with tow bars when towed behind motor homes and truck campers.

Tail Lamps

Red tail lamps are required at night and during inclement weather on the rear of:

• vehicles that are mounted on dollies;
• on dollies or on the fenders of dollies, when vehicles are not mounted; and
• vehicles that are towed with tow bars.

Brake and Signal Lamps

Brake and signal lamps are not required on tow dollies, on vehicles mounted on tow dollies or on the rear of vehicles towed with tow bars provided the brake and signal lamps on the rear of the motor home or truck camper are clearly visible to motorists approaching from the rear. When a lamp or lamps are obscured, or are not clearly visible from the rear, the obscured lamp(s) must be duplicated on the towed vehicle. Lamps may be duplicated on the fenders of tow dollies that have mounted vehicles provided the lamps are clearly visible.