The Catalnina 22 is 7' 8" wide (not
including the rub rail). This is 92". A critical width for
trailering is 80". Obviously we need the lights and markings for
trailers over 80".
See these source pages upon which my lighting requirements below are
based:
See:
National
Highway Transportation Safety Administration rules
University
of Missouri's trailer light document
TAMU's
DOT information
There are generally two areas where very few sailors are
incompliance. First, if you mast sticks more than 4' aft of the
end of the trailer you need a red flag (12" by 12") on the aft most end
during the day and a single red light at night. Second, since our
trailer and load are wider than 80", they need 3 red marker lights on
the rear of the trailer AND 3 yellow marker lights on the front of the
tow vehicle. Additionally, marker lights are required front and
rear at the widest point of the vehicles, seperate from the tail/brake
lights. You'll note most trucks have what looks like two tail
lights which meet this requirement. Most boat trailers have a
marker light built into the tail light. However, the tail
lights are many times mounted on the frame rails, which are not the
widest part of the trailer, so do not meet the requirements.
Here is a list of lights I believe I am required to have:
- 2 tail/stop lights
- 2 marker lights facing aft at the widest part of the trailer (on
my fenders)
- 1 red light at the top of my mast, which makes it the the aft
most position.
- 2 yellow lights facing forward on my fenders. They will
also shine to the side.
- 2 yellow lights on the forward end of the trailer.
- Since my boat is not more than 4" wider than my trailer, I am not
required to have any lights on my boat itself. If it were 4"
wider on each side, I would be required to have marker lights on the
boat, also.
- My tow vehicle must have 5 marker lights on the roof facing
forward telling people approaching me I am pulling a load wider than
80".
Brakes
Most states require brakes on trailers that weigh over 3,000.
My dual axle trailer weighs 750 pounds and with my boat loaded as I
bought it, weighs 3,340. Accordingly, I need brakes. In
nearly all
states, I only need brakes on one axle, but a couple of states brakes
on all trailer wheels. I'll take my
chance in those states. If anyone needed a good reason to
have a trailer with only one axle, this would be it!
My old race car was a FIAT, and it just
happens FIATS have very big holes in the center of their brake rotors
large enough to fit over my trailer hubs. I
have a lifetime supply in my old parts pile! Why buy expensive
stuff
from Tie Down when junk can be had for free? It in
interesting that
some states allow no brakes when the trailer is less than 40% of the
weight of the tow vehicle. I would just meet that standard
pulling my
C22 with the converted UHaul cube van. :) The only reason I
bring up the FIAT rotors is that they can be part of a homemade system
much cheaper than can be bought from the trailer suppliers. I'll
likely use some other calipers in the system because the FIAT calipers
have a really strange hydraulic fitting.
A good summary of brake laws can be found at:
Roadmaster's trailer law
summary
I have been searching for some reasonably priced reflective tapes as
seen on trucks and trailers. While not required on our rigs, they
could add a measure of safety. I have found a supplier with
reasonable prices if someone wants to share the cost of some, email
me.
Bob Keim
S/V The Pursuit, #6195
Nashville, TN
http://usawaterways.com/svthepursuit.htm
USAWaterways