By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: I am making a hunting blind out of an old boat trailer, do I need brakes on it? Answer: Brakes are required on all trailers with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more. Trailers manufactured after June 30, 1988, with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more require brakes installed on all wheels. Every trailer with a … [Read more...]
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Question: How long can a trailer and a trailer boat combination be on the roadway? Answer: Maximum length of towing vehicle and one trailer combined is 75 feet. (Fig. 2) Maximum length of trailer allowed is 45 feet. Maximum allowed width of a vehicle is 102”. Maximum height allowed is 13’6”. Three unit RV combinations (Fig. 3) consisting of a full size pickup … [Read more...]
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By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: I enjoyed your article “Trailer Wheel Bearing Talk.” Could you talk more about tire safety? I look around in parking lots and see many tires that are unsafe. Thanks!? Answer: Tire talk is an important conversation as their functions include supporting the vehicle load, transmitting traction and braking forces, … [Read more...]
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By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: Can you talk about boat trailer safety with all the traffic we see pulling these things? Answer: State Troopers often encounter motorists pulling trailers that are experiencing breakdowns. Most often it involves a flat tire or trailer wheel bearing. Basic trailer maintenance involves greasing the wheel … [Read more...]
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Question: There are way too many other drivers on their cell phones calling or texting. Why don’t you enforce these laws? We never hear about it. Answer: The Minnesota State Patrol and other law enforcement agencies have been, and will continue to be actively involved in Distracted Driving and Hands-Free enforcement campaigns throughout Minnesota. As a matter of fact, during … [Read more...]
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Question: Can a vehicle with a Minnesota collector plate be driven legally in other states? Answer: The general rule is states honor the registered vehicle and registration laws from the state the vehicle is registered. So as long as you’re legal in Minnesota you will be fine on your drive to Arizona. There are several different requirements for “collector” license … [Read more...]
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Question: Is it legal to wear earplugs or headphones driving a vehicle in Minnesota? Does the decibel rating matter? Answer: State statue says that no person, while operating a motor vehicle, shall wear headphones or earphones that are used in both ears simultaneously for purposes of receiving or listening to broadcasts or reproductions from radios or other sound-producing … [Read more...]
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Question: If I sell my vehicle to a private party, what do you recommend I do to protect myself in the event the new owner gets into a crash or is arrested prior to them transferring the title into their name? Answer: If the vehicle you sold is involved in a hit and run or pursuit and the driver flees the scene, law enforcement will contact the registered owner in an attempt … [Read more...]
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Question: I have heard speeding over 100 MPH has increased, what is the State Patrol doing about this problem? Answer: The Minnesota State Patrol, along with law enforcement agencies across the state, are currently conducting enhanced speed enforcement on the roadways through July 19. The extra enforcement will target speeding violations as well as aggressive driving. … [Read more...]
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I was approached at a gas station and asked several questions about the State Patrol squads. I was recently issued a 2019 Dodge Charger and he noticed the color was a brighter maroon. The State Patrol has a distinctive maroon paint color through Ford. The maroon paint that Ford uses is custom – we are the only agency in the country using it, but with an added cost per … [Read more...]