Safety Chains on Trailers:
§42- 4- 506( 3) says; ?Whenever one vehicle is towing another, in addition to the drawbar or other connection, except a fifth wheel connection meeting the requirements of the department of transportation, safety chains or cables arranged in such a way that it will be impossible for the vehicle being towed to break loose from the vehicle towing in the event the drawbar or other connection were
to be broken, loosened, or otherwise damaged shall be used. This subsection (3) shall apply to all motor vehicles, to all trailers*, except semitrailers connected by a proper fifth wheel, and to any dolly used to convert a semitrailer to a full trailer.?
* This includes all ball and socket connections.
Trailer Brakes:
Part §393.42 requires brakes on all wheels of all towed vehicles weighing more than 3,000 pounds. This part also requires those towed vehicles that are required to have brakes to have a breakaway brake system to apply the service brakes of the towed vehicle in the event of the towed vehicle becoming detached from the towing vehicle. Colorado Revised Statute §42- 4- 223 has the same
requirement.
There are many additional safety regulations that must be complied with, such as tires, suspension, steering etc. All motor carriers should obtain a copy of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) to refer to, for all the safety regulations.
