How is the number of trailers a vehicle can pull on the highway determined?

The determination of how many trailers a vehicle can pull on the highway primarily involves length limits. Each state has regulations that specify the maximum allowable length of a combination of vehicles, which typically includes the truck and any trailers being towed. These length limits are designed to ensure safe operation on roadways, accommodating turns, maneuvers, and overall traffic flow.

In Texas, for example, the total length of a truck-tractor and trailer combination cannot exceed 65 feet, unless otherwise stated for specific types of vehicles or use cases. Therefore, depending on the lengths of the trailers and the tractor, a vehicle might be limited to pulling one or two trailers while remaining within the legal length restrictions.

While weight limits, height limits, and width limits are all important safety considerations for commercial vehicles, they primarily affect the vehicle's cargo capacity, routing choices, and safety protocols. However, when assessing how many trailers can be legally towed, the length restrictions take precedence.