Laws on Pulling a Gooseneck Trailer in Texas

Transporting horses requires use of a horse trailer. Many horse owners and horse haulers prefer to use gooseneck style trailers, which attach to the truck through a hitch within the bed of the truck. Gooseneck trailers tend to ride truer with less sway than a tongue pull trailer that attaches to the bumper of the towing vehicle. Many states, like Texas, have laws regarding horse trailers.

  1. Speed Limits

    • Texas permits passenger vehicles to drive 80 mph on the interstates during the daytime. However, horse trailers must be driven at a slower rate of speed, usually 60 mph during the daytime. Speed limit rules are set forth in Title 7, Subtitle C of the Texas Transportation Code.

    Safety Chains and Length

    • Safety chains must be approved by the Texas Department of Transportation unless the original chains from the manufacturer are still being used. Texas has laws governing the allowed length of a towed vehicle. For horse trailers, including gooseneck trailers, the total length of truck and trailer must be less than 65 feet combined.

    Agricultural Laws

    • Under the Texas Agriculture Code, anyone transporting horses and other livestock must stop and provide feed and water to the animals until they reach their final destination. Anyone caught violating this provision may be fined from $5 to $500. Title 6 of the Agriculture Code states that anyone hauling livestock, including horses, must stop for inspection if requested. Refusing inspection is a Class C misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class B misdemeanor for those with a previous conviction for the same offense.