As more travelers take to Wisconsin’s highways this summer with RVs, campers, and trailers in tow, the Wisconsin State Patrol is emphasizing a critical message: travel safety begins with the driver.
According to an article by WHBL, while troopers and inspectors work daily to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely, State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan stresses that responsibility starts with each vehicle operator.
“Drivers have the biggest role in travel safety and should be checking load securement, trailer connections, and weight and dimension limits when planning a trip with a trailer or camper,” Carnahan said.
Before setting out, drivers are urged to thoroughly inspect their vehicles—checking tires, axles, lights, wheel bearings, and ensuring two safety chains are used and properly secured. But safety isn’t just about mechanical checks.
Driving with an unsecured load is not only extremely dangerous, it’s also against the law in Wisconsin.
Under statute 348.10, offenders may face fines or even jail time if someone is injured or property is damaged due to debris falling from their vehicle.
To highlight the dangers, consider this: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that unsecured loads and road debris cause 739 deaths, 17,367 injuries, and nearly 90,000 crashes each year.
A 20-pound object flying off a vehicle at 55 miles per hour can strike with the force of 1,000 pounds.
Drivers are required to ensure that their load cannot drop, sift, leak, or otherwise become airborne while in transit.
To meet this standard, loads should be tied down with rope, straps, or netting, large items must be fastened directly to the vehicle or trailer, and the entire load should be covered with a tarp or netting if necessary.
Overloading must be avoided, and drivers are encouraged to ask themselves whether they’d feel safe driving behind their own rig.
Wisconsin also enforces maximum vehicle dimensions to protect public safety and infrastructure: vehicles may not exceed 8.5 feet in width, 13.5 feet in height, 45 feet for a drivable motorhome, 46 feet for a towable camper, or a combined 70 feet for a truck and trailer.
Weight restrictions on roads and bridges must also be followed. Detailed information and legal guidelines are available at the Wisconsin DOT’s Secure Your Load page and the official SP4075 size and weight restrictions.
For RVers, properly securing loads helps prevent tragic accidents, protect public infrastructure, and maintain public trust in the safety of RV and trailer travel—making it a shared responsibility for everyone who enjoys the freedom of the open road.