NZTA Dimension Limits
The maximum overall length for a light trailer (including drawbar and load) is 12.5 meters. The maximum overall length for a rigid tow vehicle and light trailer combination (including load, but excluding collapsible mirrors) is 22 meters.
The maximum rear overhang for light trailers is 4 meters and is measured from the halfway point between two axles, or the 2nd axle in a tri-axle set, to the rear of the trailer or its load, whichever is greater.
For light trailers, the front overhang is the distance from the center of the tow coupling, to the foremost point of the vehicle (including its load). The maximum is 2.04 meters radius arc ahead of the tow coupling.
The inter-vehicle spacing is the distance between the towing vehicle (excluding the tow coupling shroud) and the trailer (excluding the drawbar but including the load). The maximum for light trailers is 4 meters, and there is no minimum spacing. The trailer (or its load) may overhang the towing vehicle.
The maximum width for a light trailer (including its load) is 2.55 meters (excluding side marker lights and direction indicators and the bulge towards the bottom of the tires).
Loads that overhang the outside of the body or deck of the vehicle by more than 1m to the front or rear, or more than 200 millimeters to the left or right side, need to carry special warning devices attached to the overhanging end(s) of the load. The total width of a loaded light trailer is therefore 2.95 meters. Visit www.nzta.govt.nz for more information on the aforementioned special warning devices.
The maximum allowable height (including the load) is 4.3 meters. All vehicles must be loaded in a safe manner, with a height appropriate for the type of load.
