Gary Franks
Fulltimer from Newport Beach, California
Senior Member
Joined: 02/24/2008
View Profile
 Offline
|
I would like to know if any of you have ever been cited for exceeding the maximum combined vehicle length laws (I am not asking about triple vehicles).
I have a 39’ motorhome and I am considering purchasing a boat that I will tow behind the motorhome. Depending on which boat I buy, I may exceed the allowable length (65’) in many states with the trailer tongue and outboard motor.
I’ve noticed that some states have a maximum length of 60’ or even less. With my current toad, I’m over 60’. What happens when you enter a state with more restrictive lengths? Is it just a traffic ticket or would they make you drop your toad or trailer?
'05 Fleetwood Bounder Diesel 39Z | Datastorm F2 Satellite Internet | Toad1: '03 Lincoln Town Car | Toad2: '08 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited 4WD
|
kalynzoo
Los Angeles , California
Senior Member
Joined: 12/30/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
In California, if you are stopped, and you will be on the 5 or 15, you will have to drop the towed vehicle, as 65 ft is max. My guess is only the CHP will give a citatation. But, they will.
|
jauguston
Bellingham, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 07/03/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
You will be allowed to disconect the offending over length vehicle on the side of the road and it will be up to you how to deal with it from there. If you are on restricted no shoulder roadway if it cannot be driven they will be happy to have it towed for you (-: Just hope you don't get caught.
Jim
Jim, Sharon and Buddy the Yorkie
1999 Gulfstream Sun Voyager 31' ISB Cummins 210 uprated to 275
AIMS 2500w inverter 4-6v GC batteries
3- Kyocera 130w solar panels
1987 Suzuki Samurai tintop Toad w/VW 1.6 turbo diesel power
|
tdsmith
North Carolina
New Member
Joined: 02/24/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
I have seen a box van and a box trailer being measured on the side of Interstate 85 in NC. I don't know the results.
|
JIMNLIN
Big Cabin, OK
Senior Member
Joined: 09/14/2003
View Profile
|
Gary Franks wrote: (snip)
What happens when you enter a state with more restrictive lengths? Is it just a traffic ticket or would they make you drop your toad or trailer?
in my state it can be either one but other states ... ?? I would check with the states DOT folks that you will be traveling. Just because a few RV.net members haven't recieved a ticket I certainly wouldn't draw any conclusions on how a state trooper/state DOT field officer will enforce his state length regs. Give them a call.
JIM
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach Linex
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er with two slides 16" BFG Commercial LTs
|
|
|
Judgerr
Ilinois
Senior Member
Joined: 07/17/2001
View Profile
|
Check towing laws here
Hope it helps!
2000 F-350 V-10 SRW Super Cab, 4x4 Short Bed. Prodigy Brake Control, BilSteins, and Scan Gauge II!
2003 Jayco Designer 31RLS (33ft)
I'm not a judge, it's just a nickname!
"SEMPER FI" Vietnam 1968! Short cut "The shortest distance to the next const zone"
|
Gary Franks
Fulltimer from Newport Beach, California
Senior Member
Joined: 02/24/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
After reading your replies, I think it is approriate to paraphrase Roy Shreider's line from the movie "Jaws": "You're going to need a smaller boat!"
|
