fly-boy wrote: The only issues you need to be concerned with in CA are the following:
65 feet max length- with a 41-42 foot trailer you are fine.
Your trailer likely has an 18k # GVWR. In CA you are required to have a non-commercial class A license for any fifth wheel with a 15k GVWR or higher- but only if you are a resident of the state.
Nothing else matters- regardless of what anyone else is going to tell you.
Often "what matters" is - what matters *TO* the LEO who decided to pull you over for whatever reason!
As fly-boy, Keven - and other So.CA (and CA) residents know, there's lots of "selective enforcement".
By that I mean "we" CA residents are used to *regularly* driving the CA (and So. CA) - freeways considerably in excess of the 65 mph (single vehicle) speed limit - that is - unless it's rush hour, then it's more like 6.5 mph.
Driving the legal limit (except rush-hour/s) may get you rear ended!
The other extreme - being the "point man" at 85 mph - when everyone else is at 75-80 - will probably attract some enforcement by a watchful Chippy.
The others will get a pass - it keeps the traffic flowing - and there just aren't enough LEOs available to cite 'em all. Mission Impossible! Other stuff (accidents, etc.) on the freeways will take priority.
However - sometimes the CHP will "blanket" an area with additional officers due to a rash of accidents, etc. Usually they will announce same on the news. Good heads-up - speeder beware!
The trailers of all sorts with M/Cs, ORVs, boats, etc - - heading to and from Glamis, Colorado River, mountain resorts, etc. may also be in the cross-hairs for a given area - or by individual officers.
Some of the LEOs may not be totally up to snuff on various vehicles and the applicable VC sections, while others know the Vehicle Code like a preacher knows his bible.
Ex: BIL is a serious Drag Racer. Been doing same a long time. Many of his cronies pull race car haulers with MHs - with a total length WELL over 65 feet (70-75 ft range).
He admits - he has no clue how they get away with it.
Glamis & Co. river traffic - LEOs (CHP) likes to watch for speeders with the pos of nabbing a DUI or two at the same time.
(naw - nobody has a few on the way to or from the River or Glamis, right?)
You're "dry" = LEO may never check vehicle stuff - just, DL & registration - speeding cite and adios!
Mountain resorts - for years there was a Chippy who liked to watch a section of road in the San Berdo mtns. Road briefly went from two lanes to four (two each direction). Great spot to pass the flatlanders, pedal to the metal . . . and easily exceed the posted limit.
A friend was *clocked* there and pulled over. Chippy said he had him on *radar* at XXmph. Friend casually said he didn't know the CHP had radar. Officer said the state doesn't buy radar guns - - so he bought his own!
Hang a *wheel* over the double line - and, if seen, you *will* be cited!
Maybe the same LEO - but they *do* have lots of head-ons due to "drifters".
The exception to "length savy" LEOs are the commercial enforcement guys.
However - usually they have plenty to do with their assigned task - and are not involved with Rvs.
Best plan is to know the requirements, and obey the law/s.
~
* This post was
edited 06/14/12 07:59pm by ol Bombero-JC *
JC wrote: Mountain resorts - for years there was a Chippy who liked to watch a section of road in the San Berdo mtns. Road briefly went from two lanes to four (two each direction). Great spot to pass the flatlanders, pedal to the metal . . . and easily exceed the posted limit.
A friend was *clocked* there and pulled over. Chippy said he had him on *radar* at XXmph. Friend casually said he didn't know the CHP had radar. Officer said the state doesn't buy radar guns - - so he bought his own!
Hang a *wheel* over the double line - and, if seen, you *will* be cited!
Maybe the same LEO - but they *do* have lots of head-ons due to "drifters".
JC I lived in those mountains and your dead on. All the flatlanders racing up and down the mountain caused many accidents thus the strict CHP officers. Google "rim of the world highway" and hope your not traveling it on a Friday or Sunday or when the clouds meet the rim. I won't even mention "chain control". Made a small fortune selling and installing those puppies at the check point at the Cliffhanger.
I might add this little VC.
Section 24002(a) CVC prohibits a vehicle or combination of vehicles
which is in an unsafe condition or which is not safely loaded and which
presents an immediate safety hazard from operating on the highway. This
section provides officers the authority to stop a vehicle or combination
of vehicles that is, in the officer’s opinion, unsafe to operate on
the highway. This section could be used to prohibit a driver from
continuing until the unsafe condition is fixed.
Wow, now that's a generalized law! I bet that is for things like a flat tire on a trailer, or maybe an entry door came unlatched and is flapping in the wind.
2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD Crew Cab SRW -6.6L Duramax Diesel, Standard Bed, 4x4
2007 Yamaha YFZ450 Special Edition
DL: CA Non-Commercial Class A
Tow Rating: 13,000
5th Wheel Rating: 16,700
Max Payload: 3,123
GVWR: 10,000
GCWR: 24,500
Front GAWR: 5,200
Rear GAWR: 6,200
45Ricochet - the spot I was ref to is Hwy 18 right across from the Snow Valley Ski area.
Favorite CHP wait and watch site.
If your were a "regular" or lived on the mtn - you (we) knew the best plan was to maintain the limit and tuff it out behind the slow traffic whether it was up or down the mtn -
all passing did was catch you up to the next gaggle of vehicles anyway, LOL.
BTW - not intended to be "disparaging" in any way - but for the folks from other parts of the country with winter mtn recreational areas . . . you just haven't experienced "challenged" drivers - until you've been behind one of the folks from Little Saigon (young or old) experiencing snow for the VERY FIRST TIME in their life!!
White knuckles, goggle eyed - at Five (5) mph - forever, and ever, and . . .
ol Bombero-JC wrote: 45Ricochet - the spot I was ref to is Hwy 18 right across from the Snow Valley Ski area.
Favorite CHP wait and watch site.
BTW - not intended to be "disparaging" in any way - but for the folks from other parts of the country with winter mtn recreational areas . . . you just haven't experienced "challenged" drivers - until you've been behind one of the folks from Little Saigon (young or old) experiencing snow for the VERY FIRST TIME in their life!!
White knuckles, goggle eyed - at Five (5) mph - forever, and ever, and . . .
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