Air Boss
Tucson, AZ
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Joined: 05/02/2006
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We're going to go through California this next month pulling our fifth wheel. We haven't been there before and wondering if CA has any unique road rules concerning RVs, i.e. use the truck lane at 55 mph, stop at weigh stations to get weighed, etc. Would any of you please care to convey such rules, if any?
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GSF
full-timing in North America
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Joined: 06/04/2004
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Just keep it at 55 and stay in the right lane. The California Highway Patrol seriously enforces the 55 mph towing rule. It's the only state where I've seen numerous RVs pulled over by the CHP. I don't know of any state that requires RVs to pull into weigh stations.
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RicJones
So. Cal.
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Nothing unique, just the 55 mph rule. If there are 3 or more lanes you can go into the 2nd from the right to pass.
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dave54
CA.
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Joined: 02/12/2004
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If you are interested in the RV/Trailer handbook:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648toc.htm
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Deen
Vancouver, WA
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They must have changed enforcement then as we've been through CA several times towing a vehicle at 65 and never even been looked closely at. Lucky? NOT US!!
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mockturtle
Northwest
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Yep--they will enforce the 55mph speed limit! We do use the second lane, though, when there are three or more and there is a lot of merging traffic. It's dangerous not to. Merging traffic seems to have the right of way (although I've been told it doesn't, legally).
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Dixonmatco
Santa Rosa, California
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Stay within 5mph of the speed limit on the highways, Stay out of the LH lane unless passing a slower vehicle and you will be fine. It is not necessary to pass through weigh stations.
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smkettner
Vladivostok, Russia (temp)
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55 is the limit. They may not pull you over for 57 but if you are hanging with the 75+ crowd your fine will be calculated from 55 limit and will be more expensive than a car that is allowed 65/70.
Keep to the right two lanes period. In the city if you have four+ lanes in your direction you can hang one over from the slow lane to avoid the platoons of tailgaters trying to merge as a single block.
Staying in the two right lanes can be difficult when you can run 55 but you are climbing a grade behind ten semi trucks going 21 mph that are passing another truck going 20 mph.
Don't stop at weigh stations.
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samsontdog
Sac. Ca summer, Yuma Az winter
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I have been driving on Calif Highways for 55 years and I cannot remember seeing a RV pulled over for speeding ! There are a lot of them that should be . My SIL
is a CHP and he said "unless there is a crack down" the CHP will let you slide
5 or 6 MPH over the 55 limit when you are towing. I generally tow at 62MPH or so. I stay in the slow lane most of the time but a lot of the roads are so bad in the slow lane that I will move over one lane. You best stay out of the fast lane towing in Calif if there are 3 lanes as you could get a ticket.
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DianneOK
Sioux Falls, SD
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After 30 years as a CHP officer, my DH (and I) keeps it at 55....no faster!
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