I have used 'express lanes' in LA, CA not towing and I would NEVER go into them towing an RV!
The lanes are frequented by drivers with passenger/s who wish to make progress, so on a steep incline one might be causing an obstruction to others if towing an RV.
Now the signage might not indicate a ban as such, but if one was towing an RV and ended up in a 'smash', I think one could expect to suffer the rath of many 'on scene' officials?
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Old-Biscuit wrote: Typically signs stating 'No Trucks', 'No Trucks Left Lane', 'Speed Limit For Trucks' etc. also apply to vehicles that are towing.....unless otherwise posted.
I follow the 'truck' signs.
Never heard of that ... got a reference to it
Larry
Towing laws/regulations vary so much state to state that I don't worry about looking them all up.
Logic and common sense works for me.
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Here when there are three lanes on the interstate, it will say one of two things - "No trucks over 6 wheels in left lane" or "No trucks over 3 axles in left lane" - since I have 8 wheels and 4 axles when towing, I stay out of the left lane.
most tires on RV's or TT's are rated for 65 mph. you will get run over or may have a blow out and I am not sure I would want to be over there changing a tire or trying to get to the right side in all that traffic to change it
the_happiestcamper wrote: Here when there are three lanes on the interstate, it will say one of two things - "No trucks over 6 wheels in left lane" or "No trucks over 3 axles in left lane" - since I have 8 wheels and 4 axles when towing, I stay out of the left lane.
I agree with the Happiest camper. If the sign says specifies the terms of what cant use it then I would stay out ofthe left lane. Howerver, here in Iowa I see a lot of rants in the editorials page of the local paper about people that are mad because people get into the left lane and are going slower than other traffic. What they are saying is that they want to travel 70-75 mph on hwy 30 when it is only a maximum of 65 mph but ther is also a minimum of 45mph on most hwys in Iowa. TECHNICALLY, I can travel in the left or right lane as long as I dont obstruct traffic. If I am traveling at 55mph in the left lane and some one comes up behind me at 65 or even 70, then he still has a responsibility to have control of his vehicle since I am already in the lane regardless if he wants to continue at 65 or more. However, I consider that left lane a courtosy lane and use it for passing. As for Iowa, I was stopped several years ago as I passed a State Trooper at 55 mph in a 65 mph zone, he was doing just less than 55. It took me some distance to pass him but my cruise was set and he was just a mile or two difference. He pulled me over and asked if I had been drinking, since he didnt have me there he berated me for going around him and the a car could have been coming in that lane faster than I was traveling and I could have caused an accident. I told him to give a ticket because he was chewing me out for a hypothetical situation and no car was in sight when I made my move. I was let go with a warning. This was in my car but my job was a truck driver at the time. I made it a point one day when I had to go into the weigh scales with my papers to strike up a conversation with the DOT officer and I asked about a situation just as that and he told me that the reason he gave me the warning was to justify his stop and it was probably a suspected OWI stop since many OWI's tend to over correct when driving, but that I had every right to be in the left lane as long as I was with in the speed limits, MAX. and MIN. So unless that sign says more than 3 axles or something like then I abide. If it says all trucks, I consider that to be commercial vehicles and not RV's. Anyway, the left lane around here I consider the express lane but use it as I please as long as it harms no one else. Of course in the event of a breakdown in heavy traffic I will stay in the right lane.
The Titan wrote: WE travel through Chicago 4 times a year.
Is a suv pulling a travel trailer alloud in the express lanes.? The sign says no trucks.
Even if it was legal (I believe there are signs that say no trailers), I would not use the express lanes, because, most (if not all) exit points dump you back into the left lane of regular traffic. You could be exiting the express lanes at 65 and merging with traffic (on your right side) doing 75 - 80. The concrete barriers between regular and express lanes, make it especially difficult to see that oncoming traffic. Pulling a trailer would make it much worse.
I make the trip a few times per year, and, prefer to use the toll road to go around instead of through Chicago.
Tom_Diane wrote: ...the reason he gave me the warning was to justify his stop and it was probably a suspected OWI stop since many OWI's tend to over correct when driving, but that I had every right to be in the left lane as long as I was with in the speed limits, MAX. and MIN.
That's messed up. Sorry you had to go through that
If you are talking about the reversible express lanes on I90/I94. I would recommend not going into the express lanes while towing. If you are talking about the local /through lanes on the Dan Ryan on the south side of the city then the through lanes are correct for that section of road if you are not going to exit.
I'm not exiting the highway. I'm also not the fastest vehicle (nor a commercial vehicle).
I want the lane that is non-stop, so to speak, and that tends to be center or left of center.
I'm not in the least concerned that I am traveling slower than some other traffic so long as I am within stated minimums and maximums. The former may not be posted, or may not exist. This is, after all, a public roadway.
I'd rather leave the left-most lane to the four wheelers, but not if the alternative is the right-most lane as I am part of the "through traffic".
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