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Old 04-25-2018, 12:10 PM   #1
kingdaddy
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Sharing info regarding trailer dimension laws by state

Hey everyone...
Thought I would share this info I found on the AAA website.
http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-dimensions/
I imagine some have seen this before, but it was new to me so...
I am surprised to see a 28' trailer length limit in a number of states! That doesn't sound right to me?
Any feedback on that would be appreciated...
Thanks!


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Old 04-25-2018, 12:49 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by kingdaddy View Post
Hey everyone...
Thought I would share this info I found on the AAA website.
http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-dimensions/
Thanks!
Mike
A couple of thoughts on this...
I would use the TOTAL LENGTH as a guide, not individual trailer length.
That being said, according to the website, I would be over length in Alabama (57ft), Arkansas (53ft), D.C. (55ft), Maryland (55ft), New Hampshire (53ft) and South Carolina (53ft).
My rig and truck together is at least 58 feet combined.
I have stayed in Alabama and Arkansas with no issue. I would not tow my RV through D.C. Been there, traffic is terrible, stay in the outskirts.
Don't know if those lengths are enforced but so far, for me, it's been no problem. I really don't believe the highway patrol would waste their time pulling you over on the highway in any of those states. Now driving on smaller city streets with local police might be different.
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Old 04-25-2018, 01:22 PM   #3
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I agree I think the highway patrol has way better thing to do do then run around with a tape! I'm just under 58'

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Old 04-25-2018, 03:15 PM   #4
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The 28' number most likely refers to length of each trailer when pulling doubles.
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Old 04-25-2018, 03:47 PM   #5
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There are a number of those towing laws sites and they don’t always agree. Best check each state’s own web site if in doubt. Here are some other sites.

http://www.hitchemup.com/statetowinglaws.htm

http://trailers.com/state-laws/

http://www.nrcmod.com/Pages/links-towing-laws.html
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Old 04-25-2018, 03:58 PM   #6
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Thanks for the feedback....ya those numbers just don't make a lot of sense to me.
I agree, best to just go with the overall length limits. It was the 28' limit on trailers that got me wondering.. Not gonna sweat it, the RV Parks in some of these states didn't say anything when I gave them my trailer length-seems like they would know?
I honestly don't know what my overall length is.
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Old 04-25-2018, 05:03 PM   #7
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With my 3791RD (40.5 ft.) and my long bed crew cab truck (about 23 ft.), minus the trailer overhang (about 4 ft.), I would be at about 59.5 ft.
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Old 04-25-2018, 06:11 PM   #8
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in general truck and fifth wheel cannot exceed 65 feet. There are exceptions. The AAA page from the OP refers only to trailer length. the first number refers to total trailer length of all trailers attached to the tow vehicle or doubled or tripled as allowed per state regs, the second number refers to each individual trailer. Those 57, 55, 53 foot numbers being tossed around are trailer length limits in various states and provinces. For instance in GA the overall trailer(s) length is 100 feet, but individual trailers are limited to 53' so you couldn't put 2 53 trailers in one set up but you could in theory put a 53 and a 28 together. Most of this is for commercial trucking since they have the greatest need for such regs in order to meet maximum cargo carrying ability.

For Rvers rule of thumb...As long as you stay under the 65' overall length and the trailer length per state regs... you're good. 99% of Rvers will never have an "legal" issue with length.
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Old 04-25-2018, 07:56 PM   #9
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in general truck and fifth wheel cannot exceed 65 feet. There are exceptions. Those 57, 55, 53 foot numbers being tossed around are trailer length limits in various states and provinces. As long as you stay under the 65' overall length and the trailer length per state regs... you're good. 99% of Rvers will never have an "legal" issue with length.
I think you are correct with the 65' overall length limit. I have read that number for Arkansas and I think it is common to most states like the 13'6" height limit.

There is a really handy book (Woodalls I think is the name) that is about 2" thick that lists all the campgrounds and details the towing limits of each state. You can find it at Camping World. You can find the information online but the book is a good resource and worth every dime.
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Old 04-26-2018, 07:49 AM   #10
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We have rv'd in every state except Alaska and Hawaii. Have never had an issue in any state over length. Only issue ever experienced was a Highway Patrol spot checkpoint in California at a truck stop where we were pulled over and weighed. Guess length could be a factor in the case of an accident.
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Old 04-26-2018, 09:01 AM   #11
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We have rv'd in every state except Alaska and Hawaii.
Lived in Hawaii almost 17 years. Still waiting for that trans-pacific tunnel.
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Old 04-26-2018, 11:06 AM   #12
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Lived in Hawaii almost 17 years. Still waiting for that trans-pacific tunnel.
Lived there for 6 years myself - hated every minute! My rig is just shy of 59 feet total; long bed F350 dually and 362RD. Haven't used it yet so no experience w/ highway patrol here in NH. Can't imagine they would take the time to pull you over and measure unless you gave them a reason and acted like an idiot.
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Old 05-06-2018, 07:42 PM   #13
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Finally got around to pacing off the length of my rig and it comes to about 55' or so.
Certainly not gonna worry about it, thanks to all who chimed in...
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