mxracin
Southern NH
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Joined: 11/22/2003
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Hi all, I'm new to this forum and have a question about maximum length of MH/trailer combinations. I have on order a 30' Haulmark truck conversion on a Freightliner Columbia chassis. The overall length is 41'-7". I plan on towing a 22' Haulmark enclosed trailer which is 27' overall (it has an extended hitch) which results in a combined length of 68'-7"
I did a search and found the state by state allowances here . It seems we will be over the MH maximimum in 17 states and the combined maximum in 30.
Most of the topics I came across when I searched the forums dealt with campgrounds and maximum sizes allowed. We will be using the MH/trailer almost exclusively for racing, and parking isn't a problem in the pits. What I'm most concerned about is enforcement over the road. The dealer tells me I won't have a problem (no surprise there  ), and they do sells dozens of these rigs, most of which are much longer than mine. We race motocross, and a 22' trailer is comfortable by our standards, but the bare minimum for an auto racer.
What has your experience been with law enforcement? What do you do if you're stopped? Pay a fine and move along, or unhook and leave your trailer by the side of the road? The pits are full of guys that tell me it's no problem, but I'd like to know what I'm getting into before it's too late to change.
We could go to a 28' floor plan, but you lose a bed. With 6-8 campers that's a big issue, and that still makes us illegal in the same states. Lopping 2' off the trailer gets us below the 65' limit, but still leaves us over the 60' limit many states impose in the Northeast. Bottom line, getting down to the 60' limit is impractical with the coach we want, so it looks like being an outlaw is our only option.
* This post was
edited 11/23/03 10:33am by mxracin *
2004 Haulmark Truck Conversion
Freightliner Columbia Chassis w/Mercedes 450
22' Haulmark Edge Enclosed Trailer
Several Assorted KTM Race Bikes
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HVACTECH
Aitkin MN
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Joined: 09/30/2003
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On most interstate highways the length limit is 75 feet, I guess that you will have to take a chance that they will not measure you on the other highways.....I don't think that anyone will bother you they usually look for the easy money, speeders and drunk drivers.
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dennis b.
elkhorn, wi, usa
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If I were you I would also be concerned about your liability. If you are involved in an accident regardless of who caused it you may be in for some huge liability if you were over the States legal limits.
Dennis B.
[[blue]2000 Chevy Silverado (Onyx over Pewter)1/2 ton Ext.Cab 4x4, 4.8 litre, 3.73 rear, trans cooler, Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo LT tires, rolltop tonneau cover, sissy steps, & prodigy. [/blue]
[green]2003 Nash 16C travel trailer by Northwood
Equalizer hitch, Charge Wizard, & marine disconnect switch[/green]
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Kusani
Tennessee
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Imo, there are probably legitimate reasons for length limits. Why not just stay legal like the majority and relax? 
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mxracin
Southern NH
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Joined: 11/22/2003
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Dennis,
It's ironic that one of the factors leading us to this combo was increased safety and reduced liability. There aren't many coaches C or A that will tow a 12,000# trailer and provide more than 2,000 lbs CCC legally and safely without being loaded to 99% of capacity. I like a safety margin, and the Haulmark does it with room to spare. It seems I'm trading one liability for another, although I feel I'm safer in this over length setup than in an overloaded coach.
Kusani,
It is my intention to stay safe and legal, don't take the "outlaw" comment too seriously . There just isn't a coach/trailer combination other than 28/14 or 26/16 that is legal everywhere, and I can't justify a combination that leaves 2 bikes or 2 riders at home. I spent a lot of time researching towing and cargo capacity, but missed the length. As to the majority being legal, I see way too many 40+ DP's pulling trailers or toads that exceed the 40'/60' mark typical of the Northeast and MidAtlantic states to assume that everyone just ignores length restrictions. Holiday Rambler alone makes 17 models that exceed 40' and Monaco has 30+ over 40'. I'm assuming these folks are operating legally, I just want to know how!
I intend to call Haulmark today for their take. It seems hard to believe that there isn't some type of exception or qualifier, as almost every coach/tag trailer combination designed and built by Renegade, Haulmark or Showhauler leaves the plant at 70'+ (illegal in their own state).
Would I be correct to assume a CDL would exempt you from these restrictions? I see commercial 53's with at least 15' - 20' in front everywhere. I had a Class 1 years ago, but never followed through with the CDL when the law changed. My wife has a CDL, but without the airbrake or trailer endorsement. Between the two of us I think we could be legal in short order, albeit saddled by the restrictions a CDL imposes.
Jeff
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itsasecret
Washington DC USA
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Joined: 07/03/2003
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Yes, it's illegal. No, it won't change your libality. I am just as bad as you, and my boat is overwidth also. In 36 years, I have never been checked, nor expect to. Have a good time. A CDL makes no difference.
2004 Mandalay 40B , four slides, 350 Cummins/Freightliner.
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BizMan
Novato, CA
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This might be a little like the issue of 45' motorhomes in California, which were illegal until recently. You could buy them but you signed some form which stated that you realized they were over the limit. You could not even drive them off the lot without being illegal. Everyone was happy doing it that way for a long time until (as legend has it) some driver mouthed off to a cop and the cop measured and cited him.
Maybe you would get away with it but it's far better to be legal if you possibly can. That way you don't have to keep watching over your shoulder...
Jim & Jan & usually the cats
99 Gulfstream 34', Nissan Toad
Recently retired, getting used to it!
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SieraSam
Gold Country
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mxracin:
In california the max length for private vehicles is 65' and you are permitted to tow only one TT or boat or toad at a time. I think the limit for commercial vehicles is different and I do not know what it is.
RVMarshal
Class A, FMCA #F269745
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PhillyRube
Rescue, VA
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I am in law enforcement, city level, and we mostly go after weight violations, vs. length. Also, make sure that you have 'Not for Hire" somewheres on the outside. In Virginia, that will exempt you from needing a commercial license.
Personally speaking (get ready to flame me, but I shoot back) there should be a different license class and testing procedures for Class A's, 5th wheels, and trailers over a certain length. I have seen too many accidents involving "blue-hairs" driving a huge Class A, pulling a SUV, and practically clearing the road thinking they are in a Mustang. Makes no sense, a guy driving a limo for hire has to test for a commercial license, but to drive a Prevost, just a license and a fat checkbook. JMHO...(and yes, my hair is silver!)
"Badges..BADGES? WE don't need no steenkin' badges..."
retired Navy Chief!
'03 F350 diesel Western Hauler
'02 Cargomate Toy Hauler conversion
'97 H-D FLHR 1500cc custom
'03 Honda ST1300A (something to leak on the floor)
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mxracin
Southern NH
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Joined: 11/22/2003
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Haulmark couldn't offer much in the way of a guarantee on the legality of the combinations they sell, and I guess I can't blame them. There are way too many variables, so it's "buyer beware". They don't require any kind of waiver when I pick it up, though.
I started searching state statutes, and I question the accuracy of the table as published. In NH, they list 45/60 as the max, but that is for a Class D operators license, not specifically RV's. There is a clause right after that that exempts RV's from this restriction. I called DMV and they confirmed that RV's are exempt, but must not exceed the max for commercial vehicles (75' length, 102" wide, 13'-6" height).
Indiana sets limits, but exempts private and commercial vehicles designed for the purpose of transporting vehicles and boats, which is what I am doing. New York sets limits for overall length, but then goes on to disqualify any restriction which would jeopardize federal transportion funding, which resets the interstate limit of 75' for a single trailer for interstate and state roads receiving federal funding. I don't intend to research this road by road  , I'm using it as an example of how gray the rules really are.
Itsasecret is correct, according to NHDMV a CDL makes no difference (unless the coach is registered as a commercial vehicle). Philly, I've heard the "Not for Hire" from a few other people as well, so I'll be doing that.
My two concerns were safety and liability. I know I'm safer in this rig than in a smaller, heavily loaded or overloaded setup. As for liability, it turns out I'm legal as an operator of this combination in my homestate, which should carry some reciprocity in other states. It seems the laws are gray enough that it should be less than a slam dunk for some lawyer if I am involved in an accident. Thanks to everyone for their advice!
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