What is the rationale for the Bridge Laws?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by expedite_it, Oct 15, 2022.

  1. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    That is the reason. So people refer to the distances as there "bridge length". The bridge isn't a "physical" part of the equipment. It's just nomenclature.
     
    kylefitzy, Hammer166, Bean Jr. and 2 others Thank this.
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  3. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    I don't think you understand what I meant. It's probably my fault that you don't understand what I meant because I did not write it in a clear enough way.

    Let me rephrase this: I thought that the KPRA laws were designed to protect bridges because people call the KPRA laws the bridge laws.
     
  4. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    California’s rule is mostly about maneuverability. Although causing more tailswing the trailer will get around right corners better with the tandems up at the 40 foot mark. If you notice in CA there are also a lot of sets of doubles. They’re popular simply because they get around better.

    The only state with a KPRA rule that I can’t figure out is Florida because if you have a fixed spread axle trailer then you can buy a permit and not have to worry about the KPRA. But your standard trailer with sliding tandems has to.
     
  5. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    I thought that the KPRA laws were designed to protect the structures that consist of an elevated pathway over a body of water or a depression because people call the KPRA laws the bridge laws.
     
  6. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    I gotcha.
     
  7. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    What is so special about California that makes it so that you need a lot more maneauverability in California than in other states?
     
  8. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    It helps you dodge homeless people easier.
     
  9. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    I was homeless for three years. From my observations of living with homeless people, i can vouch for the fact that if you don't want to hit them, you need to either dodge them or be ready to slam on your brakes (and cause a load shift). Lots of them would just walk right out in front of traffic in the middle of the street and NOT on a crosswalk. They'll walk out in front of a truck going 50 mph when the truck is 40 feet away.
     
  10. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    I’m not sure when they made the law. But it wasn’t long ago, maybe 2010-ish, when any trailer in CA had to be 40ft from kingpin to rear axle. Then they changed it to only trailers over 48 foot. So it’s probably just something that’s been on the books long before roads and streets are the way they are now. And they probably keep it on the books because it’s an easy ticket to write and get some money.
     
  11. singlescrewshaker

    singlescrewshaker Road Train Member

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    We're a very inclusive bunch down here.! :D Plus we gotta get that whole extra $20 bucks a year from ya..:rolleyes:

    When you used to pull pots here, did you happen to notice a few intrastate guys drag'n closed tandem skateboards.? FLA allows 40k lbs with a 10% tolerance on a tandem. Spreads are pointless for the locals..
     
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