CA Legal

48' or shorter wagons are exempt from kpra (kingpin rear axle) laws. They are fine everywhere..

To run a 53' fix spread in the Commie you'd need like a 36" pin setting & 10' of tail sticking past the last trailer axle..

You might be able to buy a kingpin permit.? Not sure, but you can get one in FL..

 

53 foot trailer is subject to the KPRA rules, makes no difference if flat, step or van. This is why you see 53ft flatbeds with lots of rear overhang.
A 48ft trailer with a spread is exempts from KPRA. Tandems are not.

 

Wrong on that last sentence.

 

My fleet utilizes 53' flats (and some 53' steps) with the rear most axle set back about two foot from the rear. (I'm still trying to ascertain the necessity for a 53' spread to have axles set that far back vs the placement of a normal 48' spread--Jordan Carriers' newer trailers are set up that way, too.) Anyway, we have one simple rule:

"Cali and Canada...close 'em up."

That way we'll have nothing to worry about.

 

No, not wrong. In California, any trailer running a tandem axle, is regulated to maximum of 40ft KPRA.
They also have a minimum of 38ft KPRA.
Single axle trailer is max of 38ft KPRA.
Pups are excluded due to trailer length restrictions.
Subject to weight

 

Quick Guide: Truck Lengths & Routes | Caltrans

Granted, it shows a 48' spread in the diagram, it does not specifically say spread or tandem. I only read 48' semi trailers are unlimited kingpin to rear axle..

 

The key is, 48 foot or less AND 10’1” spread.
Once you go to a tandem, then the 40’ KPRA regulation takes over.
When you go to a 53, flat, step or box, the 40’ KPRA regulation applies. That is even if you have a 10’ spread.

They make it a bit convoluted. No doubt.

 

Vehicle Lengths | Caltrans

Scroll down and look at exceptions for STAA vehicles. 48 feet, no mention of tandems vs spread.