8-9 ft 38000 lbs?

They look at the RGNs closely

Biggest issue is you’re supposed to have the oversize banners and strobe light on the rear of the trailer ,

and they WILL bust you for it if you don’t have the banners on.

 

Not on the tn website but multiple law websites have this listed. 2021 Tennessee Code :: Title 55 - Motor and Other Vehicles :: Chapter 7 - Size, Weight and Load :: Part 2 - Weight and Length Specifications :: § 55-7-201. Maximum Length of Vehicles

 

Well we don't run banners or strobes when empty, but haven't been caught yet.

 

Here is what I believe is the current TN kingpin law. It's 50' from the kingpin to the rear of the trailer. If you are running a 53' with a 18" kingpin, you are over length.

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/documents/CentralServices/FAQs_TN.pdf

 

Then I found this that adds some clarification.
"The towed vehicle shall not exceed 50 feet in length from the point of attachment to the tractor; provided, however, if the towed vehicle exceeds 48 feet in length from the point of attachment to the tractor, the distance between the kingpin and the rearmost axle or a point midway between the two rear axles, if the two rear axles are a tandem axle, shall not exceed 41 feet; and 52 feet in length from the point of attachment to the tractor;"
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/central-services/Ch 1680-07-01 -- Overweight over-dimensional movements - Final Rules 2017.pdf
Confused yet? What idiots make these laws? Can somebody explain this to me? "Shall not exceed 41 feet and 52 feet". Which is it, 41' or 52'? And the measurement can be the rear axle or some point in between?

 

I also find this part of the law comical-
"If the towed vehicle exceeds forty-eight feet (48') in length from the point of attachment to the tractor and the load on the vehicle does not consist of livestock, motor vehicle parts, or motor vehicles, or any combination of such items, the distance between the kingpin and a point midway between the two (2) rear axles shall not exceed forty-one feet (41'). The distance between the kingpin and the rearmost axle, if the axles are not a tandem axle, shall not exceed forty-four feet (44') ."
So the kingpin measurement don't apply if you are hauling cows, or car parts, or you can even haul cows and car parts on the same load. Makes you wonder if a loophole would be to throw a few car parts on the load and call it good?

 

I'm still digging and I found this in the code-
"For lengths over seventy-five feet (75’), the front and rear movement shall be signed and marked as hereinafter set out in Rule 1680-07-01-.20. The rear sign shall be fitted with either a rotating amber light or a strobe type amber light which is visible from at least 500 feet and has a horizontal placement which shall be visible from all directions, three hundred sixty degrees (360º)."
So it would appear that you can have a over length permit for your kingpin measurement, but as long as the combo is still under 75', not signage or strobe required.

 

Just on a side note while digging though the TN code, I found several contradictions. Here is a big one-
"(2) As used in this chapter, a “non-divisible load or vehicle” means any load or vehicle which, if separated into smaller loads or vehicles, would: (a) Compromise the intended use of the vehicle, i.e., make it unable to perform the function for which it was intended;
(b) Destroy the value of the load or vehicle, i.e., make it unusable for its intended purpose; or
(c) Require more than eight (8) workhours to dismantle using appropriate equipment, which the applicant for the special permit has the burden of proving.".
Can anybody think of any piece you could disassemble and it not "compromise the intended use"? If that's the case, why even have the 8 hour disassembly section? I never did understand any of those 8 hr disassembly rules that most states have. TN seems to say you have the burden of proof to prove it, but it's still very subjective. I mean if it's just the driver with a crescent wrench and hammer he's not going to get a lot disassembled in 8 hrs, but if you have a big crane and big crew, you can completely disassemble lots of stuff in 8 hrs. Also, are we talking union labor or non-union labor? Lol