80 ft length laws

I may be way outdated on length regs but if you are talking high-fifth wheel set-up...and it appears you are describing it that way...the Feds say you are allowed 65 feet bumper-to-bumper (or rear taillight box) on such a configuration. Plus that 4 feet overhang off the rear. This, of course, if you have a headrack over the truck. Without headrack, this may change and I assume it will, to allow a 53 foot trailer. But, I believe some jurisdictions will not allow any overhang off the front of the trailer in this kind of a set-up. This is the first I have heard of an 80 foot length allowance on any configuration. Stinger-steered gets 75 plus 3 in front and 4 in the rear for a total of 82...loaded both ends.

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/publications/size_regs_final_rpt/index.htm#auto

But this all goes out the window when the SWAT-team attired, pants-tucked-in-the-patent-leather-boots, California Motor Vehicle @ westbound Banning employee tells you that once you cross the county line in Los Angeles, you are only allowed 55 feet overall and he don't care what the federal regs say...he says California law supersedes any Fed rules. In this case, just reply with "Thank you, Sir, for the info" and give a bewildered look. No need arguing with him.

 

Actually, if your pulling a 53ft trailer. There is NO overall length limit on the SoCal freeways and Interstates in Los Angeles CO.

This might help: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/truckmap/truckmap-d07.pdf Definitions here: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/truckmap/truck-legend.pdf

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/truckmap/

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/trucksize/length.htm

Lot's of interesting information for California. It's when you get off the Interstate system that it get's tricking.

 

I understand that SkyLane. And I could've stood there all day citing and quoting but it makes no difference when the man is out to baffle you with his BS and lies. I only been doing car haul for about 40 years so what could I tell this young man? I plainly, flat out asked him..."Do you mean if I am on I-10 headed in to El Monte...that county line?" He said Yes...55 feet... and it's been that way forever. Makes no never mind to me though. One purple Peterbilt will never fall down that hill again and I loved running it for over 10 years. You pick your battles and I choose not to argue with this self-important fool.

Not to get off track from the OP's question though. By his handle, he may be out of Georgia and only run the southeast or ?? and this wouldn't apply.

 

No man...... I'm not here to try to pick battles with anybody. I was just digging up some info to share in case next time you have an issue with a Super Chipper. Sorry you took me the wrong way.

I'm based out of SoCal and run up and down the 101 form LA to Laguna (Monterey) 2-3 times a year. Honestly, I always though we were illegal on that State route because my rig is 73ft overall. I always thought 65ft overall was max until I just read the info I posted above.

I'm not sure when you had that run in with the Super Chipper, but since then CA must have made some major changes in their vehicle length limits.

Anyway. Have a good one and Happy New Year!

 

No, I didn't take it that way, Skylane. Not at all. I was just giving my last experience with the CHP. That was my last and final and it happened on Dec 22, 2007. I don't go where I am not wanted and he made me feel very unwelcome. Cali is not the only place. These types are all over. Regs are used (interpreted) in many ways.

Not a problem at all for me. Happy 2013 to you as well.

 

I just noticed too. Totally my bad. I didn't notice at first that this thread is in the "Car Hauler" forum. Sorry.

 

Im sure they will say that.. and have no doubt they might believe it. And I have no doubt there are those officers who don't have a clue that the proper administration of their office is to serve the public's safety.. not their own interpretation of the law.

You are an interstate business conducting interstate commerce and as such are governed primaraly by Federal Law..

The legal term of Federal Law superceding state law is called preemption ... When SWAT britches gets too aggressive tell him you'll call your attorney and the federal marshalls office and see what they have to say.. in the mean time give him a copy of this:

The legal doctrine of federal laws superseding state laws is called preemption. When a law passed by Congress plainly states that it is intended to preempt state laws, courts have little difficulty applying this express preemption.

Read more: Why Does Federal Law Supersede State Law? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_6301148_federal-law-supersede-state-law_.html#ixzz2JbCZfP9Q

 

I know all that, Kyle. But as for legal counsel and federal marshalls (wouldn't even know how to contact one even though I've heard the stories over my 40 years car haulin') on Dec 22nd with the grandbabies looking for Papaw home for Christmas in the BlueGrass, the "whatever" bewildered look strategy worked fine. I do not need California to make my living. It is their loss the way I see it. That was half dozen years ago and I ain't looked back nor spent one penny knowingly inside or to any business operating in the state. Same with Connecticut and Colorado. I already know up front they don't want me there so I will not go there.