Max Length For Straight Trucks By State

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by Mach, Aug 20, 2019.

  1. Mach

    Mach Light Load Member

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    Nov 19, 2017
    Knoxville Tennessee
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    Some of you may have seen this question posted in the flatbed section of the forums but this seems to be an area with little information.

    Long story short Im building a flat bed straight truck to run regional with rare cross country runs. My home state of Tennessee states that a truck can not be over 40' in length and does not allow load over hang. At the same time I read else where that Tennessee allows 45' in length and 3' in over hang. Most eastern states also apparently have the 40' law as well but now Im starting to question how legit this map is. I also wonder how strict states are in this law. Reason why I wonder is because I could do a 30' flatbed, but it would put me over by a foot and an inch. A step down from that is a 28' bed. Those 2 feet is money to me so it makes me wonder. Im all for being legal and Id rather stay that way, but if theres a buffer room for a feet or two over the limit, then ###### im going to take it!

    So if anyone has any info on the max lengths for straight trucks by states, that would be awesome to see. Even better if there is overhang info.

    Also as an fyi, the truck will be a 4 axle configuration. Steer, 1 drive, 2 drops

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  3. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    In the eastern states you will find that some of the infrastructure must be pretty tight and does not support much of anything beyond 40.

    If you carry loads that are oversized with permits etc you can always bill the cost of same process to the customer in addition to the charges you normally bill for the haul.
     
  4. Mach

    Mach Light Load Member

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    Nov 19, 2017
    Knoxville Tennessee
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    Thats always true, but permitting can be a pain especially if you make it a norm. Then again its all part of the job.
     
  5. daf105paccar

    daf105paccar Road Train Member

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    Have rang DOT in the states you want to run?
     
  6. Mach

    Mach Light Load Member

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    Nov 19, 2017
    Knoxville Tennessee
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    That's what I need to do, but seeing as I want to run a majority of the 48, that's a lot of calls. But if I have to then I will. To be fair I'm probably just going to have to build as a 40' and call it good. Now if only 5ft sliding flatbeds existed lol
     
  7. Cattleman84

    Cattleman84 Road Train Member

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    If it were me I'd put the 30' bed on the truck and cut it down by 12 inches, there by puting you at 40' 1"... I doubt anyone would hassle you over 1". Shortening a flatbed for a straight truck isnt that hard to do.
     
  8. Mach

    Mach Light Load Member

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    Nov 19, 2017
    Knoxville Tennessee
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    Not a bad idea either. 29' bed should do me alright. I'll just have to talk to the body builder once I get ready to place the order. Gonna be a little while tho since the slow months are creeping up on us
     
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  9. daf105paccar

    daf105paccar Road Train Member

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    They can be made.
    I have seen a few done the right way.
    Just needs $$$$.
     
  10. Mach

    Mach Light Load Member

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    Nov 19, 2017
    Knoxville Tennessee
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    As nice it would be, I'll manage with what I have. Gotta watch the budget anyways. Maybe if I see the need for it in the future then I can make it happen
     
    daf105paccar Thanks this.
  11. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    I bought a truck out of Texas a while back, it was supposed to be 40 feet long, but wasn't.

    I was driving it and got pulled over in Indiana, got a ticket for oversized truck.
     
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