States and 40' max

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Mach, Aug 20, 2019.

  1. RollinThunderVet

    RollinThunderVet Heavy Load Member

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    I mean his particular tool is one I'm glad they have. I remember driving to FL with my dad in the 90s. There would always be a mile of trucks waiting to go through the scales. Now by the time you make the exit they know all the important stuff and can kick those who are good back to the interstate. This is something I believe helps them and us.
     
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  3. brian991219

    brian991219 Road Train Member

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    @Hammer166 sorry I am late to the party! Thanks for the tag.

    Yes, the states with 40' straight truck rules usually have officers that are good at picking this out, New York is especially adept at this. Our 4 car carriers were always scrutinized for overall length.

    As for reasonable access, the STAA routes and the NN routes -those rules apply to combination vehicles, straight trucks do not fall under the same Federal size limits. Straight trucks still must comply with bridge law for weight, but there is no provision for straight trucks greater than 40', it is a state by state issue.

    As for the map posted, it is incorrect on several states, my home state of Pennsylvania is a 45' foot state, map shows 40. To the OP, do your own research and double check each state to be sure. I have complied a few states but have not done a complete list, yet, although it is one of my research projects since I have had several towing customers that ask about this.
     
  4. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    Florida scales are like that. Often when I'm pulled in to show them my od permits the officer meets me with a printed up sheet showing my current measurements, including axle spacings.
     
  5. Mach

    Mach Light Load Member

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    Thanks for the insight on all that. I've pretty much established that I'm going to have to go with the 40' max and stay legal obviously. I'll try to get a 30' flatbed trimmed to a 29' to meet that requirement. Maybe down the line I'll look into the future and see if I could get an extended system for the bed to run over 40' in permitting states should I see it being profitable.
     
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  6. brian991219

    brian991219 Road Train Member

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    Perhaps you can take advantage of the states that allow rear overhang, depending on the products you plan to haul? This is where the cab over still has a place in the US as I know a few fellas that have rebuilt old cab overs just so they could have longer cargo space or even a coffin sleeper in the same bumper to back of cab space as a conventional day cab truck.

    Good luck and best wishes, at least you did the research before you bought the 45 foot truck and learned the hard way! So many of my clients learn about these types of rules for the first time during an inspection, especially my car hauler clients.
     
  7. Mach

    Mach Light Load Member

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    I actually originally wanted to build a cab over. Was looking at the peterbilt 220 but I had to opt out since there's nothing with an extended cab to sleep in. But yeah I wanted to do that because I would essentially have roughly a 35' flatbed for hauling. It was ideal. I've thought about older cab overs but I just rather not deal with 1980s and 1990s tech. I love me old school trucks but when it comes to money, it's just not financially smart unless I know 100% the history.

    But yeah I have been doing research for years it seems trying to figure out what's the best and smartest thing to do. Time will tell on how well it pays off
     
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  8. daf105paccar

    daf105paccar Road Train Member

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    The truck you want would be a 2 axle?
     
  9. Mach

    Mach Light Load Member

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    Actually it will be a 4 axle but one single power axle. (1 steer, 1 drive, 2 drop axles). I'm not going to be hauling that much but the extra axles are there for just in case.
     
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  10. daf105paccar

    daf105paccar Road Train Member

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    Could you built a 220 with those axles?
     
  11. Mach

    Mach Light Load Member

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    Easily. You can put drop axles on anything with frame space
     
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