Is 53' flatbed CA legal?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by DechkoTzar, Jul 29, 2016.

  1. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    It's no different then those pulling 53 vans. Just have to obey the 40 ft. kpra.
     
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  3. The coops are all money hungry. I've only scene one truck get an 40' kingpin ticket in 20 + yrs. CALICORNIA DOT was training some,kid. Pulled this ol' Boy in with a Johny Cash vest on. Couldn't find an,issue and popped him for 40' on his spread axle 53' van.

    you are OK to drive in,California. Just keep your right clean, logbook legal and buy some over priced diesel from commie-fornia.
     
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  4. Sharky88

    Sharky88 Heavy Load Member

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    I pull a 53' with a 10' spread axial with no problem in Cali I'm based in Fontana and 60% of our trailers are spreads
     
  5. dclerici1

    dclerici1 Medium Load Member

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    So, with your 53' spreads, is the rear axle set at the 40' mark or is it set to the rear and you pretty much stay to the STAA routes? If the rear is set to the 40' mark, the forward axle is about at the 33' mark on a 53' trailer. Really, I don't understand the need for 53's when no one loads past the 48 mark. Unless it's toilet paper or something like that.
     
  6. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    I don't understand the need for a 53 trailer flat. It adds a confusion factor when dealing with overhang.

    As for vans. Albertsons will load every square foot. And still have weight to spare. Another company ( i can't remember the name ) also loads every square foot. They ship Hospital waste to L.a. to be burned. Them loads are only half gross, weightwise.
     
  7. Sharky88

    Sharky88 Heavy Load Member

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    The forward axial is at the 40' mark
     
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  8. Espressolane

    Espressolane Road Train Member

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    You can run a 53 foot flatbed in California. It will have to be compliant with bridge law, so 40 KP to CRA.
    It can be a spread set or a tandem (closed) set, your choice, then you will need to be legal on weights, spread gets 20K each axle or 34K for tandem(closed)
     
  9. kylefitzy

    kylefitzy Road Train Member

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    That is incorrect information. A trailer over 48' in California has to obey the 40' king pin to rear axle measurement even on the interstate.

    If your trailer is over 48' long your KPRA has to be under 40'. it will depend on where your axles are set on your trailer. Most likely if you have a sliding rear axle you will be fine closed but way over with your axles spread. States with short KPRA laws are the primary reason for a sliding rear axle. IMO

    Do you hang out a lot at the scales? California loves giving KPRA tickets.

    Cant load 53' of freight on a 48' trailer. Have you ever loaded skid steer attachments or small air handling units? Things that can't/don't stack well and cant be over hung.
     
  10. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    I've loaded MOST things. The only load i've had fill up a 53 ft flat. Was foam panels. And the only reason THAT happened was because there was an extra 5 feet to use.

    I'm not saying full 53 foot loads aren't out there. But most will agree. That extra 5 feet of space is basically nothing more then a headache. Unless you've got loads on a daily basis to use that extra space. 53's really aren't worth having.
     
  11. DechkoTzar

    DechkoTzar Light Load Member

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    Ok, there is a 40' KP to CRA rule and I'd have to close the rear axles. But when I close it, does the 34k lbs on the rear axles rule applies?

    In FL, there is a 41' KP to CRA rule but you are allowed to carry up to 44k lbs on the closed axles.
     
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