Is it legal to drive 53ft trailer with tandems all the way back?

I know it is Illegal in Florida, I got a ticket for it. Cop said they allow for special weight provisions in that state because they don't want people running up curbs and tearing stuff up

 

Depends on the state and their laws. I know for a fact it’s legal, and often done in Kentucky.

 

Here in NY, we have a 42" kingpin rule, which was pretty much all the way back for a 48" trailer, and an even 5' rear overhang on a 53' trailer. Pennsylvania has a 41" rule, which is usually 2 holes past the California hole (40'), which is usually marked with yellow on NEW trailers. Most trailers have the furthest forward hole as the 39'6" off-interstate hole for Idaho, then each hole is a further 6", so they work out as follows"
#1 hole: the "Ida-hole"
#2 hole: CA
#4 hole: 41' (PA, others)
#6 hole: 42" (NY, others)
etc......

 

I use this for reference

 

Depends on how lucky you get. I was 2000 lbs overweight on tandems out of Ontario CA. Kept them bridge law distance, hit AZ weight station on I40, pulled those babies all the way back, rolled to VA still 600lbs overweight on the tandems, all the way back. Made it no problem. God has a special place in his heart for idiots.

 

Just to clarify, they don’t have to be all the way forward for Idaho, you only have to meet the offtrack requirement for the highway you’re on. If you’re in a typical aero truck with 230” or so WB you wouldn’t have to be all the way forward to make 5.5 offtrack. Most people just go all the way forward because it’s easy and they allow extra weight.