tow vehicle and rv length

[PapaE]

Originally Posted by MtnGuy

Wow, I had no idea some states were at 60', and DC and Maryland at 55'.

Trailer Life Directory

So much for us recommending long wheelbased TVs for long trailers.

Plead negligence.

Saw the Mississippi listing, in the link, for "2-vehicle combined limit" of 53' and was concerned since I am over the 53' they show. I contacted Mississippi Highway Patrol and was told that a trailer can't exceed 53' but my combined 54' 9" is legal. The answer was from:

Randy C. Ginn, Lieutenant Colonel
Mississippi Highway Patrol
Enforcement Division
P.O. Box 958
Jackson, MS 39205
601-987-1495

and he said:

In regard to your question concerning maximum length of a trailer, Section 63-5-19 (2) of the Mississippi Code of 1972 addresses this specifically. This statute states that no semi-trailer or trailer can exceed 53 feet. The length of all vehicles, single or combination, is also addressed within this statute. The length of your trailer stated in your email is within the permissible length by statute. I hope that this answers your question.

You can read the entire statute at the link below;
http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/mscode/

[wbdavey]

Many states including New York require a recreational vehicle endorsement on your drivers license if the combined gross vehicle weight rating (rating, not actual weight) is over 26,000 pounds. Most big motor homes and duallys towing big 5th wheels are over 26,000 pounds total. My previous rig was a Ram 3500 dually towing a 43' KZ Stoneridge toy hauler. Gross weight ratings totaled about 29,000 pounds. So I took the road test and got the "R" endorsement. Not hard, but a PITA when they made me parallel park a 43' trailer!

How many RV dealers even know or will inform a customer that to legally drive their new Megabus 40' MH they need a special license?

[boomeradf]

Originally Posted by B47

Shouldn't this information be required to be posted at each RV dealer as well as being afixed to the RV unit so every RV buyer knows there are limits in the various states?

Thats not practical nor the responsibility of the dealer. I have to peel enough stickers off my new rv I don't need a poster to peel.

I am right around 52' feet which doesn't bother me but the 12ish feet in height makes some of the FS roads and campgrounds here in ID fun.

[packrat48]

every time i'm south Carolina my rv gps tells me I am over length if I remember right it is 53 ft in sc I;m around 58 total

[dwayneb236]

As a police officer for 25 years the length of a TV and RV would not be a concern to me at all. As the other officer posted earlier there are many more offenses that we think are more important to deal with first. I have personally never even had to stop an RV in my career. And I sure don't carry a tape around to measure. If it came up I would just guesstimate it and tell em they were just under the limit. As police officers we do have a bit of latitude on what and when we can cite people for. Warnings work just fine, for some...

[PhoneDude 8289]

What if we are of legal length / weight in our home registered state and unknowingly cross into or camp in a state with shorter length / weight limits such as California, will CHP or any other state honor our states length limit?

[PapaE]

Originally Posted by packrat48

every time i'm south Carolina my rv gps tells me I am over length if I remember right it is 53 ft in sc I;m around 58 total

I wonder if 53' is really the limit.

I saw references to this limit for Mississippi, followed up with their Highway Patrol, and they said it was 53' limit for trailer not combined truck/trailer... see my post... 4 above yours. I may follow up with South Carolina Highway Patrol later to see what they say... since I live in Georgia and may go either direction.

[Big Red and 30WR]

Originally Posted by PhoneDude 8289

What if we are of legal length / weight in our home registered state and unknowingly cross into or camp in a state with shorter length / weight limits such as California, will CHP or any other state honor our states length limit?

I think they would honor it, So go have fun and don`t let it bother you.

[SaskCampers]

Originally Posted by PhoneDude 8289

What if we are of legal length / weight in our home registered state and unknowingly cross into or camp in a state with shorter length / weight limits such as California, will CHP or any other state honor our states length limit?

I would suggest to you that it is your responsibility to know the laws in the areas you plan on RVing through and if there is an area of concern contact the local authorities in that jurisdiction and get a lawful answer that you print out and carry with you. Owning an RV has responsibilities and that is one of the many.

[mikeysotp]

Originally Posted by PapaE

I wonder if 53' is really the limit.

I saw references to this limit for Mississippi, followed up with their Highway Patrol, and they said it was 53' limit for trailer not combined truck/trailer... see my post... 4 above yours. I may follow up with South Carolina Highway Patrol later to see what they say... since I live in Georgia and may go either direction.

53' is a common trailer length. I'm sure that is what they are referring to.

[Tfort]

If I am not mistaken I thought that 53' was max semi trailer length and 65 was max total length. My uncle drives a trucks and said he cannot pull a full length trailer with his sleeper cab because it would be over the 65' max.


2000 F250 CC 4x4 7.3L diesel

15 Salem Hemisphere Lite356QB

[jerky]

Originally Posted by Tfort

If I am not mistaken I thought that 53' was max semi trailer length and 65 was max total length. My uncle drives a trucks and said he cannot pull a full length trailer with his sleeper cab because it would be over the 65' max.


2000 F250 CC 4x4 7.3L diesel

15 Salem Hemisphere Lite356QB

53 is max trailer length, 65 total don't sound right, that's only a ten feet tractor, most day cabs are longer then that, so any sleeper is gonna be. I don't really think there is a max combined length, trailer length is for kingpin to center of front axle lengths, for figuring up bridge formulas, there are some really long sleeper trucks running down the roads


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[MacGumbo]

Originally Posted by PhoneDude 8289

What if we are of legal length / weight in our home registered state and unknowingly cross into or camp in a state with shorter length / weight limits such as California, will CHP or any other state honor our states length limit?

Just as having a concealed carry permit. In some states it doesn't matter that you have one, it is still illegal to conceal in theirs. The "ignorance of the law is no excuse" will always apply. Well at least for the next dozen years or so.

[Tfort]

Originally Posted by jerky

53 is max trailer length, 65 total don't sound right, that's only a ten feet tractor, most day cabs are longer then that, so any sleeper is gonna be. I don't really think there is a max combined length, trailer length is for kingpin to center of front axle lengths, for figuring up bridge formulas, there are some really long sleeper trucks running down the roads


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

That is kinda what I am saying. He cannot tow a 53' with his sleeper. You also have to account for the trailer hitching up probably 6' at least which will take some of the length down. Take a 50' trailer and hitch it to a 20' tractor and you've got a 64-65' total length because of the hitch point.


2000 F250 CC 4x4 7.3L diesel

15 Salem Hemisphere Lite356QB

[DocGTO]

65ft in Florida.