Over 40 ft Trailers and State Laws

Discuss with others about towing. What is the best tow vehicle, hitches, brake controllers, etc, keeping in mind that everybody has his/her favorite.

Moderator: Mike Clay

Post Reply
User avatar
ghpettengill
Posts: 123
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:39 pm
Location: Maple Valley Washington
Cardinal Owners: Gary and Holly

2014 3850RL (after 8/10/13)
2008 Chev 3500 D/A Dually Crew Cab
Location: Washington TriCities

Over 40 ft Trailers and State Laws

Post by ghpettengill »

As a follow along with the towing a boat thread, I was wondering... After looking through the state towing laws, I notifcied that some states have a 40' max trailer length. Has anyone with an over 40' trailer had any issues?

I also noticed that OR has a 50' max total length, and a 65 foot two vehicle length, this one is a little confusing. Thanks.

Gary
Gary, Holly, Daniel, Steven,
and Penny (Golden Retriever)

2014 3850RL, Merlot Full Paint, Disc Brakes
2008 Chevy 3500 Duramax Crewcab Dually
User avatar
BMullins46
Posts: 1569
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:45 pm
Location: Texas Lubbock
Cardinal Owners: 06 Cardinal 31RKT; 2016 XLR 385AMP
2012 Ford F350 DRW, Lariat 6.7 Diesel.
Location: Texas Lubbock

Re: Over 40 ft Trailers and State Laws

Post by BMullins46 »

Strange they would make it a 40' max trailer length since most semi-trailer rigs are now pulling 53' trailers now. I think the 65' max 2 vehicle length is almost universal, which makes it puzzeling at to how the commercial guys can pull doubles and/or tripples.
Bill & Debbie
06 31RKT, MorRyde LRE/4000; 2016 XLR 385AMP
2012 F350 DRW 4X2 Lariat, 6.7 Diesel, TransferFlow aux fuel tank
Fur babies, Betty and Cocoa
Nights camping
2011-102; '12-111; '13-89; '14-108; '15-142; '16-92; '17-163; '18-81
User avatar
sew2bhappy
Posts: 2482
Joined: Fri Nov 12, 2010 11:07 am
Location: Oklahoma Oklahoma City
Cardinal Owners: 2013 Cardinal 3030 5th wheel
Location: Oklahoma Oklahoma City (base) and wherever the weather is better

Re: Over 40 ft Trailers and State Laws

Post by sew2bhappy »

I have done some research on this by going to the specific states' statutes/laws. Almost all states have different laws for commercial vehicles (truck, bus, van, etc.) vs personal vehicles (cars, pickups. RVs). So a limit placed on a recreational vehicle would be different than one on a commercial vehicle. Commercial vehicles themselves are licensed/tagged differently then personal/recreational vehicles and drivers have different licensing requirements.

Researching laws is something I love to do! I used to have to do a lot of research on laws in California. :-B Before the days of internet, I could spend hours in a law library (and even after internet simply because I loved the look and feel of all those law books open on a large table!). Guess I should have been a lawyer :d
Millie Plato (married to Rplato)
2013 Cardinal 3030RS
1998 Volvo VNL610
2009 SmartCar-Bitsy
Nights out in
2018 - 93
...2015/16/17 - full time
...2011/14 - 719
National Rallies - 6
Regional Rallies - 10
FROG - 4
User avatar
Mike Clay
Council, Administrator
Posts: 13245
Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:53 am
Location: Oregon Gresham
Cardinal Owners: 2016 3850RL Estate
Skype ID: Mike-Clay
Location: Oregon Gresham

Re: Over 40 ft Trailers and State Laws

Post by Mike Clay »

ghpettengill wrote:As a follow along with the towing a boat thread, I was wondering... After looking through the state towing laws, I notifcied that some states have a 40' max trailer length. Has anyone with an over 40' trailer had any issues?

I also noticed that OR has a 50' max total length, and a 65 foot two vehicle length, this one is a little confusing. Thanks.

Gary
A lot of things in Oregon are confusing =)) I think the best thing to do is call the state DMV. The laws are all over the place and its hard to determine what is for RV and what is commercial. Some states call it doubles (which is what it is) and others call it triple towing. @-)
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32

Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
jrshuman

Re: Over 40 ft Trailers and State Laws

Post by jrshuman »

My Trailer is 40'9". Attached to the truck I'm about 64' and 32".... No one has said a word to me about a problem thru Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana so far this year...
User avatar
teallen
Posts: 3222
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:47 pm
Location: Michigan Battle Creek,
Cardinal Owners: 2012 3030
Skype ID: thomas.allen511
Location: Michigan Battle Creek,

Re: Over 40 ft Trailers and State Laws

Post by teallen »

sew2bhappy wrote:I have done some research on this by going to the specific states' statutes/laws. Almost all states have different laws for commercial vehicles (truck, bus, van, etc.) vs personal vehicles (cars, pickups. RVs). So a limit placed on a recreational vehicle would be different than one on a commercial vehicle. Commercial vehicles themselves are licensed/tagged differently then personal/recreational vehicles and drivers have different licensing requirements.

Researching laws is something I love to do! I used to have to do a lot of research on laws in California. :-B Before the days of internet, I could spend hours in a law library (and even after internet simply because I loved the look and feel of all those law books open on a large table!). Guess I should have been a lawyer :d
You are correct Millie. Commercial lengths are different from Recreational trailers
Tom and Judy
2012 Cardinal 3030RS ("le Chateau")
2018 RAM 3500
9 grandkids (keeps us busy)
Rallys attended - 17
2019 Camping Days- 7
Camping Days - 2011 - 90, 2012 - 144, 2013 - 130, 2014 - 130, 2015 - 107
User avatar
Mike Clay
Council, Administrator
Posts: 13245
Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:53 am
Location: Oregon Gresham
Cardinal Owners: 2016 3850RL Estate
Skype ID: Mike-Clay
Location: Oregon Gresham

Re: Over 40 ft Trailers and State Laws

Post by Mike Clay »

jrshuman wrote:My Trailer is 40'9". Attached to the truck I'm about 64' and 32".... No one has said a word to me about a problem thru Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana so far this year...
Your 10' (feet) longer then mine Im at 56.8 feet. Helps having that extra 22 inches hanging over the pin sitting inside my truck
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32

Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
Post Reply