2014 Florida Statute on Double Towing

Francesca Knowles wrote:

GrumpyandGrandma wrote:

As I stated above then anybody who buys a 40'1" or longer FW cannot tow it in the states that have a 40' limit on trailers. And there are tons of those FW's on the road as well as 19 states with the 40' limit. Also stay out of NC they only allow 35'..

I think that trailer "length" is tug rear bumper to trailer rear bumper, and presumes a bumper pull. Combined length, usually 60-65 feet, is likely what governs fifth wheel towing...wouldn't even the biggest fiver/pickup combinations fall within sixty feet or so total?

A 45' FW being pulled by a crew cab truck, 8' bed would be around 62' to 63'. Also what about the ones being pulled by a non-commercial semi tractor. Colorado, Georgia, Illinois and Indiana are 4 states, just ot name a couple with a 60' max. So there has to be some kind of reciprocity other than for a driverss license.

GrumpyandGrandma wrote:

As I stated above then anybody who buys a 40'1" or longer FW cannot tow it in the states that have a 40' limit on trailers. And there are tons of those FW's on the road as well as 19 states with the 40' limit. Also stay out of NC they only allow 35'..

I think that trailer "length" is tug rear bumper to trailer rear bumper, and presumes a bumper pull. Combined length, usually 60-65 feet, is likely what governs fifth wheel towing...wouldn't even the biggest fiver/pickup combinations fall within sixty feet or so total?

Bumpyroad wrote:

GrumpyandGrandma wrote:
The reason I did is we are switching to a FW and double towing is legal in OHIO and everybody says that reciprocity kicks in.

everybody who says that is wrong. of that there is NO confusion.
bumpy

As I stated above then anybody who buys a 40'1" or longer FW cannot tow it in the states that have a 40' limit on trailers. And there are tons of those FW's on the road as well as 19 states with the 40' limit. Also stay out of NC they only allow 35'..

GrumpyandGrandma wrote:
The reason I did is we are switching to a FW and double towing is legal in OHIO and everybody says that reciprocity kicks in.

everybody who says that is wrong. of that there is NO confusion.
bumpy

Francesca Knowles wrote:

GrumpyandGrandma wrote:
........snip......... double towing is legal in OHIO and everybody says that reciprocity kicks in.

If by reciprocity you mean the concept that States must honor other States' rules:

It's my understanding that this concept operates only when it comes to licensing requirements. Equipment-related restrictions are up to each State to decide, and all persons using their roads must comply regardless of the rules in the driver's State of Residence.

But that is the confusion. As I mentioned in my previous post. There are numerous states where the law says 40' trailer max and many, many fifth-wheels are as long as 45-46'. Indiana is a state with that law and the majority of FW are made in Northern Indiana. :h The same for legal length, 60' in Indiana but double towing is allowed at 65'. So the FW's made in Elkhart can't be towed out of the state.

Indiana Road Laws

Size Limitations: Height, 13'6"; Width, 8'6", Trailer Length, 40' ; Motorhome Length, 45'; Combined Length, 60'. Triple towing is allowed if the total maximum length does not exceed 65'.

GrumpyandGrandma wrote:
........snip......... double towing is legal in OHIO and everybody says that reciprocity kicks in.

If by reciprocity you mean the concept that States must honor other States' rules:

It's my understanding that this concept operates only when it comes to licensing requirements. Equipment-related restrictions are up to each State to decide, and all persons using their roads must comply regardless of the rules in the driver's State of Residence.

JEBar wrote:
I believe folks will find that double towing is illegal in most every state touching the Atlantic .... further, its legal in most every state from there to the left coast .... this is really one area where the feds need to step in and make it legal in every state or illegal in every state .... to me it should fall under interstate provisions where a person's license is legal everywhere, as is their inspection sticker, license plate and such

Jim

I would respectfully disagree. You give a blanket statement that double tow should be legal everywhere or nowhere.
Double tow is legal in NJ but only on certain highways.
Let's face it the roads here in the Northeast are narrow and congested. Not a good combo for double towing.

Now Nebraska, wide open.

Wadcutter wrote:

Sorry but double tow is not a reciprocity issue. People who throw out the word reciprocity rarely have any idea what they're talking about when it comes to the law.

What about LEGAL length per state does that not figure in either? If no then there are a lot of illegal people using the roads since some states only allow 40' and there are many FW that exceed 40'. The same for total length. Numerous states still only allow 60', our neighbor in the middle INDIANA being one.

I believe folks will find that double towing is illegal in most every state touching the Atlantic .... further, its legal in most every state from there to the left coast .... this is really one area where the feds need to step in and make it legal in every state or illegal in every state .... to me it should fall under interstate provisions where a person's license is legal everywhere, as is their inspection sticker, license plate and such

Jim

ogfalconsr wrote:

Wadcutter wrote:

ogfalconsr wrote:

Well said Francesca. I was hoping there would be some Floridian somewhere whom would be fed up with that double tow limitation and throw the gauntlet down. I've also reached out to the Florida Highway Patrol for an explanation. Whether I get one or not is another story entirely.

What do you expect FHP to respond? You already know double tow is against FL state statutes. Are you asking them why it's not legal? If so you're asking the wrong place. FHP and any police agency does not vote on what laws are on the books. Remember your high school civics. The legislature passes the laws and the governor signs or vetoes them. A police agency does not sit in the legislature or vote on the laws. All FHP can tell you is if something is or isn't a law. If you want to know the 'why' then you'll have to ask someone in the legislature. Arguing with FHP what you think the law should be is nothing they can do anything about. Talk to the legislature. They're the only ones who can make a law.

Do not make assumptions as to what is in folks minds, they (assumptions) could expose you to ridicule. I decided to start with the highway patrol first. We'll see how things progress from there. The legislature is probably left to a Florida resident.

What I gave you was not an assumption. I spent over 42 yrs in LE including a number of years answering questions from the public concerning the laws. When they didn't get the answer they wanted it was always followed up with either "Why?" or "I don't agree with that."
You know double tow is illegal in FL. Asking FHP "why?" won't get you the answer you want to hear.

GrumpyandGrandma wrote:

Wadcutter wrote:

What do you expect FHP to respond? You already know double tow is against FL state statutes.

As I stated in my other post the word "reciprocity is the key. Some states require a Class "B" CDL for any motorhome with air brakes, Calif for one also some states only allow 40' trailers with no seperation between bumper tow and FW and there are many FW's that are over 40'. So many people would be illegal in many states if they travel.

Sorry but double tow is not a reciprocity issue. People who throw out the word reciprocity rarely have any idea what they're talking about when it comes to the law.