8'6" width concerns

I take it that you made it thru the 10' without hitting anything. Imagine that! 102" wide instead of 96" would only mean you'd have 9" per side instead of 12". you likely still wouldn't hit anything or even come close unless you aren't really as good a driver as you think you are. BTW, your mirrors must have even missed hitting anything also but you didn't mention that and they are over 102" total width on about any towing 2500 or 3500 SRW or DRW pickup. If they weren't, you couldn't even see around the 96" trailer. Go measure yours when set to tow.

Couple of years ago drove over a mile in construction zone in a one lane 10' wide. The 12 " on each side looked like very close in our 96" wide H H

Has anyone ever heard of a 5th wheel being stopped and checked/ticketed for being over 96"?

As far as I know the 8' max width is still law in many places. I assumed that's what the OP was referring too; not people's preference but are they actually being hassled by police about being over-wide.
I would think most average police officers don't care to stop and measure you but DOT cops might. If you plan on traveling where 8' width is max (mostly eastern states) I would think long and hard about getting a trailer wider than that.

What about the law?

Some sources say the maximum width is 96" for some states (NH) . Some states are listed as 96" max., but 102" is allowed on certain federal highways (NJ, NY).

Does anyone know if these laws have been changed or if the info is wrong?

Some sources:
2011 Driving Laws for the US and Canada
see NH, NJ, NY at above link.

AAA Digest of Motor Laws
see NY, AL, AZ, GA, WV and look at "Trailer Dimensions"

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New York State Police - House Coach (RV’s)

see 2/3 the way down the page, "House Coach (RV’s)", excerpt:

"Q. How wide can my house coach be?

96 inches on all highways in NY or 102 inches on qualifying or access highway in NY plus an awning as follows:

The vehicle is used for non-commercial purposes and
The awning and support hardware is at least 71/2 feet off the ground and
The awning and support hardware extends 6” or less from the body on the passenger side and 4” or less from the body on the drivers side

Q. Do these width requirements apply to a RV fifth wheel trailer?

Yes provided as follows:

The trailer is designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational camping or travel
Not to exceed 400 square feet in the set up mode
Used for non-commercial use."
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The 2013 Good Sam RV Travel Guide & Campground Directory on page 140 list 15 states with a maximum width of 8'.

I hope this is old and outdated info. I would like to include wide body trailers in my RV shopping.

So ... what say you? Does anybody have a link that shows these 96" max width laws for some states have been changed?

This is our 5th season with our 102" wide 5ver....never had a problem while traveling...wouldn't give up those 6 extra inches...however, I can tell the difference with my truck's mirrors....but, it's not bad.

..and yes, I have calculated all that extra space I gain.

The widest you can be per fed DOT is 102". I would'nt be with out on
Steve:B

travelnutz wrote:
Why, pray tell, would a width of 102" (8-1/2') VS 96" (8') matter when on the road or in a CG? A whopping 6.25% wider total or 3.12% added to each side) is all it is. Does anyone in their right mind come within 3" (3" are added on to each side of the RV) of another vehicle's side when traveling/driving/passing? Is an additional 6" of total width enough to prevent camping in a site? 10' between is way too close for us and would keep the RV wheels turning for greener pastures. I hardly doubt 6" would even be a marginal concern factor!

On the other hand, that 6" added width is 6" more usable space inside from the floor to the ceiling and for the entire length of the RV. Mathematically speaking, it adds 105 cubic feet of usable living space added to the inside of a 30' long X 7' high RV. Like about the same as a 2'+ longer RV at 8' wide. Also, the added 6" of RV width will normally allow usage/passage to areas of the RV when the slides are in that can't be used in an 8' width RV.

We'd take an 8-1/2' wide RV any day over an 8' width. Hard to imagine that some RV's are only 7' wide and a few are 6' to 6-1/2' wide. Gives us chills just thinking about RV life packed in a tube shaped sardine can!

I was going to say pretty much the same thing, but not go into this much detail.

That extra 6" gives you a lot of interior space.

Suppose you only had 6" clearance on a side in a construction site with the 102" trailer. If you decrease the overall width to 96" you get 50% more clearance on a side. Another way of looking at it. :)

Why, pray tell, would a width of 102" (8-1/2') VS 96" (8') matter when on the road or in a CG? A whopping 6.25% wider total or 3.12% added to each side) is all it is. Does anyone in their right mind come within 3" (3" are added on to each side of the RV) of another vehicle's side when traveling/driving/passing? Is an additional 6" of total width enough to prevent camping in a site? 10' between is way too close for us and would keep the RV wheels turning for greener pastures. I hardly doubt 6" would even be a marginal concern factor!

On the other hand, that 6" added width is 6" more usable space inside from the floor to the ceiling and for the entire length of the RV. Mathematically speaking, it adds 105 cubic feet of usable living space added to the inside of a 30' long X 7' high RV. Like about the same as a 2'+ longer RV at 8' wide. Also, the added 6" of RV width will normally allow usage/passage to areas of the RV when the slides are in that can't be used in an 8' width RV.

We'd take an 8-1/2' wide RV any day over an 8' width. Hard to imagine that some RV's are only 7' wide and a few are 6' to 6-1/2' wide. Gives us chills just thinking about RV life packed in a tube shaped sardine can!