8'6" width concerns

I am told that 8 feet is the max in Texas and when I asked how does that work with a few RVs being 8 and 1/2 feet. I was told that they are listed as 8 feet on the title and no one asks any more questions. I have never met anyone who has ever had an issue, even with the DPS.

That hasn't been a problem that I know of since 1970.:S

An extra 3 inches (from center-line) in trailer width may be noticed in a tight turn. -Assuming a fifth wheel- Check your king pin to back of cab distance.

fj12ryder wrote:
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. :)

In the scenerio you give, you would not be allowed on that road with a trailer wider than 8'. in fact, it would be closed it would seem.For what its worth, a standard low boy trailer can be 8' to 8'6. Any wider than 8'6 and you better have your oversize load flags on and the red flags where needed and a D.O.T. premit. I doubt you would run into a situation where loads 8'6" are prohibited but if there was a restriction, I beleive it would be 10 ft or wider, other than that there might be a restriction for oversized loads and 8'6 wide is not an oversized load. Several years ago I was taking a wide load thru Omaha and they were doing construction on the interstate. I was routed by the DOT around the construction. It was a 10 ft restriction and my load was pusing 10ft wide and I got my permit at that width. I missed my exit around the road work and was left with no choice but to go thru the contruction site. I went thru with the flow of traffic and had no problems and I had a 5 axle trailer so I was long as well as wide. What I did was against the law but I had no choice and nowhere to turn around. I didnt get caught but it just reaffirmed that you get some grace on measurments on overhead bridges and narrow bridges and such but doesnt mean you can violate the law. But an 8'6 trailer or RV wouldnt bother me on a standard road way whether in cg or on the road. I guess my confidence is higher than some but I have driven proffessionally and many ,many oversized loads on diferent road construction sites

I'm really surprised that some posters think the extra 6" doesn't make a difference. Of course it does usually when manoeuvring around branches, utility posts, etc. in campgrounds.

Length is usually a bigger issue (pun intended).

Having said that, if you're a good driver, you'll be able to handle it. If you're a bad driver, you won't think it makes any difference.

Splashers3 wrote:
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.

HAHAHAHAhahahahahaha....... you are funny!! 102" huh? 2009 Cedar Creek Silverback, GII, 32 WRL, Right! ;)

YOU ARE MISSING AN INCH!!! It's only 8'5" !!

My TH is 102",and at times I had the side ladder on it,adding about 6" more to the width on the curb side. Never a problem,but was tight in construction areas.

3" is not much on each side.

neither is 1/4" much, unless it's on the end of your nose.

My GM '04.5 OEM mirrors measure 112.5" end of mirror housing to end of mirror housing when extended and they have never hit anything but BUGS and plenty of them in 140K+ miles!

You are only 3" (probably less) wider on each side. Big deal. Do you think you would even notice??

B.O.