Ocean Mist wrote:
msmith1199 wrote:
Ocean Mist wrote:
Oh yes, I remember...In the vehicle code, it talks about 40' being Ok in California. Let's say for example, we take the Newmar 4002 model. In the description it indicates that it is 40'9" Does this mean I'm subject to the over 40 foot rule?
45' Motorhomes (Greater than 40' up to 45')
DEFINITIONS
45' Motorhome: On this web page, a 45' motorhome refers to a single-unit motorhome that is longer than 40 feet but not more than 45 feet. (Note: A vehicle combination, e.g. a motorhome towing a vehicle or trailer, may be up to 65 feet length. If the single-unit motorhome is 40 feet or less in length, the combination is not subject to the route restrictions for the 45' motorhome.)
Yes, if you go to 40'1" then you may as well go to 45' as the rules would be the same. And I'd have to look it up but I'm pretty sure the measurement is bumper to bumper and doesn't include things such as ladders and mirrors. And it is the actual length according to the tape measure, not the length the motorhome is registered as being.
Now the above bumper to bumper measurement is for the drivers license requirement. When you look at the length on the road requirement for restrictions on the road, the measurement I think still doesn't include mirrors or ladders, but does include any cargo. So for example if you hang a bike rack off the back of your 40' motorhome then technically you could not drive on roads that are restricted to 40 foot max vehicles. Now I have no idea how strict that would be enforced for something like a bike rack on a motorhome, but it is what the law says. A towed vehicle or trailer doesn't add to that length (65' still applies there) but cargo does.
Thanks for the info! That's what i thought but you confirmed it. Great info about the Bike rack and any other things attached to the rig. WEll, I'm sure if if they can charge you for violating a restriction they will, so i will try to stay at the 40' Measured...lol Wait till i break out the tape measure when i'm buying a new coach...
I doubt you would get in trouble over a bike rack. The only reason I even know that is the law is because somebody here wrote how they took a 43 foot motorhome over Sonora Pass (Highway 108). I mentioned to them they weren't supposed to do that, and as it turned out their motorhome was actually a 39'6" motorhome, but they had a cargo box attached to the hitch that made it 43' so they thought it was okay because CHP told them they did not need a Class B license. So I looked it all up and found out they were right, no Class B required as the motorhome was under 40' and cargo doesn't count, but they weren't allowed on the restricted road because the measurement for that law included any cargo attached to and overhanging the vehicle. I can't imagine CHP getting too picky over a bike rack or cargo container.
