Did California change its towing laws?

time2roll wrote:

ktmrfs wrote:
Then there is the definition of a passenger vehicle.....A 3/4 ton truck is still designed and sold to carry passengers? And/or are there passengers on board? so how does California define passenger vehicle? probably varies from state to state. I could see pickup, especially a crew cab or extended cab being legally classified as a passenger vehicle.

Virtually all trucks are registered as trucks with a different number sequence and an additional weight fee on the annual registration. Can register a PU as a car and skip the weight fee but then if anything is carried in the bed there can be a citation.

registration is one thing. traffic regulations another. Vehicle mfg classification yet another. For instance, is your pickup, as a "truck" required to follow truck speed limits? In most states the answer is NO! In fact my SUV is classified by mfg as a TRUCK, but state registration is as a passenger vehicle and likewise for following traffic regulations.

In oregon the "truck" speed limit only applies to comercial vehicles even when towing. A truck (pickup) is considered a passenger vehicle even when towing regarding speed limits, not a truck UNLESS it is towing comercially. If the tow vehicle is something designed for twoing and not normally carrying passengers, then you must also follow truck speed limits. For example towing a 5th wheel with a converted class 8
.
Our son works for state parks and went through lots of training regarding traffic regulations while driving for the state especially since he is often towing a trailer with his work "truck".

Other states require someone towing, no matter what the configuration is to follow truck speed limits.

Then there is california's "3 axles or more" such that most motor homes follow car speed limit, but if you have a tag axle, 55

My pickup is indeed registed as a truck, but at least here there is NO additional fee vs. a passenger car, nor any "weight" based fees.