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Mtdickinson's avatar
Mtdickinson
Explorer
Feb 17, 2019

Towing regulations

A lot of states have length regulations on trailers. Has anyone had issues while pulling a 40+ foot rig through a state that has a 40 foot max law?
  • I can't speak to all states but I can tell you that Maryland has rules for combinations over 55'.

    Maryland State Highway, Motor Carrier Division, Technical Support Manager wrote:
    Noncommercial power unit and travel trailer combination may be up to 65 feet BUT anything over 55 feet is required to be on specific routes:

    1. Interstate system
    2. State routes considered authorized "truck routes"
    3. Shortest practical route between designated highways and:
    a. point of origin and destination on a particular day.
    b. for a distance not to exceed 1 mile, facilities for food, fuel, repairs or rest.

    Transportation article 24.104.1.m


    So, my guess is that it depends on the state.
  • Mtdickinson wrote:
    Total trailer length is 44’ from rear to king pin. The wrong “public safety officer” could have fun with this on a bad day. Total length is under 65’, I was just curious if anyone out there has had any problems. Not many states post a legal trailer length over 40’.



    Its not the length of the trailer is the issue its the total length of tow truck and trailer together, if its under 65 foot total as you say than you are OK in most states, however I have seen folks towing over the length without issues for years.

    However towing something that big and getting around in tight campgrounds and such might be a issue..

    Here is a link to towing lengths and weights in all states.

    http://www.hitchemup.com/statetowinglaws.htm
  • I would not lose any sleep over it. Towing doubles is the thing that gets their attention.
  • Total trailer length is 44’ from rear to king pin. The wrong “public safety officer” could have fun with this on a bad day. Total length is under 65’, I was just curious if anyone out there has had any problems. Not many states post a legal trailer length over 40’.
  • Mtdickinson wrote:
    A lot of states have length regulations on trailers. Has anyone had issues while pulling a 40+ foot rig through a state that has a 40 foot max law?



    I don't think 40 foot is a issue unless your in some inner cities and such, on the open road 40 foot is legal all over, usually its over 65 foot that is a issue in some states on the roads..


    What is the total length of the trailer and truck towing is what you need to look at, measure from front bumper of truck to back bumper of trailer, its best to be at or under 65 foot.
  • If there's safety in numbers, dealers are selling this size all over the country and folks are using them all over. Tandem towing has restrictions that vary widely.
  • So if you don’t get caught and cited, or the chances are low, it’s ok to violate another state’s laws?

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