California Maximum 5th Wheel Length

According to the California Dept of Transportation, it is indeed a valid rule. Please read the attached summary sheet.

Vehicle Length

Jim

Probably a good rule and makes sense...I'd want a third axle for anything over 40 feet.

They seem to be talking about King Pin To Rear Axle (KPRA) distance which would shave a foot or two off the nose-cone length and all of the trailer behind the rear axle. So the permitted trailer length would exceed the 38 or 40 ft limit by quite a lot. 6 or 8 feet or more maybe.

As for 3 axles the limit is specified for "2 or more axles" so adding an axle wouldn't add any permitted length.

i've always heard that the "overall" length can't exceed 65'.


Ron

It is 65' total.

A vehicle length and a combined vehicle length are different. The OP asked about a vehicle length.

My state says a RV trailer can have a 40' length including the hitch and coupling. I see some state have a 42' max length for a single RV vehicle. Number of axles makes no difference.

And 65' truck/trailer combination.

The OP seems concerned about pulling RV trailers over 40'. Like all else about pulling a RV...... dot or leo or whatever the case may be, isn't interested unless your way over length or you've done something to attract their attention.

35400.6. (a) Subdivision (a) of Section 35400 does not apply to a
fifth-wheel travel trailer that does not exceed the following
lengths:
(1) Forty-eight feet in length from the foremost point of the
trailer to the rear extremity of the trailer.
(2) (A) For a fifth-wheel travel trailer with a single axle, 38
feet in length from the kingpin to the rearmost axle.
(B) For a fifth-wheel travel trailer with two or more axles, 40
feet in length from the kingpin to the rearmost axle.
(b) A manufacturer of a fifth-wheel travel trailer described by
subdivision (a) shall include in the delivery documents the
information necessary to register that fifth-wheel travel trailer,
including its overall length pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision
(a) and a declaration that its length is in compliance with
subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision
(a). The dealer may reject acceptance of the fifth-wheel travel
trailer if this documentation is not provided.

Certain roads in CA have even tighter length restrictions.

as I read it, it says from the king pin to the rearmost axel, not the rear of the 5th wheel

I know California allows double tow if the state your licensed allows it. Does anyone know for a FACT if WA State or Oregon allow it? I am licensed South Dakota.

My understanding 65' is MAX OA length in CA.

I am considering renting a U Haul Motorcycle trailer and hauling my new MC to WA for the Summer.