Maximum Driving Length and License

[rookie_rv]

Rookie RVer here :C I want to know what the rules / law is regarding maximum driving length, and if specific driver's license required.

After years, and years of begging I finally got permission to upgrade from the family's financial adviser. One idea is to get a toy hauler. The other idea is to get a Class A and a 16ft trailer (hold two ATVs). Do you know if there's a special driver's license requirement for......let's say.......a 30ft Class A towing a 16ft trailer?

Where would I start to research this?

[JaxDad]

Tom/Barb wrote:
I wonder when people here will realize that speed limits and weight limits are different than equipment requirements.

So you're saying each state CAN dictate how much a vehicle, or combination of vehicles can weigh, and how fast they can travel, but NOT how long they can be?

Curious that.

[Tom_Barb]

I wonder when people here will realize that speed limits and weight limits are different than equipment requirements.

[discovery4us]

rookie_rv wrote:
Rookie RVer here :C I want to know what the rules / law is regarding maximum driving length, and if specific driver's license required.

After years, and years of begging I finally got permission to upgrade from the family's financial adviser. One idea is to get a toy hauler. The other idea is to get a Class A and a 16ft trailer (hold two ATVs). Do you know if there's a special driver's license requirement for......let's say.......a 30ft Class A towing a 16ft trailer?

Where would I start to research this?

I am not familiar with RV laws in Texas so can't help with that but at 30' MH and 16' trailer plus tongue you are only going to be in the 50 - 52 foot range and well under having length concerns.

Having had TC and trailer, TH, MH and trailer, doubles with FW and trailer I can say they all have their pros and cons.

I loved my TH but at 40' it became cumberson. I would do a TH again just shorter.
Doubles allowed me to bring everything or just the FW or just the trailer for the toys. Would use this again for bondocking out in the desert but this combination was a hassle in campgrounds.
MH with trailer for the toys is easy travel and setup but leaves me without a car to go for supplies or just into town for dinner.
TC and trailer was my personal favorite but the DW thought it was too cramped and didn't like the bed situation.
Currently we are using MH and tow a truck with the toys in the bed. This gives the ease and comfort of the MH, the truck to haul the toys to camp and also allows us to run to town in the truck.

[JaxDad]

Bumpyroad wrote:
slightly off topic, I see units identified with 53 ft on the side. I "assume" that is the maximum length allowed but I would assume that even with that on the side, they might get measured at weigh stations anyway?
bumpy

The "53 ft" you see on the side of a trailer is the length of the trailer itself. It is to make it simple to differentiate between 48' and 53' trailers. This not only affects length limits but loading too, a 53' trailer can take 4 skids more than a 48' trailer.

[JaxDad]

Passin Thru wrote:
JAXDAD, You are wrong and I can prove it. The length limit in every state in the US on Interstates is 65 feet for boat trailers. Tractor trailer don't even have length limits according to DOT. We were 70 ft long a with our Peterbilt and a 53 ft trailer and No one questioned us.

https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/Freight/sw/overview/index.htm

Wow, that's so much wrong info I'm not even sure where to start!!

First of all, the page you linked is titled "COMMERCIAL vehicle size and weight program", a motorhome, TT or 5'er is NOT a commercial vehicle.

There is NO FEDERAL length limit, minimum yes, but not maximum, on trailers, it's left up to individual STATES to do so, this is what I've been saying all along. States do NOT have the authority to impose their laws on another State, Florida can't tell Georgia what to do.

Finally, not getting questioned means nothing except nobody cared. By that logic if I drive 75 in a 65 zone and nobody stops me it MUST mean that the speed limit is not really 65.

[Bumpyroad]

slightly off topic, I see units identified with 53 ft on the side. I "assume" that is the maximum length allowed but I would assume that even with that on the side, they might get measured at weigh stations anyway?
bumpy

[Passin_Thru]

JAXDAD, You are wrong and I can prove it. The length limit in every state in the US on Interstates is 65 feet for boat trailers. Tractor trailer don't even have length limits according to DOT. We were 70 ft long a with our Peterbilt and a 53 ft trailer and No one questioned us.

https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/Freight/sw/overview/index.htm

[xctraveler]

Tom/Barb wrote:

xctraveler wrote:
Tom/Barb if you choose to believe you can tow your fiver with bass boat behind it in NY because it is legal where you live go ahead and do it. Enjoy the fine and trouble of breaking your tow and moving it in two moves instead of one.

Just don't complain to me that I told you to do it!

Triple hookups are a bit different aren't they. They are illegal in my home state too. that means they are illegal in any state I go to.

So when I'm legal in my state, I should be in any state.

Please note I said "IF" :C in my example of triple hookup. Just taking one example of different rules of the road, not specific to your state. :R

[Bumpyroad]

Tom/Barb wrote:

Triple hookups are a bit different aren't they. They are illegal in my home state too. that means they are illegal in any state I go to.

.

I have serious doubts that if you are seen by a LEO in a state allowing double tows that you would be ticketed. I can just see the judge in court asking the LEO exactly why this ticket was issued. and I am sure that the LEO would not go through the laws for all states/provinces/territories/etc. to determine this.
bumpy

[JaxDad]

Tom/Barb wrote:

xctraveler wrote:
Tom/Barb if you choose to believe you can tow your fiver with bass boat behind it in NY because it is legal where you live go ahead and do it. Enjoy the fine and trouble of breaking your tow and moving it in two moves instead of one.

Just don't complain to me that I told you to do it!

Triple hookups are a bit different aren't they. They are illegal in my home state too. that means they are illegal in any state I go to.

So when I'm legal in my state, I should be in any state.

Neither of those statements are correct.

If you have a WA D/L and tags, but are in a State where double towing is legal, the laws of the state you're in apply, not your home state.

You seem to be confusing what your drivers license allows with what a state decides is legal for vehicles.

If a Florida licensed motorcyclist leaves the state they're no longer exempt from wearing a helmet. Likewise, double towing is legal in some states, but not others.

[wolfe10]

AGAIN:

There is reciprocity of DRIVERS LICENSE-- if you have the correct license for your state, you are good in all 50.

"Rules of the Road" vary by state and you must conform to the rules in each state in which you drive. Speed limits, weight limits, what defines over-sized load, triple towing allowed, etc do vary by state.

[Tom_Barb]

xctraveler wrote:
Tom/Barb if you choose to believe you can tow your fiver with bass boat behind it in NY because it is legal where you live go ahead and do it. Enjoy the fine and trouble of breaking your tow and moving it in two moves instead of one.

Just don't complain to me that I told you to do it!

Triple hookups are a bit different aren't they. They are illegal in my home state too. that means they are illegal in any state I go to.

So when I'm legal in my state, I should be in any state.

[xctraveler]

Tom/Barb if you choose to believe you can tow your fiver with bass boat behind it in NY because it is legal where you live go ahead and do it. Enjoy the fine and trouble of breaking your tow and moving it in two moves instead of one.

Just don't complain to me that I told you to do it!

[Tom_Barb]

xctraveler wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:

diplomatdon wrote:
Tom/Barb, I don't know of any ICC law that states that home state laws override individual State laws. 43 years and over 3 million miles commercial driving experience, each state and province and province has their own laws and regulations. Anecdotal stories are well and good, however because you got away with something doesn't mean it is legal. Many people get away with doing illegal things however don't have an accident, because the first thing any Insurance Co is going to look for is a way of getting out of paying. Don

in all those miles, have you ever seen a sign at the state line "vehicles over XX' stay out" ?

Actually very near every state border there is a weigh scale and truck inspection station for commercial vehicles. I have seen many trucks pulled to the side in those stops as we go by. Can't vouch for specific reason, but don't be overweight as a commercial vehicle for the state you are entering.

Exactly... Commercial Vehicles....... we already know the our privately owned motorhomes are not commercial

[xctraveler]

Tom/Barb wrote:

diplomatdon wrote:
Tom/Barb, I don't know of any ICC law that states that home state laws override individual State laws. 43 years and over 3 million miles commercial driving experience, each state and province and province has their own laws and regulations. Anecdotal stories are well and good, however because you got away with something doesn't mean it is legal. Many people get away with doing illegal things however don't have an accident, because the first thing any Insurance Co is going to look for is a way of getting out of paying. Don

in all those miles, have you ever seen a sign at the state line "vehicles over XX' stay out" ?

Actually very near every state border there is a weigh scale and truck inspection station for commercial vehicles. I have seen many trucks pulled to the side in those stops as we go by. Can't vouch for specific reason, but don't be overweight as a commercial vehicle for the state you are entering.