Did California change its towing laws?

[azdryheat]

I was in CA heading to San Diego on I-8 last Friday and saw a truck doing a double tow (truck pulling a 5th wheel pulling a boat). All three vehicles had CA license plates. My understanding is this setup is illegal in CA or has the law changed?

[dedmiston]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

dedmiston wrote:
Enforcement in CA is inconstant.

I see people towing in the wrong lanes all the time, and nobody even tries to obey the 55 mph limit. The worst is when I see people pulling trailers in the HOV lane and slowing everyone down.

In WA it's legal to tow in the HOV lanes up to a certain tonnage.

In CA it's not even legal to get over to the HOV lanes if you're towing. Trucks and cars towing trailers are required to stay in the two far right lanes.

[Cummins12V98]

Kinda depends where you are. More rural areas the truckers bump it up. Many RVer's simply speed no matter!!!

[Thermoguy]

Having just driven through parts of CA watching and following RV's and Semi's, no one is going 55. The commercial drivers are the fastest, some as fast as 70 in a 55... I was not towing so I saw lots of towing vehicles as I passed them.

[Cummins12V98]

When in CA if you are towing anything the MAX speed limit is 55. Towing 60 I have been slowly passed by CHIPS without a second look many times.

[mkirsch]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I tow in the right lanes at 60mph in posted 55 zones with ZERO issues.

I tear the tags off my pillows and mattresses with no issues.

5MPH over the speed limit is more likely to get you a ticket for "impeding traffic" than "speeding."

[Cummins12V98]

dedmiston wrote:
Enforcement in CA is inconstant.

I see people towing in the wrong lanes all the time, and nobody even tries to obey the 55 mph limit. The worst is when I see people pulling trailers in the HOV lane and slowing everyone down.

In WA it's legal to tow in the HOV lanes up to a certain tonnage.

[Cummins12V98]

I have towed "DOUBLES" in CA for the last 6 winter months being licensed SD as CA recognizes SD. CA it is legal to "Double Tow" if you have the proper endorsement.

I tow in the right lanes at 60mph in posted 55 zones with ZERO issues.

I also tow the same in WA and OR along the I-5 corridor twice a year.

[dedmiston]

Enforcement in CA is inconstant.

I see people towing in the wrong lanes all the time, and nobody even tries to obey the 55 mph limit. The worst is when I see people pulling trailers in the HOV lane and slowing everyone down.

[CA_Traveler]

License are recipocal. Driving laws are not for speed limits, double tow, length, brakes, etc.

[JRscooby]

Cptnvideo wrote:
I THINK Californicate-ya has reciprocal rules.
Non CA licensed drivers don't have to have a non-commercial Class A to tow over 15,000 lbs (I think).
Doesn't matter to me since I plan to never be in the state again since having to work there often before retiring.

Driver license is reciprocal, all states. OTOH, a vehicle or combination of vehicles, can be legal in one state, but not in another.

[Cptnvideo]

I THINK Californicate-ya has reciprocal rules.
Non CA licensed drivers don't have to have a non-commercial Class A to tow over 15,000 lbs (I think).
Doesn't matter to me since I plan to never be in the state again since having to work there often before retiring.

[jjj]

Not to hijack this post but it is legal if under 65 ft. and need a class A also if you pull a fifth wheel over 15000 lb. You need a non commercial class A that is why they are targeting big toy haulers.

[ktmrfs]

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.

[time2roll]

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.