Different States Length of Trailer Laws

[Everitt]

My wife and I are getting ready to purchase a new fifth wheel trailer and I noticed that states have different maximum length of trailer laws. What happens if your trailer is longer than the maximum length of trailer law for a state you wish to traveling in?

[bukhrn]

Never seen or heard of an RV being measured, but there are several places I know of that have a 65' limit, but that is posted for commercial Semi's, they get measured in combo, from the front bumper of the tractor to the rear bumper of the trailer.
Now, Having said that, I am not an LEO or an Attorney.

[dfletch]

Good question we purchased our 42’ 5th wheel in June in NC which has a limit of 35’ we drove it home to VA where 42’’ is OK.

[sayoung]

Here in Tx, 65 ft. Total truck & trailer hooked up. I have seen folks dbl tow 5er & a boat that looked way longer & never seen or heard of anyone around here getting measured.
Also check your states drivers license requirement. If you have your states proper class then your good in all states.

[Lwiddis]

I agree with ktmrfs on rare ticketing for over length RVs but if you have an accident, someone is injured and you are over the limit....it isn't going to be pretty.

[ktmrfs]

Everitt wrote:
My wife and I are getting ready to purchase a new fifth wheel trailer and I noticed that states have different maximum length of trailer laws. What happens if your trailer is longer than the maximum length of trailer law for a state you wish to traveling in?

First, max length AFAIK in all states is overall length, not spoecific to trailer length.

Next, in theory you could be ticketed, most or all states don't follow reciprocity for length. In reality it's not likely to be an issue.

It would be interesting to hear from anyone that has been stopped for being overlength, what instigated the stop, and what the results were.

I suppose if you were stopped for something else, speeding etc. and the officer decided you weren't co operating, then they might at overlength to the infraction.

My combo, with bikes on the back is 65ft. that is the legal limit in Oregon on major roads. Many secondary roads we travel on have a 55ft limit. Never had an issue. Likewise we have been through states that have limits less than 65 ft and never an issue.

Likewise I have seen several rigs in Oregon campgrounds that are clearly in violation of the 65ft overall length.

The MUCH MUCH bigger issue for us is making sure we can get the trailer into the campground and into the spot we want. Length is a MUCH bigger issue in campgrounds!