Total Length Towing Question

[loser77]

So the wife and I are back to looking for our RV. We are also looking for a trailer to haul behind as well. What we are looking at is a 24' Stacker trailer to haul our 53 Bel Air and late 60's Scout as well as the motorcycle. From what I've read we are pretty much limited to 65' total. Now here is where I get a little confused...A tractor trailer hauling a 53' trailer with a sleeper on it has to be longer than 65' bumper to bumper. We were really wanting a 40-45' rv to go FT in when we went. We are both going to be working FT still when we start out FTing it so that's why we are gonna have 2 vehicles and the bike. I've read probably every website out there about total lengths and can't get a satisfactory answer. Also does it go by home state or state you are in at the time? I know some laws are home based and some are not so I'm just trying to get stuff sorted. I've asked this question on other forums and still wondering about answers so I thought I'd give you folks a shot.

Thanks
Stephen

[transamz9]

Bipeflier wrote:
Here is what Missouri law says:

MAXIMUM LENGTH LIMIT FOR TRUCK AND TRAILER COMBINATIONS
AND ALL OTHER COMBINATIONS OF VEHICLES NOT
PREVIOUSLY SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED, INCLUDING LOAD, IS
65 FEET. THIS LIMIT APPLIES TO THE INTERSTATE SYSTEM,
PRIMARY AND DESIGNATED ROUTES, PLUS 10 MILES FROM
THOSE ROUTES. THIS LIMIT APPLIES TO THOSE VEHICLES
EQUIPPED WITH FREIGHT CARRYING CAPABILITY (FLAT BED
TRUCK, PICKUP TRUCK, ETC.) PULLING TRAILERS AND TO
VEHICLES SUCH AS A PICKUP PULLING A CAMPING TRAILER
AND A BOAT.

Boy I bet your state sure gets rich of of the semi's. LOL!

[Bipeflier]

Here is what Missouri law says:

MAXIMUM LENGTH LIMIT FOR TRUCK AND TRAILER COMBINATIONS
AND ALL OTHER COMBINATIONS OF VEHICLES NOT
PREVIOUSLY SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED, INCLUDING LOAD, IS
65 FEET. THIS LIMIT APPLIES TO THE INTERSTATE SYSTEM,
PRIMARY AND DESIGNATED ROUTES, PLUS 10 MILES FROM
THOSE ROUTES. THIS LIMIT APPLIES TO THOSE VEHICLES
EQUIPPED WITH FREIGHT CARRYING CAPABILITY (FLAT BED
TRUCK, PICKUP TRUCK, ETC.) PULLING TRAILERS AND TO
VEHICLES SUCH AS A PICKUP PULLING A CAMPING TRAILER
AND A BOAT.

[Roadpilot]

We are 45' and sometimes tow our 30' trailer. We have many friends that do the same thing. The only state that most of us avoid is California, which has limits even on a 45' MH let alone a trailer.

[VintageRacer]

There are three things to consider and research. One is overall length, obviously. That is a state and province regulation and it varies - the issue is that there is no reciprocity so you must comply with the regulations of any region that you travel through. I bought a new trailer a few years ago so I would be 55 feet, since that is the limit for many of the states that I would usually travel through. Federal rules apply on Interstates and feeder roads near Interstates. The second thing is driver's license. That is a State regulated thing, and there is reciprocity - if you are legal at home you are by and large legal anywhere in North America. Trailer weight is often an issue as is overall combined weight - with the rig you contemplate you're going to be over every milestone, so plan based on the highest weights. Third is trailer weight vs RV. I know the kind of trailer you are thinking of, and it's going to weigh at least 15K lbs loaded, maybe 18K. The only RV that I know of that can tow that is a converted truck/toterhome/Super-C class or a Prevost based A-class with their 20K rated tag hitch. Only the Prevost is available as a 40 or 45 footer, and not all Prevost's have the engine cradle that allows the big tow weight. Basically time to do the research on your particular needs.

Brian

[loulou57]

We live in in Ontario and tow a trailer and boat behind our avalanche. We have to be under 75 ft. The weight depends on your drivers license. Also the type of vehicle that you tow with is considered. It gets complicated

[CentralCoastCam]

I can only speak for the laws in Calif. for the 53' trailers, they measure from the kingpin to the center of the front axle on the trailer, not the rear of the trailer. But that is only for hauling one trailer. For doubles, you can go to '75 feet overall length, but the trailers can be no longer that 28.5' and you have to use a tractor to haul them ( mdt or hdt). For doubles, you have to have a commercial license. If your FW is over 10k, but under 15k, you need an endorsement on your regular DL. If it is over 15k, and not hauling livestock, you have to have a non-commercial class A. If you have a horse trailer with living quarters that is over 15k, you have to have a commercial DL. Calif wil accept your home state DL if you combination of vehicles is valid in your home state with the class of DL you posses is good for that combo in your home state.
However, they will not accept the length and/or weight that is valid in other states if they are not permitted here. For example, both Nevada and Oregon allow two 53' foot trailers and Oregon allows triples. However, neither are legal in Calif regardless of what your Nevada or Oregon commercial DL allows you to operate in those states.

Clear as mud?

[gkenworth]

It is state specific. In Alberta, Canada, it's 65'. The guy driving the tractor trailer has a cdl. Someone will post a link, I'm sure. Hope this helps