40 ft plus RV State Laws

[brian-nicola]

I think XANSO is correct. Here in B.C. max LOA for a motorhome is 46', but a RV trailer is 40'

[FRasco]

There's no mis-iterpretation or thinking who's right. Only doubt is the enforcement. Here is an excerpt:

"CALIFORNIA: Maximum RV width 102 in.; maximum motorhome length 40 ft.(45 ft. on some highways); maximum trailer length 40 ft.; maximum RV height 14 ft.; maximum combined length for two-vehicle combination, 65 ft. "

"DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Maximum RV width 96 in.; maximum motorhome length 40 ft.; maximum trailer length not specified; maximum RV height 13.5 ft.; maximum length of two- or three-vehicle combination 55 ft."

"BRITISH COLUMBIA: Maximum RV height 4.15 m.; maximum RV width 2.6 m.; maximum trailer length 12.5 m; maximum motorhome length 12.5 m (41').; maximum length of two-vehicle combination 20 m./65 1/2 ft.; three-vehicle combinations are prohibited.

And there are other states....

[brian-nicola]

British Columbia, right from the CVSE website:

　

Maximum lengths for Recreational Vehicles

• Maximum total length for a motorhome is 14.0 metres (45.93 feet).

• Maximum length for a towed recreational vehicle is 12.5 metres (41 feet).

• Maximum overall length for a combination is 20.0 metres (65.6 feet).

More information

For more information on this and other matters related to recreational vehicles, visit our website at CVSE - Home or contact your nearest weighscale/inspection station.

MV3230 (

[FRasco]

Well, that's a relief, Thanks Brian. Looks like that source was wrong.....

[mchero]

I hope some owners of 40'+ coaches respond. Interesting topic!

[eddieelk]

XANSO: I tow my Saturn without auxiliary brakes. I weighs 2670 pounds. I have rented 2 wheel tow dollies from U-Haul w/o brakes, and towed cars with my Van. I have used car hauler trailers w/o brakes also. Eddie Elk.

[TexasSprinter]

Hmmm. Think I'll stay out of Canada...

[Gordon Dewald]

I have towed our 5er through many states and provinces (including BC) without issue.

IMO the police will generally leave you alone if you are driving responsibly. The Highway Patrol is primarily looking for highway infractions - speeding, drunk and careless driving. The Transport Officers are primarily interested in the commercial trucking industry. Either of them can and will stop and write you up if you give them sufficient reason. IMO they will not target you primarily for over length. But once they stop you you will be in for all of the prizes.

Police are aware of the inconsistencies between jurisdictions. I would like to believe that if you are not driving dangerously they will ignore some issues like length. I have observed the CA Highway Patrol sitting and watching 45' coaches with long car trailers heading out to the Imperial Dunes on the weekends. There are obviously over length units but no response from the Patrol.

I hope the states and provinces get together and come up with a unified standard that is applied by all of them. Not likely but one can hope.

[Xanso]

Originally Posted by eddieelk

XANSO: I tow my Saturn without auxiliary brakes. I weighs 2670 pounds. I have rented 2 wheel tow dollies from U-Haul w/o brakes, and towed cars with my Van. I have used car hauler trailers w/o brakes also. Eddie Elk.

It's still the law in all 50 states. If you get into an accident you better believe your insurance company won't pay.

[isa]

I think Xanso needs to do some reading on each state's DMV rules with respect to towed vehicles. If he had done so he would find that very few states require auxilliary braking provided they can meet a given performance standard.

I suggest he use the following reference as a start:

home.roadrunner.com/~morodat/toad-brakes-by-state.html

[Xanso]

Originally Posted by isa

I think Xanso needs to do some reading on each state's DMV rules with respect to towed vehicles. If he had done so he would find that very few states require auxilliary braking provided they can meet a given performance standard.



I suggest he use the following reference as a start:



home.roadrunner.com/~morodat/toad-brakes-by-state.html

http://www.brakebuddy.com/Towing-Laws
just saying I've only seen it based on the toads weight.

[brian-nicola]

In B.C. towables;
• Motorhomes (only) may tow motor vehicles via a tow
bar without brakes hooked up on the towed motor
vehicle, when the towed motor vehicle’s laden weight
(weight of towed vehicle and its load) is:
- less than 2,000 kilograms (4,409 pounds), and
- less than 40 per cent of the gross vehicle weight
rating (GVWR) of the motorhome towing it
• Motor vehicles with a laden weight of 2,000
kilograms and over towed by a motorhome must
have brakes and breakaway device hooked up.

[JMonroe]

Originally Posted by Ziggy07

We are contemplating purchasing our first RV. I have noticed that many states have a 40 ft maximum. Are these rules strictly enforced?

I frequently get a message on the GPS when I crank it up for a trip to the effect that we're too long, somewhere along our route. I just click past it and go on my way.

I've never heard of a motorhome/toad combination being pulled over for length. For the record, we're approximately 63' going down the road.

[Xanso]

They never check, the police is more interested in speeders and drunk drivers