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05-19-2012, 04:55 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 641
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Is 40' really 40'?
Question - I've been looking for the right Motorhome, and want to stay at or below the 40' length to avoid the road restrictions in some states. (Like the coastal roads in California!) I am looking at a 2004 Holiday Rambler Sceptor 40PST and LOVE the floorplan. It is referred to as a 40' motorhome ... but I just happened to notice in the specs that it says actual length is 40'7". Does that put it over the length limit,  or is it close enough to be okay??? 
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05-19-2012, 05:24 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lodi Ca Zinfandel Capital
Posts: 151
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Not in California. Some twisty roads but doable.
__________________
Bill & Donna Rowe 04 36' Rexair DP
Max & Abby (mini dachs)
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05-19-2012, 05:54 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 641
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cat938g
Not in California. Some twisty roads but doable.
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Not okay, or not over?
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05-19-2012, 06:18 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Official iRV2 Sponsor
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 8,305
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The issue is addressed online on the CA DOT website: 45' Motorhomes The references to "house cars" greater than 40' in length all contain the following phrase: "house car over 40 feet in length, excluding safety devices and safety bumpers." So it would appear that the legal definition is based on a dimension that would be a bit less than the bumper to bumper measurement.
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Joel (AKA docj)--
RV Technology Specialist
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05-19-2012, 06:18 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,451
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Many of the coastal roads in California you will not care what is legal or not. You will be terrified of driving some of them in a coach of 40'. I have been on several going to Mendocino that 25' should be the limit.
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B Bob
Currently Coachless
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
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05-19-2012, 06:24 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lodi Ca Zinfandel Capital
Posts: 151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kathryn
Not okay, or not over?
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Sorry 40' is legal up to 45'
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Bill & Donna Rowe 04 36' Rexair DP
Max & Abby (mini dachs)
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05-19-2012, 06:32 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Solo Rvers Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Pahrump, NV
Posts: 479
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cat938g
Not in California. Some twisty roads but doable.
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CA32 comes to mind. Scared h**l out of me in a 36' towing a chev malibu. Will not do it again towing or not towing.
Richard
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2004 Horizon 40AD/ISC 350/2012 SILVERADO or 2008 Chevy HHR/Demco/Vmspc/2013 Polaris RZR
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05-19-2012, 06:45 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 641
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cat938g
Sorry 40' is legal up to 45'
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Actually, going back to the statute itself, it specifies "An over-length motorhome is a single-unit motorhome that is longer than 40 feet but not more than 45 feet" and is restricted from many roads.
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05-19-2012, 06:53 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 641
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Quote:
Originally Posted by docj
The issue is addressed online on the CA DOT website: 45' Motorhomes The references to "house cars" greater than 40' in length all contain the following phrase: "house car over 40 feet in length, excluding safety devices and safety bumpers." So it would appear that the legal definition is based on a dimension that would be a bit less than the bumper to bumper measurement. |
but ... this answer is exactly correct - thank you docj! I went back and re-read the statutes and it allows up to one foot in front and one foot in rear for the safety bumpers, so that 7" would be fine! 
although
Quote:
Originally Posted by B Bob
Many of the coastal roads in California you will not care what is legal or not. You will be terrified of driving some of them in a coach of 40'. I have been on several going to Mendocino that 25' should be the limit.
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I do need to consider this! LOL! Thx all.
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05-19-2012, 07:18 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: B.C.
Posts: 4,638
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Our Imperial is a 38' but it measures 39 1/2 feet. There are no bumpers. I think you would have to measure each coach for an exact measurement.
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Dennis & Marcie & Captain Hook The Jack Russell,aka PUP, 2006 Itasca 29R 2017 Equinox toad. RVM59
We came, we went, nothing broken, nothing bent!
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05-19-2012, 07:36 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Our DSDP is 41' 3" but the extra is bumpers although I've never been stopped or questioned.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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05-19-2012, 10:49 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Traveling in North America
Posts: 2,248
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Bumpers on the Dutch Star?
Also please note that over 40' in California means you need a higher level of Driver's License.
Barb
__________________
Barbara & David O'Keeffe
Figment II (Alpine 2002 36 MDDS)
On The Road since 2006
Blog
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05-19-2012, 11:13 PM
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#13
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Registered User
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3,198
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our 40 footer, according to monaco's sales brochure, is 41.7'.
really, I don't think anyone is splitting hairs over this.
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05-19-2012, 11:33 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 140
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CHP wont bother you till something happens, like a wreck or accident. Then they find out your over length with the wrong drivers license. Och.
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My Avatar is my Avatar, 2003 Jayco 3800, that is.
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