Length Limitations in North Carolina

[ken02802]

How should I find out what the maximum length 5er is?

AAA says the max length is 48'
drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/trailer-dimensions/

Towing World says there is no limit but the combined length must be less than 60'
Towing World Official Website

Woodall's says the limit is 45'
Rules of the Road

RVSafety says the limit is 35'
RVSafely.com

HitchMeUp says 40'
State Towing Laws

North Carolina state law, GS 20-116(d)(3), seems to say the limit is 45'.
G.S. 20-116

How do you decide if your rig is legal? Just hope nobody tickets you?

[jonbrown]

I have been on the impression that if your pulled over they look at total vehicle length, wich is 65' I believe . So license plate cover on front bumper to rear of rv.

[mo5er]

I would follow the North Carolina state law.

[wandering1]

Surprise.... NC law enforcement enforces NC laws.

[ken02802]

Yes, NC law applies but I'm not a lawyer. I'm not positive I found the most current legislation. And, it would be an enormous effort to check the laws of 50 different states.

Who do you trust??

You don't read the signed legislation for every state, do you?


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[ken02802]

Originally Posted by jonbrown

I have been on the impression that if your pulled over they look at total vehicle length, wich is 65' I believe . So license plate cover on front bumper to rear of rv.

Most states have two separate requirements. One for the total length and one for the trailer length. Unfortunately, there's no nation-wide standard! Each state sets its own limits and can change them at any time.

Each of the sources I quoted claim to know these numbers but each makes a different claim!

How do others handle this?


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[mo5er]

What length 5er are you are you planning on pulling?

[jesilvas]

Originally Posted by ken02802

Yes, NC law applies but I'm not a lawyer. I'm not positive I found the most current legislation. And, it would be an enormous effort to check the laws of 50 different states.

Who do you trust??

You don't read the signed legislation for every state, do you?


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Bam, you hit it. You aren't commercial and don't fall under many US DOT laws. US DOT is like an umbrella set of laws, and each state makes it's own specific laws.

Like alcohol purchasing, Texas is different than California (I guess.) Or state inspections. Or income taxes.

It is up to the state.

[wingnut60]

As mo5er said--
What length of fiver are you considering? Have never heard of any problems with the trailer length, only total length when towing double.
I think you are concerned about a non-problem.
Joe

[ken02802]

Not one reply mentioned how they determine the max trailer length for a specific state. It looks like everyone just assumes that you're OK if your total length is under 60'.

Everyone knows that each state makes and enforces its own rules but nobody said how they know what those rules are!

That really surprises me. I guess I'll have to assume it's a non-issue.

By the way, I haven't yet bought my 5er. I still have a Class B but am planning to upgrade some time in 2015. My goal is to stay at 35' or less because that's the limit for many National Parks.


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[wingnut60]

I would think they determine the trailer length with a measuring tape--the maximum by writing a reg. Most semis you see on the road have a box length of 55' and with the tractor, they mostly stay under 65'

But you aren't going to get a fiver for 'normal' use that will get you in any length trouble--unless you plan on pulling something behind the fiver.

Yes, it is a non-issue for 99.9% of RVers. If you are going to limit your fiver purchase to a 35' unit, why the burning desire to know about trailer length regulations? And you know what each state says by going to their DOT site and reading through the regs--unfortunately, that often leaves you more confused than before reading.

Joe

[wandering1]

Looks to me like it says RV (class A, B, C, TT, or 5er) cannot exceed 45 ft. Combination of vehicles (truck and trailer) may not exceed 60 ft. If you really want to know why dont you call a state trooper office and ask?

[Serengeti]

I have never heard of anyone having a problem with a rig length unless it is something very obvious like triple-towing in a state that does not allow it and even then most police/state troopers do not know the RV laws very well, if at all. Usually states only will enforce their own residence when they register their RV, but just like a state allows a driver who has a licence from a different state to drive through their state, the same applies to RV length and other RV laws. If States were concerned about RV length then, you would here about RV's being stopped all the time to be measured. I would not worry about it unless of course you are a resident of NC, and it that is the case then DOT will have the answer.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by wandering1

If you really want to know why dont you call a state trooper office and ask?

Because they usually don't really know the answer.