Community Forums

kketterling · 06-02-2016, 09:47 AM

Saw this attached to a motor home and behind that a Jeep being towed when we stayed at KOA campground in California. Does anyone know if it is legal in Calif. I like the concept and it would allow me to stay under 65' in length and still bring both toys and trailer. Home - Toy Tote

Price wasn't to bad either.

BFlinn181 · 06-02-2016, 11:10 AM

Total length of everything must be under 65', in addition some communities may limit length even more off interstate highways except for fuel.

kketterling · 06-02-2016, 02:02 PM

Total would be under 65' l'm trying to figure out if their trailer hookup plus jeep attached would be legal in California. It looks like you are towing double but this trailer is like an extension of motor home with jeep in tow.

Timon · 06-02-2016, 02:20 PM

I don't think you can tow two trailers on a non-commerical license in California. I believe this requires DOT trailers and a commercial license.

BFlinn181 · 06-02-2016, 02:24 PM

On the Toy Tote website it claims it's not a trailer, but adds you need to check with state officials.

A 2009 Beaver Contessa is 42' long, add a Jeep CJ7 at almost 13', plus a tow bar of 3', that totals about 58'. That leaves 7' for the Toy Tote.

vsheetz · 06-02-2016, 02:47 PM

I like the idea a lot. Looked at it awhile back. As I understand, as commented on their web site - not a trailer. The 'check with' comment is no doubt CYA.

kketterling · 06-02-2016, 10:34 PM

Guess I'll have to ck with DMV. My coach is a 40' which would leave me roughly 25'. Key is do they consider it a double or the Toy Tote an extension of MH? If it's considered an extension then I'd be good to go.

blahargoue · 06-04-2016, 06:59 AM

The rules for combo towing in CA are pretty straight forward. 1) You must have a commercial license. 2) The first trailer must be connected to the tow vehicle with a fifth wheel hitch (not a bumper tow or a goose neck hitch) 3) the rear most towed vehicle must be equipped with a brake system (even if its under the normal weight requirement for brakes. 4) Must comply with length limits.

Most police officers or even many CHP officers aren't that familiar with the law. They usually have to ask an officer who was trained in commercial enforcement to verify compliance. BTW: It's usually provision 1 and provision 3 that most recreational tower mess up on.

Bruce LaHargoue
Happily Retired
Clovis, CA

blahargoue · 06-04-2016, 08:51 AM

As for your specific question about the Tote, I'd take your info down to a local CHP office and ask to talk to their Commercial Enforcement Officer about the legality. DMV employees are not well versed in such things. Ask 10 DMV employees and you will receive 10 different answers. I can't tell from the pictures on their web site and am not sure what to think.

Bruce LaHargoue

Gordon Dewald · 06-04-2016, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kketterling

Guess I'll have to ck with DMV. My coach is a 40' which would leave me roughly 25'. Key is do they consider it a double or the Toy Tote an extension of MH? If it's considered an extension then I'd be good to go.

If it were an extension there may be an issue. As I recall the limit of a MH to 45'.

bruceisla · 06-04-2016, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon Dewald

If it were an extension there may be an issue. As I recall the limit of a MH to 45'.

It's a bit more complicated ... 45 ft. motorhome is max on most CA highways but not allowed on others. You need the Caltrans "map" to determine where a big rig can travel.

kketterling · 06-04-2016, 10:20 AM

I agree I meant to say CHP not DMV.

Gordon Dewald · 06-04-2016, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceisla

It's a bit more complicated ... 45 ft. motorhome is max on most CA highways but not allowed on others. You need the Caltrans "map" to determine where a big rig can travel.

Yup - more than 45 would not be allowed on any highway. Probably more states than CA have the 45 limit as well.

bruceisla · 06-05-2016, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon Dewald

Yup - more than 45 would not be allowed on any highway. Probably more states than CA have the 45 limit as well.

Yes ... but California has a 40 ft. limit on Motorhomes with exclusions that allow up to 45 ft. on most CA highways and Interstates. For example, the Pacific Coast Highway has sections that are 40 ft. and sections that are 45 ft.

You need one of these to decipher the mess ... it's specific to buses and Motorhomes. It's also specific to the roads that are on the map.

45' Bus & Motorhome Map