Community Forums

red_georgia · 07-12-2020, 01:30 PM

So my boat/trailer is 32 feet long and weighs ~10,000lbs on trailer. I'm struggling to find an RV, that will pull 10K, at a length of 33' or less so I don't exceed the 65feet max towing length laws. Any ideas??? Can't seem to find a Class A diesel that small and most class C's won't tow that much weight except the Super C's but they are 34' or longer. How do all the Class A's deal with the 65' max when pulling a race trailer or something?

I sold the motorhome in my signature approx 3 years ago when I moved to Texas for work. Now back in Oregon and RV shopping. Tired of having to take two rigs and having a buddy drive my truck and boat.....

Crasher · 07-12-2020, 02:33 PM

I understand your concern for staying under 65'. That is the law in many states. That said, My coach is 44' long and I used to pull a 26' enclosed trailer. My combined length was 73'. I towed it from the midwest to all western states except WA and OR. I was never stopped for any reason. CA has an overlength permit available for a small fee. My sons rig is 75' long. In our group of retired Jeeping friends several of them are over 65' in length. I've met RVers from NY on their way to the races in Vegas with stacker trailers that were 80' long. CA is the only state they get a permit. For some reason, LEO's seem to overlook RVer lengths. That's not to say they won't start but, in my 10 years of towing over length, I have never been questioned. They have other more important issues to deal with. I have found that if all other more important safety laws are followed, LEO won't normally bother you over length. Pick a DP in the 38-40' length for safety and the ability to tow your trailer. At 70', you'll blend in with many others on the road.

Dsallach · 07-12-2020, 02:40 PM

As an ex LEO, I can tell you it’s never a problem until it is a problem. Will you get pulled over for simply being over length? Probably not. Will you be sighted if you get into an accident? Maybe. Will you be civilly liable for improperly operating a motor vehicle illegally once you get in an accident? You betcha. Ambulance chasers look for every angle.

red_georgia · 07-12-2020, 05:33 PM

The lawyers are my exact concern. High net worth, safe responsible individual, but don't want a technicality to cost me $1mill payout for what is usually a 4 wheelers fault.

Keith55 · 07-12-2020, 06:37 PM

I never heard of the 65 foot law. Does anyone have a link or more information as to what states have this law.

I got that CA does.

Thanks much!

Crasher · 07-12-2020, 07:55 PM

The OP asked: How do all the Class A's deal with the 65' max when pulling a race trailer or something? As I stated, we go with the length we have, operate well within the speed laws, load limit laws and do not attract attention by operating in a safe manor. I'm not aware of any RV accident being caused by being over the 65' limit. I personally do not know of any of our many overlength friends even getting a citation for it. If the OP wants to stay under 65', a 33' DP is your only option to pull a 32' 10,000# boat, or continue to take two vehicles. It's a personal decision. Good Luck

Isaac-1 · 07-12-2020, 08:03 PM

There are some Super C's that are under your length limit with 10,000 pound towing capacity.

red_georgia · 07-12-2020, 08:31 PM

All of the "true" super C's are 34' or greater. I really don't want to replace my boat (get smaller) so looking hard at other options. Dynamax makes a 32' Class C (not really a super C) on a cummins 5500 truck chassis. There is only two of us so that works....i'm only inside when bed time anywhay. Sacrificing the benefits of the class A (pass through storage, panoramic windshield, etc.) is worth the benefits of 4x4 (boondocking) and not having to take two rigs to lake. It is a diesel 4x4 model so I can get out in the dunes if I choose which is nice and will stay under legal towing limits. Just made an offer!

dons2346 · 07-12-2020, 10:43 PM

If it was me, I would not worry about the length, even if I stretched out to 75ft

Isaac-1 · 07-12-2020, 11:40 PM

I am not sure about current production Super C's but there have certainly been some in the past that are under 33 ft, I know a guy that owns one, it is on the Chevy Kodiak chassis, a 2007 Gulfstream Conquest, they have a 10,000 pound hitch, though you may be limited to less towing capacity depending on how you are loaded due to GCWR.

I suspect there are others. It looks like Gulfstream offered the same coach on the heavier International 4200 chassis in 2008, though I don't know how many were built, though based on the brochure it was offered in 2 floor plans measuring in under 33 feet.

sgwyble · 07-13-2020, 05:18 AM

The other problem is that shorter length coaches also have smaller engines. You can get a Kountry Star or Ventana as short as 34' but it comes with 360 hp and a 5,000 lb towing capacity. To get the 400 hp with 15,000 towing you have to be 40' or longer taking you out to 73+'

lockinload · 07-13-2020, 05:35 AM

I had a thread going a month ago about my train. Double towing a car and a drift boat. I am at 73 ft. In my first tow down I-25, I passed to state patrols that were sitting on the hwy in my first 30 minutes of travel and they didn't bat an eye. Better yet the rig towed incredibly well. Had to take it down a very steep hair pin road to get over a dam and it was a piece of cake. FYI, we have a 70ft max in Co.

Crasher · 07-13-2020, 07:24 AM

The OP is concerned about protecting his assets and rightly so. Like many others, I carry a 2 mil umbrella policy above the 500,000 base policy. According to my policy, if I am the cause of an accident it will pay up to the limits of coverage. There is no exception for speeding, reckless driving, failing to yield ROW, drunk driving, or being overlength. Any civil case would have to prove that the extra length was the contributing cause. I'm currently 68' long when towing my open trailer and will continue to do so until I can't. With proper maintenance, I can think of no reason being 70' long poses any more risk than 65'. I'm not sure I would want to tow a 32' 10,000# trailer with the short wheel base of a 33' Super C. As I said before, it's a personal decision.

Dsallach · 07-13-2020, 12:58 PM

Here is a link to the states length limits.
https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-dimensions/

“Any civil case would have to prove that the extra length was the contributing cause”
You are incorrect. All that they would have to prove is that you were in violation of the law and illegally operating your motor vehicle on the roadway. As such you should not have been on the road. That is adequate to prove contributory negligence.