Illegally Towing? What? Huhhhhhh...

[Joe-FL]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Question: Can the overall length of a rig get to a point where you have to obtain permits to travel over certain roads? (Or in certain States?)

Example: A 40 foot-long Class A that is towing a thirty foot trailer (with car and motorcycles aboard...) can easily get to be nearly 80 feet long...

Trying to go cross country with an RV measuring 80' long would be a nightmare IMHO. My new coach is just under 44' long and my enclosed car hauler is 24', with a slightly extended tongue I am approaching 70'. I plan on staying on Interstates and U.S. Highways, or getting off only within 5 miles for a CG or fuel/repairs. There could be a State or two where I may be close, but in most I am legal.

I suspect if your RV combination was approaching 80' it could be an issue maneuvering in many places. My tag axle wheels turns at slow speeds thus making it a little easier to make much tighter turns with my 24' trailer. Even at that there are going to be many CG's I will not be able to enter.

There is a 45' Provost with a 24' or 26' trailer in the CG we are currently in. If I get a chance I'm going to pick his brain on his experiences.

By the way, you may not need a 30' trailer to travel with your car and motorcycle. We are fitting a Harley trike (over 8' long) and a car inside our 24' V-nose.

[Laco]

I have been hearing that California is talking about the possibility of requiring a Non Commercial Class A for anything over 26000 pounds and an air brake certificate for anything with air brakes. Haven't seen any legislation introduced at least not yet. Currently a standard Class C is all you need for any weight RV with or without air brakes up to the length of 40 feet, not including a tow car, which legally be as long as 65 feet, I'm pretty sure. Over 40 feet a Non Commercial Class A is required.

[Msturtz]

Keep in mind the cut off is GCWR not GVWR even if you aren’t towing.

[Wonderdog]

Living in the land of fruit and nuts, Florida, where almost everything is ok, I don't need a CDL. When my license was renewed I decided to maintain my long held Class B CDL and am glad I did.