Maximum legal length

[T-Roy]

I am seeing that some states list a maximum legal trailer length of 40 feet. Some of the Seismic trailers are right at 45 feet. I would like to buy a Pinnacle which is 40 feet but then attach a 10 foot freedom hauler to the rear which is an extension of the trailer but now am worried it would be illegal. However if I can believe the RVIA data that I found that states 40 feet then the Seismics would be illegal in several states all over the country. This is really confusing. Anyone here know the truth?

[rodro123]

The following are all 50 states towing laws on RV's taken from AAA website.

Alabama
Total length: 57 feet; trailer length: 28 feet 6 inches; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors and safety equipment, and appurtenances up to 6 inches attached to a motor home, travel trailer, self-propelled camper or house car, truck camper, or RV); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Alaska
Total length: 75 feet; trailer length: 53 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding appurtenances, equipment up to 3 inches, turn signals, handholds, splash and spray suppressant devices, load-induced tire bulge, retracted RV awnings, AC power outlets and exhaust fans); height: 15 feet.


Arizona
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 28.5 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; trailer width: 8 feet (8 feet 6 inches on certain roads); motor home width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding appurtenances up to width of rear view mirrors); height: 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads).
May pull 2 units if the middle unit has a 5th wheel and brakes and has a weight equal to or greater than the rear unit; the rear unit is 3,000 lbs. or more and is equipped with brakes.


Arkansas
Total length: 53 feet 6 inches; trailer length: 28 feet; motor home length: 40 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


California
Total length: 65 feet (up to 75 feet in certain circumstances); trailer length: 28 feet 6 inches; motor home length: 40 feet (38 feet for a single-axle fifth wheel travel trailer; 40 feet for 2- or more axle fifth wheel travel trailer); width: 102 inches (excluding safety equipment and RV appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads).


Colorado
Total length: 75 feet (excluding safety equipment and extension devices used for loading beyond the front or rear ends, used in combination for transporting automobiles and boats); trailer length: 45 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding RV appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 14 feet 6 inches.


Connecticut
Total length: 65 feet (excluding the transportation of boats under 4,000 lbs.); trailer and motor home length: 40 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (for trailers, excluding safety equipment up to 3 inches and the transportation of boats under 4,000 lbs.; for motor homes, excluding appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches (excluding appurtenances up to 6 inches).


Delaware
Total length: 60 feet (65 feet for an RV towing a vehicle); trailer length 40 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches for trailers, 8 feet for motor homes (excluding safety equipment); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


District of Columbia
Total length: 55 feet (excluding safety equipment and energy conservation devices); trailer and motor home length: 40 feet; width: 8 feet (8 feet 6 inches on certain roads with certain combinations); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Florida
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 48 feet; motor home length: 40 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment and appurtenances); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Georgia
Total length: 100 feet; trailer length: 53 feet (56 feet for boat transporters); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors); height: 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads).


Hawaii
Total length: 65 feet; trailer and motor home length: 45 feet; width: 9 feet; height: 14 feet.


Idaho
Total length: 75 feet (excluding carry devices necessary for safe and efficient operation); trailer length: 48 feet (excluding carry devices necessary for safe and efficient operation); motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches; height: 14 feet.


Illinois
Total length: 60 feet; trailer length: 53 feet (excluding safety equipment and energy conservation devices); motor home length: 45 feet (excluding energy absorbing bumpers and mirrors); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety devices on interstates and mirrors;, for motor homes, appurtenances up to 6 inches on roadways at least 11 feet in width); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Indiana
Total length: 60 feet (excluding boat transporters); trailer length: 28 feet 6 inches; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (for motor homes, excluding appurtenances up to the width of rear view mirrors); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Iowa
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 53 feet (45 feet for travel trailers); motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment up to 6 inches).
A combination of three vehicles coupled together one of which is a motor vehicle, unladen or with load, other than a truck tractor, shall not have an overall length, inclusive of front and rear bumpers, in excess of 70 feet.


Kansas
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: not specified; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excludes mirrors, equipment up to 3 inches, turn signals, handholds, splash and spray suppressant devices, load-induced tire bulge, and appurtenances up to the width of rear view mirrors); height: 14 feet.


Kentucky
Total length: 65 feet; trailer and motor home length: 45 feet; trailer width: 8 feet (excluding safety equipment); motor home width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding appurtenances and safety equipment up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Louisiana
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 30 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment and for motor homes, safety equipment up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads).


Maine
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 48 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors, turn signals, and appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Maryland
Total length: 55 feet (65 feet for travel trailers and boat transporters); trailer length: 35 feet; motor home length: 40 feet (45 feet on interstates); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding retractable awnings, and safety equipment and energy conservation devices up to 3 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Massachusetts
Total length: 65 feet (excluding appurtenances); trailer length: 33 feet (excluding appurtenances); motor home length: 45 feet (excluding appurtenances); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors, safety equipment, turn signals, handholds, splash and spray suppressant devices, load-induced tire bulge, and retracted RV awnings); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Michigan
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 28 feet 6 inches; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excludes appurtenances for motor homes); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Minnesota
Total length: 75 feet (70 feet if an RV combination); trailer and motor home length: 45 feet (excluding bumpers up to 6 inches and aerodynamic devices); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding rear view mirrors and load securement devices up to 3 inches, and for motor homes, excluding appurtenance up to the width of rear view mirrors); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Mississippi
Total length: not stated; trailer length: 53 feet; motor home length: 45 feet (excluding bumpers); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment, for motor homes, excluding appurtenances up to width of rear view mirrors); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Missouri
Total length: 65 feet; trailer and motor home length: 45 feet (excluding bumpers for motor homes); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment and clearance lights and required accessories, and for motor homes, excluding appurtenances up to width of rear view mirrors); height: 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads).


Montana
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: not specified; motor home length: 55 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment and appurtenances up to the width of the rear view mirror); height: 14 feet.
Passenger vehicles less than 2,000 lbs. GVW may tow 1 trailer; this combination shall not exceed 65 feet. Three-unit combinations shall not exceed 65 feet. Three-unit combinations permitted if rear unit is equipped with breakaway brakes.


Nebraska
Total length: 65 feet (excluding bumpers); trailer and motor home length: 40 feet (excluding bumpers); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment and for motor homes, appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 14 feet 6 inches.


Nevada
Total length: 70 feet; trailer and motor home length: not specified; width: 8 feet 6 inches (for trailers excluding lights or devices up to 6 inches, door handles, hinges, cable cinchers and chain bundlers up to 3 inches; for motor homes, excluding mirrors, safety equipment, and lights and awnings or hardware up the width of rear view mirrors); height: 14 feet.


New Hampshire
Total length: 53 feet; trailer length: not stated; motor home length: 45 feet (excluding bumpers); width: 8 feet 6 inches (for motor homes, excluding appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


New Jersey
Total length: 62 feet, 65 feet with a camping trailer, fifth wheel trailer, or park trailer; trailer length: 53 feet, 45 feet for motor homes, 28 feet as part of a combination; width: 8 feet 6 inches (only on certain roads, excluding safety equipment up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


New Mexico
Total length: 65 feet (excluding bumpers); trailer length: 40 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet (excluding safety equipment up to 6 inches; for motor homes, excluding appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 14 feet.


New York
Total length: 60 feet (excluding bumpers); trailer length: 48 feet; motor home length: 40 feet (excluding bumpers); width: 96 inches (excluding safety equipment up to 6 inches; for motor homes, excluding awnings over 7.5 feet from the ground and up to 6 inches on the right and 4 inches on the left); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


North Carolina
Total length: 60 feet (excluding bumpers); trailer length: 40 feet (excluding bumpers); motor home length: 45 feet (excluding mirrors and bumpers); width: 8 feet 6 inches; height: 13 feet 6 inches.
A boat or boat trailer with a width between 102 and 120 inches is permitted to be towed as long as the boat or trailer is equipped with two operable amber lamps on the widest point to clearly mark outside dimensions. The towing of a boat or boat trailer 114 inches to 120 inches in width may take place only during daytime.


North Dakota
Total length: 75 feet (excluding safety equipment, energy conservation devices, and approved length exclusion devices); trailer length: 53 feet (excluding safety equipment, energy conservation devices, and approved length exclusion devices); motor home length: 50 feet (excluding safety equipment, energy conservation devices, and approved length exclusion devices); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding appurtenances up to 6 inches and safety equipment up to 3 inches); height: 14 feet.


Ohio
Total length: 65 feet (excluding mirrors, safety equipment, carrying devices, and loading equipment up to 24 inches beyond the rear); trailer length: not stated; motor home length: 45 feet (excluding mirrors, safety equipment, carrying devices, and loading equipment up to 24 inches beyond the rear); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors, safety equipment, turn signals, handholds, splash and spray suppressant devices, load-induced tire bulge, marker lamps, fender extension, automotive covering devices, tarp and tarp hardware, and tie-down assemblies up to 3 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Oklahoma
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 40 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment, retracted RV awnings up to 8 inches, and appurtenances up to 4 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Oregon
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 40 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (for motor homes, excluding appurtenances up to 4 inches); height: 14 feet.


Pennsylvania
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 53 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors, and sunshades and tarps up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Rhode Island
Total length: not stated; trailer length: 40 feet; motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment, for motor homes, appurtenances, for trailers, non-cargo-carrying appurtenances); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


South Carolina
Total length: 53 feet (excluding safety equipment, energy conservation devices, loading equipment, compressors, and fuel-saving equipment on the front); trailer length: 40 feet (excluding safety equipment, energy conservation devices, loading equipment, compressors, and fuel-saving equipment on the front); motor home length: 45 feet (excluding safety equipment, energy conservation devices, loading equipment, compressors, and fuel-saving equipment on the front); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment, for motor homes appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


South Dakota
Total length: not stated; trailer and motor home length: 45 feet (excluding bumpers); trailer width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment, for motor homes appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 14 feet.


Tennessee
Length: not stated; width: 8 feet (excluding safety equipment, appurtenances, and retracted RV awnings up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Texas
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 28 feet 6 inches; width: 8 feet; height: 14 feet.


Utah
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 53 feet; motor home length: 65 feet; width: 8.5 feet; height: 14 feet.


Vermont
Total length: 75 feet; trailer length: not stated; motor home length: 46 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment and appurtenances up to 6 inches); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Virginia
Total length: 65 feet (excluding safety equipment, energy conservation devices, and steps and handholds for entry); trailer length: 28 feet 6 inches; motor home length: 45 feet (excluding bumpers); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors, and for trailers appurtenances); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Washington
Total length: 75 feet; trailer length: not stated; motor home length: 40 feet (excluding bumpers, safety equipment, energy conservation devices, compressors, and fuel saving equipment on the front); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors and for motor homes, appurtenances up to 4 inches); height: 14 feet.


West Virginia
Total length: 65 feet (excluding bumpers); trailer length: 40 feet (excluding bumpers); motor home length: 45 feet (excluding bumpers); trailer width: 8 feet (excluding safety equipment); motor home width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Wisconsin
Total length: 70 feet; trailer length: 48 feet (for trailers, excluding bumpers, stake pockets, air deflectors, ad refrigeration units); motor home length: 45 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (for trailers, excluding appurtenances up to width of rear view mirrors); height: 13 feet 6 inches.


Wyoming
Total length: 85 feet; trailer and motor home length: 60 feet; width: 8 feet 6 inches (excludes appurtenances up to width of rear view mirrors); height: 14 feet.


Puerto Rico
Height from ground must not exceed 13 feet, 6 inches; length, including load, must not exceed 40 feet; and width must not exceed 8 feet, 6 inches.
Overall length of 2 vehicles coupled together may not exceed 75 feet, including load.
Weight: Overall GVW may not exceed 110,000 lbs.




D

[JohnWedell]

A lot of people I know can’t pull their rig out of their driveway legally, go figure

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by T-Roy

I am seeing that some states list a maximum legal trailer length of 40 feet. Some of the Seismic trailers are right at 45 feet. I would like to buy a Pinnacle which is 40 feet but then attach a 10 foot freedom hauler to the rear which is an extension of the trailer but now am worried it would be illegal. However if I can believe the RVIA data that I found that states 40 feet then the Seismics would be illegal in several states all over the country. This is really confusing. Anyone here know the truth?

They are sold in the states where they are "supposedly" illegal, California is the best example. Took our 2015 PINNACLE, which was 42.2, all across the country with no problem.

[rodro123]

My Truck and Trailer combo is at 61 feet. I also have truck plates to match my max weight I pull. I have Wisconsin D truck plates but I see trucks pulling as much weight with truck plates well under the weight they pull. I hope they never get pulled over by highway patrol heavy fines are waiting for them.

[Jim Smyth]

Length limits are good to know and not to hijack this thread but to add on. Does anyone know State by State the limits to pulling a 5th wheel and having a boat and/or trailer behind the 5th wheel? I have heard conflicting info and I know the total length will come into play.



Some day I need to get my 16' enclosed trailer 1400 miles to Florida to Wisconsin. I can tow it behind my 5th wheel but dont know where to find the correct info if I would be considered a double or triple?


TIA, Jim

[Riverman]

There's lots of lists online with states that allow double or triple towing, but the problem is who knows which list is current. It's best to go to each state's DOT website that you want to travel through to check their latest rules.

[rodro123]

Originally Posted by Riverman

There's lots of lists online with states that allow double or triple towing, but the problem is who knows which list is current. It's best to go to each state's DOT website that you want to travel through to check their latest rules.

https://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguid...triple_towing/

Triple towing is allowed in the following states:


Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by rodro123

My Truck and Trailer combo is at 61 feet. I also have truck plates to match my max weight I pull. I have Wisconsin D truck plates but I see trucks pulling as much weight with truck plates well under the weight they pull. I hope they never get pulled over by highway patrol heavy fines are waiting for them.

Again it depends on each state and they all have reciprocity for non com.

Ohio has a 2 tiered system, Non-commercial and commercial and it is based on the weight of the truck, not capacity of the PU.

FL is basically the same, they have three non-commercial tags based on the NET not GROSS truck weight.

[Iraqvet05]

Do any of those states enforce those regulations? If you live in Alabama, Arkansas or Michigan, you probably couldn't own anything larger than a 26BH according to the AAA info.

[T-Roy]

I just looked up Louisiana’s regs and there is an exclusion that states for recreational equipment that the total length just has to be no more than 70 feet.

[T-Roy]

Even with a lot of states declaring a 65 foot total length it becomes an issue. Exterior travel length on a Seismic 4125 is 44 feet 3 inches and a 2019 Ford crew cab dually is 22 feet 2 inches. 66 feet 5 inches total.

[rodro123]

Originally Posted by T-Roy

Even with a lot of states declaring a 65 foot total length it becomes an issue. Exterior travel length on a Seismic 4125 is 44 feet 3 inches and a 2019 Ford crew cab dually is 22 feet 2 inches. 66 feet 5 inches total.

Just because you can buy it don't make it legal to drive on roads in that state. Case in point I can buy fireworks same as parks shoot off but I can't fire them off in my state.

[1GreatScouter]

Originally Posted by T-Roy

Even with a lot of states declaring a 65 foot total length it becomes an issue. Exterior travel length on a Seismic 4125 is 44 feet 3 inches and a 2019 Ford crew cab dually is 22 feet 2 inches. 66 feet 5 inches total.

Be sure to subtract the distance where the fiver and truck overlap (on a 5th wheel) since a portion of the front cap is over the bed of the truck. Usually this is best measured when connected for total overall length.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by rodro123

Just because you can buy it don't make it legal to drive on roads in that state. Case in point I can buy fireworks same as parks shoot off but I can't fire them off in my state.

I think that the state DMV would be asking specific length and weight questions if they couldn't be towed in the state they are licensed or sold in.

[T-Roy]

Well I also forgot to subtract the approximate 4 feet of truck bed that will be under the fiver with the hitch being about center of the truck bed. So with a published travel length of 38 feet 7 inches and a truck length of 22 feet 2 inches then a smaller freedom hauler than I first considered to haul the 2 motorcycles that adds 8 feet to the back of the pinnacle. Add all that up and you get 68 feet 9 inches. Then subtract that 4 feet of bed length and you get 64 feet 9 inches. 3 inches under 65. WHEW !!!

The only drawback is my Polaris Ranger Xp 1000 will not fit on that size freedom hauler. Just have to get a smaller ATV for the hunting trips. Another negative is compromising the frame warranty to mount the freedom hauler. But the wife really prefers the Pinnacle over the Seismic and I kind of do also.

Also, you know what they say about a happy wife. LOL

[1GreatScouter]

T-Roy, I think the 2" hitch receiver that is installed by Jayco on the rear of the RV is an "accessory" hitch rated at no more than 300 pounds. It's intended for a small cargo or bicycle rack, etc. If you are going to add a motorcycle trailer, you'll need a hitch rated for the tongue weigh of the trailer and gvwr of the trailer. Also, most states require a doubles endorsement to tow in this configuration. Your TV will also need to be able to handle the total weight if the combination. I don't tow doubles so I may be wrong but I'm sure others can speak to what's needed here.

[T-Roy]

The freedom hauler attaches to a mounting bracket that attaches to 2 receiver hitches and does not pivot side to side, only up and down so the rear of the fiver does not try to lift the freedom hauler. It is considered an extension of the trailer and not double towing. The wheels on the freedom hauler turn since it does not pivot left and right. The weight added to the rear of the pinnacle will be a maximum of 15% of the max payload of 2400 pounds which is 360. I will be closer to 330 pounds with 1800 pounds of motorcycles plus 400 pounds for 2 rampage bike loaders. The bikes probably actually weigh a shade less than that. The one ton dually can handle the weight without issue.

Here is a link to the freedom hauler website
https://freedomhauler.com

[Hoppy220]

I had it explained to me one time by an ex LEO. He said the trailer length is measured from the rear bumper of the tow vehicle, not the trailer as a stand alone unit. So my 44’ OAL 5th wheel loses about 6 feet when coupled. I run out of the 65’ max length before trailer length comes into play. That’s why you don’t see bumper pulls over the 38’ (give or take) Mark. I can’t cite any legal document, but this sounds more legit than rv dealers willingly selling illegal length trailers. Yes, you may be able to purchase illegal fireworks in your state, but you also sign a weiver saying you know they are illegal and that you will now set them off in that state.

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by Hoppy220

I had it explained to me one time by an ex LEO. He said the trailer length is measured from the rear bumper of the tow vehicle, not the trailer as a stand alone unit. So my 44’ OAL 5th wheel loses about 6 feet when coupled. I run out of the 65’ max length before trailer length comes into play. That’s why you don’t see bumper pulls over the 38’ (give or take) Mark. I can’t cite any legal document, but this sounds more legit than rv dealers willingly selling illegal length trailers. Yes, you may be able to purchase illegal fireworks in your state, but you also sign a weiver saying you know they are illegal and that you will now set them off in that state.

That's why Jayco labels your model as 383FLFS and not 44FLFS.