Does it exist?
#21
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 190
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From: Lake Norman, NC
The big problem is length. I just went through all this... here's how it works.
Any tow vehicle that can be classified as a tractor unit with single trailer falls under federal law (revised in 1982) which basically says no state can ping you for being to long - within reason. Safe to say though that 75 feet is safe.
The Federal law gives minimum lengths to trailers under this format, saying that states must allow a minimum of a 48ft trailer, with no overall length restriction. Yeah, it actually says that. It also says that no state can ping you for over length, even if the trailer is longer than 48ft.
Being that Federal law trumps State law (unless you are growing weed in CA) and if you have a "semi-tractor" trailer type set-up, you're pretty much safe to build whatever you want.
The problems arrive for length when the tow vehicle is what's regarded as a "straight truck". This is a truck that has a cargo area separate from the cab. Trucks like Duallys, cargo vans and trucks etc fall under this umbrella.
If you have a straight truck as a tow vehicle, there is no Federal law for length and the State law takes over. Some states are really short - My home state of North Carolina only allows 60ft overall length - truck and trailer combined.
I went and purchased a Schwalbe conversion Perterbilt for this very reason. It is classified as a semi tractor and trailer because of the hitch arrangement and no rear "truck bed".
But its essentially an oversize crew cab with electric rear bench seat that folds out into a bed, DVD, etc etc. Plenty of room for cross country trips, me and a buddy just did CA to NC in it almost non-stop.
Cummins 8.3 Turbo, Allison trans etc - they tow almost anything well and we averaged 8mpg towing a 15k lb trailer at 70 -75mph the whole way.
I have buddys who have had their stuff parked up roadside and not been able to move it due to over length state laws.
For the length of the boat, it might be worth building a custom fifth wheel boat trailer with a box on the front for your bikes and looking at a similar truck? Do a Google search for Schwalbe Peterbilt 335 and see what turns up.
Hope that helps a little. It was the only solution I could find that was legal and still comfortable.
Any tow vehicle that can be classified as a tractor unit with single trailer falls under federal law (revised in 1982) which basically says no state can ping you for being to long - within reason. Safe to say though that 75 feet is safe.
The Federal law gives minimum lengths to trailers under this format, saying that states must allow a minimum of a 48ft trailer, with no overall length restriction. Yeah, it actually says that. It also says that no state can ping you for over length, even if the trailer is longer than 48ft.
Being that Federal law trumps State law (unless you are growing weed in CA) and if you have a "semi-tractor" trailer type set-up, you're pretty much safe to build whatever you want.
The problems arrive for length when the tow vehicle is what's regarded as a "straight truck". This is a truck that has a cargo area separate from the cab. Trucks like Duallys, cargo vans and trucks etc fall under this umbrella.
If you have a straight truck as a tow vehicle, there is no Federal law for length and the State law takes over. Some states are really short - My home state of North Carolina only allows 60ft overall length - truck and trailer combined.
I went and purchased a Schwalbe conversion Perterbilt for this very reason. It is classified as a semi tractor and trailer because of the hitch arrangement and no rear "truck bed".
But its essentially an oversize crew cab with electric rear bench seat that folds out into a bed, DVD, etc etc. Plenty of room for cross country trips, me and a buddy just did CA to NC in it almost non-stop.
Cummins 8.3 Turbo, Allison trans etc - they tow almost anything well and we averaged 8mpg towing a 15k lb trailer at 70 -75mph the whole way.
I have buddys who have had their stuff parked up roadside and not been able to move it due to over length state laws.
For the length of the boat, it might be worth building a custom fifth wheel boat trailer with a box on the front for your bikes and looking at a similar truck? Do a Google search for Schwalbe Peterbilt 335 and see what turns up.
Hope that helps a little. It was the only solution I could find that was legal and still comfortable.
#22
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: On the way to a PR near you
We have considered the box on the trailer route. We will see how it unfolds or I have to revise my boat plan to a 32' Skater or 34' Doug Wright.
#23
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 228
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From: GLOC and Bartlesville, OK
Some questions. If the tow vehicle can be registered as an RV does it fall under the "Straight truck" length rules?
If the tow vehicle can be registered as an RV and the whole rig is over 26,000 lbs and the trailer is over 10,000 lbs, do you have to have a Class A drivers license?
If the tow vehicle can be registered as an RV and the whole rig is over 26,000 lbs and the trailer is over 10,000 lbs, do you have to have a Class A drivers license?
#24
#25
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 190
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From: Lake Norman, NC
Some questions. If the tow vehicle can be registered as an RV does it fall under the "Straight truck" length rules?
If the tow vehicle can be registered as an RV and the whole rig is over 26,000 lbs and the trailer is over 10,000 lbs, do you have to have a Class A drivers license?
If the tow vehicle can be registered as an RV and the whole rig is over 26,000 lbs and the trailer is over 10,000 lbs, do you have to have a Class A drivers license?
Another issue is the Feds are cracking down on commercial vs personal use. If you race at all - or even have your own company name on your gear - its getting tougher to not be considered commercial. Rule of thumb we're seeing is if the cop thinks you have any way of being reimbursed in any way, such as contingency stickers or a tax write off, people I know have been called commercial. At that pont, even a Class A license isn't legal.
I think pretty much everywhere says if you are over 26k RATED all up - no matter what load you have - you either need a Class A or full CDL dependent on use. Except RV's for personal use. That might even be Federal.
Sorry to go off topic Cash.
#26
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,968
Likes: 811
From: On the way to a PR near you
No problem. All good info ansd stuff to consider. I am not gonna let this probelm beat me. I WILL figure out a solution.
#27
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Happily retired and living in Heavens waiting room.
Happily retired and living in Heavens waiting room.
#28
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 113
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From: AZ
As long as you aren't overweight, or stick out like a sore thumb, being a little long shouldn't be an issue. A toter with a bunk above the bike and tool storage area, and possibly another bunk above the cab should work, a tommy lift might be needed to load/ unload the bikes depending on your situation. Plaster the Not for Hire stickers on the toter, run with a Class A license just to be safe, and fly under the radar, at night if needed, you should be fine. The wilder the paint and graphics on the boat (and toter) the more likely you are to be inspected.
#30
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,968
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From: On the way to a PR near you
Stuff happening but I'll give you updates when you arrive in S Fla.




