overall length?

RufusTheRam

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Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Location
Raleigh
does anyone know what if any overall length laws there are in nc? i.e., is there a set number of feet a tow rig/trailer combo can be?

i've heard of this sort of law, but can't find anything googling around the dmv.

i guess it would be good to know if any of the states surrounding tn have such a law also.

if there is such a law, are there any exemptions/exceptions? can you go longer with a higher class license?
 
RufusTheRam said:
does anyone know what if any overall length laws there are in nc? i.e., is there a set number of feet a tow rig/trailer combo can be?
i've heard of this sort of law, but can't find anything googling around the dmv.
i guess it would be good to know if any of the states surrounding tn have such a law also.
if there is such a law, are there any exemptions/exceptions? can you go longer with a higher class license?
Click to expand...

If I remember the trailer has a max of 53 ft but don't think that there is a truck length.
 
pointman said:
www.ncleg.net/gascripts/Statutes/Statutes.asp G.S. 20-116 (e) " Except as provided by G.S. 20‑115.1, no combination of vehicles coupled together shall consist of more than two units and no such combination of vehicles shall exceed a total length of 60 feet inclusive of front and rear bumpers".
Click to expand...
I would need to look into it more but I see all the time 53' trailers and I know the truck is at least 20+ft.
My truck is close to 21'-22' and the trailer is 23' or so and all the time see 35' to 37' campers being pulled with Rams so I would find it hard to see 60 max. Most of the dual trailers are 24' and a truck would put them over 60 easy.
Maybe some small print somewhere......
 
20‑115.1. Limitations on tandem trailers and semitrailers on certain North Carolina highways.

(a) Motor vehicle combinations consisting of a truck tractor and two trailing units may be operated in North Carolina only on highways of the interstate system (except those exempted by the United States Secretary of Transportation pursuant to 49 USC 2311(i)) and on those sections of the federal‑aid primary system designated by the United States Secretary of Transportation. No trailer or semitrailer operated in this combination shall exceed 28 feet in length; Provided, however, a 1982 or older year model trailer or semitrailer of up to 28 1/2 feet in length may operate in a combination permitted by this section for trailers or semitrailers which are 28 feet in length.

(b) Motor vehicle combinations consisting of a semitrailer of not more than 53 feet in length and a truck tractor may be operated on the interstate highways (except those exempted by the United States Secretary of Transportation pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 2311(i)) and federal‑aid primary system highways designated by the United States Secretary of Transportation provided that:

(1) Any semitrailer in excess of 48 feet in length shall not be permitted unless:

a. The distance between the kingpin of the trailer and the rearmost axle, or a point midway between the two rear axles, if the two rear axles are a tandem axle, does not exceed 41 feet; or

b. The semitrailer is used exclusively or primarily to transport vehicles in connection with motorsports competition events, and the distance between the kingpin of the trailer and the rearmost axle, or a point midway between the two rear axles, if the two rear axles are a tandem axle, does not exceed 46 feet; and

(2) Any semitrailer in excess of 48 feet is equipped with a rear underride guard of substantial construction consisting of a continuous lateral beam extending to within four inches of the lateral extremities of the semitrailer and located not more than 30 inches from the surface as measured with the vehicle empty and on a level surface.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section which limit the length of trailers which may be used in motor vehicle combinations in this State on highways of the interstate system (except those exempted by the United States Secretary of Transportation pursuant to 49 USC 2311(i)) and on those sections of the federal‑aid primary system designated by the United States Secretary of Transportation, there is no limitation of the length of the truck tractor which may be used in motor vehicle combinations on these highways and therefore, in compliance with Section 411(b) of the Surface Transportation Act of 1982, there is no overall length limitation for motor vehicle combinations regulated by this section.

Whew! that was a mouthfull. I guess I need to read section 411, because after reading the last sentence, I'm confused.
 
good grief that's confusing.:confused:

so if i have a medium duty chassis RV and a bumper pull trailer i have to be 60ft. or less, correct?
 
thanks.

seperate but somewhat related question: are rv's pulling a trailer with a gvwr of over 10k exempt from having a class A? i know they have alot of exemptions for other things.
 
I was told from DOT FOR NOW if you are over 10k and a tow a camping trailer you are ok on the standard DL but they are working to change the length and weight of trailer to make you get the class A or what ever it is.
 
RV's are practically exempt from EVERYTHING.

Though, The longest trailer I've seen an RV pulling was a ~25' behind a 40' coach..
 
From my extensive readings.. A 10k+ trailer is a 10k+ trailer.. No wether they are more likely to stop you with it attached to an RV or a normal truck... who's to say...

IMHO, having an RV helps a ton with being exempt from stuff. I'd search RV.net for more rv specific info.. lots of BS and nit picky cry babys but the facts sometimes sneak out over there..
 
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