USA State trailer laws

Discussion in 'Option One' started by FAST FRED, Aug 7, 2012.

  1. FAST FRED
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    FAST FRED Senior Member

    http://www.readybrake.com/state_laws.html has a 2012 list of the state laws for towing .

    Scroll to the state you will pass thru.

    While it was created for RV folks , all private vehicles (non commercial, non CDL} are the same.

    One might get by on an interstate, just passing thru if oversized , but no guarentee!


    FF
     
  2. hoytedow
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    Be wary of the rules on your link. No one may ride in a 5th wheel or travel trailer in Florida even though the link says "Not specified". Florida DMV is specific on this issue.

    "Florida:
    Ride in 5th Wheel: Not Specified.
    Ride Pickup Camper: Yes
    Ride Travel Trailer: Not Specified."
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2012
  3. Ike
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    Ike Senior Member

    The same is true of most states.

    Good link though. Great info.
     
  4. FAST FRED
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    Location: Conn in summers , Ortona FL in winter , with big d

    FAST FRED Senior Member

    "It seem with boatbuilding that the last 25% of the work takes 75% of the time." ancient kayaker

    Its actually known as the 90/90 Rule.

    90% of the work takes 90% of the time

    The remaining work also takes 90% of the time.
     
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  5. hoytedow
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    Too true.
     
  6. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    What the hell is a fifth wheel.
     
  7. hoytedow
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    That would be the odd tag-along on a double date.
     
  8. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    Thats called playing rasberry in English.

    Going dutch is when she pays for her drinks and you yours.

    Come on what is fifth wheel. We call the fifth wheel the big flat weight bearing cast plate on an articulated tractor unit. Take that Off and you can drive it on a car license.
     
  9. hoytedow
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    You got the right idea. Goose-neck trailer fits hitch receiver in truck bed.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travel_trailer
    "A 'fifth-wheel' is a travel trailer supported by a hitch in the center of the bed of a pickup truck instead of a hitch at the back of a vehicle. The special hitch used for fifth-wheels is a smaller version of the one used on 18-wheeler trucks and can be connected by simply driving the tow vehicle under the trailer. Fifth wheel trailers are popular with full-time recreational vehicle enthusiasts, who often live in them for several months in one place, using their pickup truck tow vehicle for local errands."
     
  10. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    We only got those on purpose built heavy vehicles, you cant put that on a flat bed pick or at least I never seen one and that was my job 30 years ago.
     
  11. hoytedow
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  12. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    Not in uk or Thailand or anywhere I ever bin.

    Saying that I dont see any laws broke just aint see it. looks to me like kids trying to make a semi as you call it.
     
  13. hoytedow
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  14. hoytedow
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  15. philSweet
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    philSweet Senior Member

    There are millions of them in North America. Basically, there are three configurations for full timers. Fifth wheelers, Class A's (basically bus chassis), And Super C class (a semitractor with extended frame, usually towing a car carrier trailer. Typical fifth wheel trailers cost 65-130k, Class A's 200-900k (you can pay a lot more if you want, up to 3M), Super C's start around 400K I think. They tend to be custom builds. I spend my afternoons parking these things in the RV park I live in. I've been a full timer since '93.
    You're supposed to have a medical card and an air brake endorsement if applicable; but few do. Basically, anyone with a drivers licence can buy one and drive it off. I had to laugh at your semi tractor wannabe comment. I bought my dually off a kid in Little Havana Miami. It has truck stacks in addition to the fifth wheel. Many of the bigger fifth wheelers are using "toy truck" haulers. They look like a semi tractor, ie no cargo bed.

    This is how we take the family camping in the US-
    and the second one- because it's a boat thread:p (anyone know who did the stability calcs?)
     

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