belfert
Shoreview, MN, USA
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Joined: 10/06/2004
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I am considering a enclosed trailer to pull behind a 43' motorhome. Many states have a 65' total length limit that limits the trailer with tongue to 18 feet.
It appears some states such as Iowa still have a 60 foot length limit. Since I travel on almost every trip through Iowa would I be at a huge risk of a ticket or is the highway patrol too busy to deal with RV length limits?
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dons2346
Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of So. CA
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Joined: 11/21/2001
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There are a lot of infractions that go either unnoticed of are just let go.
Can you get away with it? I would say that it depends on what side of the bed the officer got up that day of if another violator got his panties in a bunch.
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Jrebhun
Western Pa
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Joined: 03/29/2004
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We were at a CG in Penna. and a DP pulled in next to us towing a very high closed trailer. After talking to us a bit the owner said his whole rig was 75 ft long. He travels all over the east and midwest attending cycle shows and never mentioned being stopped for his length.
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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dons2346 wrote:There are a lot of infractions that go either unnoticed of are just let go.
Can you get away with it? I would say that it depends on what side of the bed the officer got up that day of if another violator got his panties in a bunch.
and if you happened to have an accident where the extra illegal length would have a factor in it. I have to assume that there is some reason for imposing length limits.
bumpy
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magred
Ft. Collins, Co
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Joined: 06/28/2004
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When I pull my 28' enclosed trailer I am over 70' long. I have never been stopped anywhere (including Iowa). I doubt if you will ever get stopped for length alone--just don't do anything else wrong--and stay on major highways!
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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belfert wrote:It appears some states such as Iowa still have a 60 foot length limit. Since I travel on almost every trip through Iowa would I be at a huge risk of a ticket or is the highway patrol too busy to deal with RV length limits? As a retired truckdriver who has been thru the DOT checks and over the scales and been ticketed for both over length and over weight, I would stay at or under the legal limit. You being a RVer have my permission to exceed the limits. I still have a CDL and every leo out there will tell me that I know better!
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fpresto
Maryland
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I guess you need to let your conscience and your wallet be your guide. It is extremely unlikely that you would be stopped for being over length. However, if you are stopped for any other reason such as speeding, light out, etc then the LEO may get curious about your length. As I understand it, in most states, if you are stopped for being over length you must drop the trailer that is putting you over length alongside the road and make separate arrangements for it to be towed. For me the risk is too great but for others it is no problem.
USN Retired
2007 Cedar Creek 30 RLSTS
2008 F350, DRW, V-10, B&W hitch,
Pressure Pro, JT Strongarms
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chuck4788
West of the Middle
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The length restriction on the National Network and Access Zones is 65 feet.
"....vehicles subject to Federal length and width requirements to have reasonable access between the National Network and terminals and facilities for food, fuel, repairs and rest, plus they must allow buses, household goods carriers using STAA vehicles, and under 23 CFR 658.13(e)(5)(iii), truck tractor and single beverage semitrailer combinations, to have access to points of loading and unloading. "
So I guess if you only travel the Interstate and US hiways you'll be ok in Iowa.
Chuck
02 Beaver
505hp C12 Cat
Trailblazer toad
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Gary Franks
Pacific Northwest
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I asked the same question in another post.
'05 Fleetwood Bounder Diesel 39Z | Datastorm F2 Satellite Internet | Toad1: '03 Lincoln Town Car | Toad2: '08 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited 4WD
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MoRambler
Springfield, Missouri
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There was a guy at our campground last week that was driving a 42' Dutch Star and pulling a trailer at LEAST 28'. Don't know what his total length was, but it was loooooong. Much more than I'd want to pull. Legal?? Can't say, but he was pulling it. And here in Missouri, they(LEO)are always looking for something to pull you over.
Larry & Ann w/Lucy the cocker
'00 Mountain Aire 350 Cummins/Spartan
Toad: '05 Jeep Liberty Ltd.
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