Michigan RV's + Trailer Length Warning

[Jim Davis]

Looks like you would want to avoid North Carolina like the plague as their trailer length rule is 35'.

Jim Davis

[Bob Pagano]

The problem in NC was fixed last year, you are safe if traveling to a motorsports event.

[Steve Polhill]

The sad thing is I'm 68' total and have to go through Michigan for Every Div 3 race. I've never had any trouble "YET" I'm wondering if the fact that there is no mention of a Motorhome towing a trailer in the law, would sway an officer once he already has you pulled over.. My experience is they get pissed off when you are an informed driver and doubt their AUTHORITY.. LOL I'll keep a copy of the michigan vehicle code in the motorhome and pray I don't get pulled over.

[jmantle]

Curiosity got the better of me so I looked up our local regs, the following is published for BC

Recreational Vehicle Towing


Brake Requirements
All trailers and towing dollies (car dollies) must have brakes on all wheels when their GVW (trailer/dolly and load) exceeds 1,400 kg (3,086 pounds). Every trailer with brakes must have a breakaway device hooked to the trailer brake system.
Surge brakes must be used when towing a vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of up to and including 2,800 kg (6,173 pounds).
From 2,800 kilograms and up the towed vehicle brakes must be able to be applied by the driver of the tow vehicle.
Motorhomes (only) may tow motor vehicles via a tow bar without brakes hooked up on the towed motor vehicle, when the towed motor vehicle's laden weight (weight of towed vehicle and its load) is:
less than 2,000 kg (4,409 pounds), and
less than 40% of the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the motorhome towing it.
Motor vehicles with a laden weight of 2,000 kg and over towed by a motorhome must have brakes and breakaway device hooked up.

Preparing to tow
The vehicle on tow must have valid licensing and insurance.
Only one (1) trailer may be towed at a time (a car dolly carrying a car is regarded as one trailer).
All vehicles being towed via a ball hitch must have safety chain(s) or cable(s).
A recreational vehicle towed via a 5th wheel hook-up does not require safety chains or cables
All vehicles being towed must have lights connected to the tow vehicle.

Maximum widths for Recreational Vehicles
Maximum total overall width for recreational vehicles is 2.6 metres (8 feet 6 inches)
Mirrors (only) may exceed the width of the vehicle by 20 cm (8 inches) on each side.

Maximum lengths for Recreational Vehicles
Maximum total length for a motorhome is 14.0 metres (45.93 feet).
Maximum length for a towed recreational vehicle is 12.5 metres (41 feet).
Maximum overall length for a combination is 20.0 metres (65.6 feet)
For more information on the above, and other matters related to recreational vehicles, visit the BC Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure website (Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement) at www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse, or contact your nearest weighscale/inspection station, or call ICBC at 1-800-950-1498.

For commercial vehicles it's much the same, 20 meters for semis, 23 meters (75') for A, B, and C trains.

If there are air brakes involved or your trailer is over 4600 kgs (10000 lbs), you need a class 1 CDL.

[Mackie Family Racing]

Boys,

Well for those of us that thought the MI DoT were just picking on Canadian farmers, we were wrong... guess they also like Canadians that live in Michigan (i.e., me), too

We became the latest "overlength victims" on Friday, just south of Ithaca on M-127, on our way to the div'l at Stanton. Having read Bill's posts, and advice from Rock and others, I gave it all a try, but to no avail... We drove away (thankfully) with a citation for 17 feet over-length... 82'3" against a 65' "law"... My apologies to those of you that heard me crying about this at Mid-Michigan, but here again are the facts... advice, counsel and names of traffic attorneys in Gratiot County appreciated:

- we have a 45' Renegade (he measured it separately), and a 32' T&E stacker, with a 5' tongue... 82'3" according to Barney Fife

- I have my CDL, and up until Friday, I'm proud to say that I've driven for 33 years without a single traffic ticket of any kind... a completely clean record. Barney Fife wasn't particularly interested in that factoid either.

- after abusing me for not instantly pulling over onto the 4' wide shoulder -- I drove down another half mile to a lane merge from a dirt road -- he instantly went to the overlength gig. When he approached me from behind, he drove forward and back a couple 'o times, then pulled me over. I was doing 55mph at the time, and minding my business in light traffic.

- after measuring the rig, he asked me to open the side door. This was after he asked me if the water that was pouring out of the freshwater overflow (the tanks were full, the shoulder was heavily banked) was "grey water"... He then gave me about ten minutes of abuse about racing for a business (for those of you that know me, I realize you're probably laughing hysterically at this point), if we raced for money, why there were contingency stickers on the dragster, etc. He apparently took great interest in the provocative "Mackie Family Racing, Milford, MI" that we have on the back of the trailer... Eventually, he dropped all this nonsense and just focused on the length.

- he had a copy of the "Truck Driver's Handbook" handy, and gave it to me... he then indicated that the applicable legislation for motorhomes wasn't in that book -- and offered to print off the right stuff from his patrol vehicle. In the end, what he handed me was exactly the same stuff that Rock Haas had provided a link to somewhere in this message thread... and we all know that there's nothing in those regs that says anything about the max length for a motorhome/trailer combo

- I considered arguing hard when he gave me the paper -- and then decided not, as he'd already paper-clipped the citation to it... No fine specified on the citation -- I get the pleasure of contacting Judge Judy in Ithaca on Monday to find out how many children we have to sell to pay the fine.

- based on discussions with Rock and others at the track, I fully intend to fight the ticket. I also will make every effort to contact the gentleman that Rock spoke to at the MI DoT and try to get something from him in writing.

We made it home in one piece, although I panicked every time I saw K-car with a pizza bubble on the roof... thought it was another one of our trusted Commercial Vehicle Enforcement boys on duty.

All joking aside -- anyone that has fought this fight (in Michigan, please) -- let me know. As I'd say at least 50% of the rigs at Stanton this weekend were "overlength", per Barney Fife, I would imagine final resolution of this matter is critical. As I've posted previously, a 75' rule isn't going to help a lot of us... so I'd suggest the permit route (or special regs, like NC)... I have some gov't contacts through work, but if anyone has a better way -- thru a high school buddy that's in the legislature, or whatever-- it sounds like it'd be time well spent.

Sorry for the long post.

Scott Mackie

[dartman]

state by state site

http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

[X-TECH MAN]

Id say it was time for SHORTER (smaller) rigs to avoid this BS and besides the race track pits are not getting any larger to accomodate these monster rigs. No wonder there is not enough room for everyone as of late. Face the reality of the fact that the DOT length law is what it is no matter how important you think you are.

[63corvette]

The DOT law is 75 feet on interstates.
It is the State Laws that change that on the other roads.
One standard across the US would make it easier for everyone.
My motorhome and trailer is over length in several States but most seem not to pick on motorhomes. The Totorhomes which look more like a truck is usually the ones who get picked on.
If you look at most 18 wheelers total length when you are at a truck stop nearly all with a sleeper cab are a total length of 70 to 75 ft or more. I have not seen them being hassled for length issues.
One standard across all the States would be a big step forward for those travelling across the country but that happening is a pretty long stretch.
Just My 2 Cents
Rick Cates

[mike withers]

AS per one standard across the US--"be carefull what you wish for." Because of the Interstate Commerce clause in our constitution Congress and the feds set Interstate rules for Tracter trailers. To have them jump into the regulation of Motorhome/trailer rigs used by racers may have many other consequences i.e.CDL requirements for all, stopping at all weight scales etc.
It appears the issue has only surfaced in a handfull of states. I suggest that we racers contact a friend in our respective state legislatures and seek a resolution using the North Carolina model. State legislatures belong to a national association and have access to codes in all states. We have statistics on our side as fortunately few race rigs are envolved in major accidents. Track operators and motor sports councils (if your state has one) are good allies. Don't forget the circle track guys who (while lacking focus and a since of directiion) use a lot of big race rigs. former state senator- Mike Withers

[BOO BOO]

Scott, HATE to ask but how much $$$$ did the state of Mich. make off this citation?
Something needs to change.
Chuck Siegler
328c S/G S/C