law interpertation (indiana vehicle length limit)

[demodriver]

What is your take on this law?

http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title9/ar20/ch9.html

The way that I read it is that if I am pulling a trailer the max length that I can be is 75'.

thanks Eric

[TedsBUSted]

If you're interpreting the 75' limit from:

"IC 9-20-9-6
Transport of vehicles or boats by stinger-steered vehicle; length limitations
    Sec. 6. Notwithstanding IC 9-20-1, and except for length exclusive devices in accordance with 23 CFR 658.13, the maximum length of a combination of two (2) coupled vehicles that is:
       (1) especially constructed to transport other vehicles or boats; and
       (2) a stinger-steered vehicle;
is seventy-five (75) feet.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8."

I would say no, that's not necessarily relevant, because (1) it applies to a "combination of two (2) coupled vehicles... especially constructed to transport other vehicles. . ."
Whereas (generally and in my opinion)  a bus is not "especially constructed to transport other vehicles..." because an RV's towing activity is most likely only  incidental to its specific construction and use as an RV. Also a bus would be very unlikely to meet requirement (2) of being equipped to pull a "stinger-steered" (low mounted 5th wheel) vehicle.

I would say that  IC 9-20-9-6 has a focus on large combinations hauling automobiles or boats; haul-away, carrier, transport, etc. That's not saying there may not be an RV/bus-relevant length restriction elsewhere in the code, I just don't see it here.

Ted

[Len Silva]

I agree with Ted.  I read the statute to say 60 feet max unless you fall into one of the special categories.

[bevans6]

Woodall's thinks the maximum length in Indiana is 60 feet, too.

INDIANA: Maximum RV width 102 in.; maximum motorhome length 45 ft.; maximum trailer length 40 ft.; maximum RV height 13.6 ft.; maximum combined length of two-vehicle combination 60 ft.; three-vehicle combination 65 ft. Riding allowed in truck campers, travel trailers and fifth-wheel trailers. Overnight parking in rest areas is not allowed. RV Safety Requirements: Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes, breakaway switch and safety chains. Driving Laws: Right turn on red allowed if posted. Wipers on/lights on recommended. Mobile police scanners not permitted. More Information: Indiana State Police, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Div., 5252 Decatur Blvd., Suite J, Indianapolis IN 46241; (317) 615-7373 or (800) 523-2261. Emergency number: 911.

[demodriver]

Woodall's thinks the maximum length in Indiana is 60 feet, too.

INDIANA: Maximum RV width 102 in.; maximum motorhome length 45 ft.; maximum trailer length 40 ft.; maximum RV height 13.6 ft.; maximum combined length of two-vehicle combination 60 ft.; three-vehicle combination 65 ft. Riding allowed in truck campers, travel trailers and fifth-wheel trailers. Overnight parking in rest areas is not allowed. RV Safety Requirements: Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes, breakaway switch and safety chains. Driving Laws: Right turn on red allowed if posted. Wipers on/lights on recommended. Mobile police scanners not permitted. More Information: Indiana State Police, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Div., 5252 Decatur Blvd., Suite J, Indianapolis IN 46241; (317) 615-7373 or (800) 523-2261. Emergency number: 911.

hmm by those laws my old goose neck trailer was over the limit and it was a factory built one in IN.   And my regular car trailer would be to long to pull behind the bus aswell.   

Eric

[artvonne]

IC 9-20-9-3
Transport of vehicles or boats by tow bar, saddle mount, or full mount methods; maximum length
     Sec. 3. Any number of vehicles in a combination coupled together:
        (1) that are especially constructed to transport other vehicles or boats; and
        (2) by the tow bar, saddle mount, or full mount methods;
may not exceed a total length of seventy-five (75) feet.


   Im going with 75 feet on this one. Doesnt a trailer hitch that is properly attached and that is designed to pull a boat or trailer of a designated weight, make the tow vehicle especially constructed to transport other vehicles or boats?

[Nusa]

If you're wanting to go over the 60 foot mark on vehicle+trailer, I'd call the Indiana DMV and ask, rather than relying on any answer here. I suspect the answer is gonna be 60 feet, unless you're willing to fork over for special over-size permits, which will come with all sorts of travel restrictions.

Also keep in mind that state reciprocity covers a lot but local law on size/weight still applies. So you need to be aware of the length laws of any states you plan to travel in. Also of any local ordinances once you leave the highway system, which can be even more restrictive.

[demodriver]

I doubt that I ever leave IN with more then a single car car trailer.

I have asked at the local bmvs about this law and they all told me to just online and look it up. None of them cared to help.   I never did take the time to call down to Indy yet tho.

artvonne, thats the part that made me think 75' aswell.

[robertglines1]

They are pullin 53 ft semi trailers here all the time. Best bet call Ind Dot Eric.  Or pull one of them over  Bob  Lots of Entertainer coaches pullin long trailers

[bevans6]

I would say that if the trailer you are pulling is specifically designed to transport ONLY other vehicles or boats, then you have a leg to stand on.  Your tow vehicle may not have to be specifically designed to transport only other vehicles or boats.  If you are pulling a flat-bed or a box trailer, probably don't qualify.  That clause seems to me to be a specific exemption for the car transport delivery vehicles that new cars are delivered to dealerships on.  A bus with a box trailer ain't that...   The Indiana DOT enforcement officers probably get trained on the interpretation of the law, which frankly seems badly written to an extreme, so I would call them directly.  That's what I did when I had a similar question up here.

I just changed trailers so that I would be under 65', which is the most common length limit in the places I go.  My old trailer put me at 67'.  Most people would say hook up and go, which is what a lot of entertainer buses do, but I wanted to be legal.

Brian

[Len Silva]

Sec. 3. Any number of vehicles in a combination coupled together:
       (1) that are especially constructed to transport other vehicles or boats; and
       (2) by the tow bar, saddle mount, or full mount methods;
may not exceed a total length of seventy-five (75) feet.

I think this is what they mean

[robertglines1]

Eric , we live here: and I /we try to do the right thing . When it comes down to it and we get stopped at that point in time. We need to be as legal compliant as possible. Watch your GVW- Brakes- Lights- And don't pull tripps and along as you don't get a Officer with a Bad Attitude lookin for a Violation you should be fine. If he or she is LOOKIN  you cannot do it rite enough!  If I understand correctly you were wanting to pull a 20ft stacker/open trailer? about 15,000lbs at most? will your Eagle handle the weight? Tounge?  Bob          Outside the box  Eric you wern't really thinkin anout pullin a 35ft flat trailer OH!???

[demodriver]

My wife and I would like to pull a two place car trailer to some of the races in southern IN. This way we can still take a car to drive and also take the autocross car.  I haven't built the open stacker trailer yet.

[Nusa]

These don't apply if you aren't registered commercial, but you might find this page interesting, especially for understanding some of the terms like "stinger-steered" and "saddlemount" being used:
http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/publications/size_regs_final_rpt/index.htm.

In particular, their definition of "automobile and boat transporters" may be relevant:

To qualify as automobile and boat transporters, under 23 CFR 658.13 (e)(1)(i)-(ii) and (2), both conventional and stinger-steered vehicles must be capable of carrying cargo on the power unit; the cargo may overhang the vehicle by 0.91 m (3 feet) in the front and 1.22 m (4 feet) in the rear (Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7).