Question about maximum vehicle length

[Jeremy]

In response to another post I was just looking at Van Hool's website to see if they still build a short coach (they don't). Whilst I was there I noticed one of the coaches in their second-hand section is fitted with the 'box' device shown below. I have often seen buses on the road fitted with these (they are principally for carrying skis I believe), and always wondered how they could be legal. Given that the base vehicle is already built to the maximum permisable length, how can a fixed box like this not make the vehicle oversize?

Jeremy

[JerryH]

Jeremy,

Unless I am mistaken, I think the 824 you posted is in Belgum and you found it on Van Hool's global site ... not ABC's US site.
http://www.vanhool.be/aanboddetail.asp?ID=105573&PriceCategoryID=20
I am "fairly" sure 45-feet max (single vehicle) is the limit, although I am not sure that's not a Federal DOT but rather set by state.
You've seen one of these cargo units on a 45-footer in the US?  I could see it on a 40-footer in the US, but not a 45.  Never personally seen one of these in the US ... let alone seen one.

Jerry H.

Ahh, and re: Calif. 45-footers.  http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/bus-mh/fs-45-buses.htm

[captain ron]

  I have often seen buses on the road fitted with these (they are principally for carrying skis I believe), 

Jeremy

Looks like a porta-pot

[Dallas]

This is just conjecture, but...
I don't think the drom is figured into the length of the vehicle. Something like putting 10' boards into your 8 ' pickup bed. 2' are hanging over and don't need to be flagged. If the over hang is more than 3' (in some states, 4' in others), then a flag, reflector or lights must be displayed from the rear.

When I was pulling bedbug, (Household mover), we commonly added a drom, (dromedary container) to the back of a 53' trailer with no problem.

Again this is all conjecture because I'm too lazy right now to reach up and get the DOT regs from up above my head.

Dallas

[Jeremy]

Jeremy,

Unless I am mistaken, I think the 824 you posted is in Belgum and you found it on Van Hool's global site ... not ABC's US site.
http://www.vanhool.be/aanboddetail.asp?ID=105573&PriceCategoryID=20
I am "fairly" sure 45-feet max (single vehicle) is the limit, although I am not sure that's not a Federal DOT but rather set by state.
You've seen one of these cargo units on a 45-footer in the US?  I could see it on a 40-footer in the US, but not a 45.  Never personally seen one of these in the US ... let alone seen one.

Jerry H.

Ahh, and re: Calif. 45-footers.  http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/bus-mh/fs-45-buses.htm

Hi

Yes, sorry, I should have said - I'm talking about having seen buses like that in Europe (Britain), not the USA. The vehicle pictured is in Europe too. I don't know the details but all the basic Euro regs (length, width etc) seem to be very similar to the USA's. I know you have some variations from state to state over there, and we do too - I have recently found that my planned trip to Mallorca next June towing a 6m boat behind my 8m bus cannot now happen because there I would be too long to drive on the island's roads - I could get as far as southern Spain legally, but I wouldn't be allowed on the ferry across to Mallorca.

You are probably right in that the ski box is regarded as a 'load' rather than part of the vehicle itself - put clearly it is a permanent fixture, so it make you wonder what else you could do...

Jeremy

[Busted Knuckle]

Also if the bus is used for a particular ski lodge/run it is possible to get local permits for the extra length!(if necessary!) BK 

[David Anderson]

Looks like a porto potty on the back of the bus.

David

[Dreamscape]

Or maybe a Mother In Law room......

Paul

Dreamscape

[HighTechRedneck]

... I am "fairly" sure 45-feet max (single vehicle) is the limit, although I am not sure that's not a Federal DOT but rather set by state. ...

It is by state.  This chart includes a lot of useful information about vehicle and towing limits in the U.S. and Canada.  The eigth column lists maximum motorhome lengths (the next column gives max 2 piece limit) for each state or province.

That chart is one of the most useful items I have come across.  It contains a wide range of information pertinent to interstate/interprovince driving by state and province.

[JerryH]

... I am "fairly" sure 45-feet max (single vehicle) is the limit, although I am not sure that's not a Federal DOT but rather set by state. ...

That chart is one of the most useful items I have come across.  It contains a wide range of information pertinent to interstate/interprovince driving by state and province.

Thanks for the info.  I was scratching my head reading that, as it didn't provide a column for single vehicle maximum length ... it shows that 40-foot is the maximum trailer length for NJ.   The correct length is 53-foot.  I keep looking though.

Jerry H.

[belfert]

... I am "fairly" sure 45-feet max (single vehicle) is the limit, although I am not sure that's not a Federal DOT but rather set by state. ...

That chart is one of the most useful items I have come across.  It contains a wide range of information pertinent to interstate/interprovince driving by state and province.

Thanks for the info.  I was scratching my head reading that, as it didn't provide a column for single vehicle maximum length ... it shows that 40-foot is the maximum trailer length for NJ.   The correct length is 53-foot.  I keep looking though.

One would assume that chart is for recreational trailers since Towing World specializes in RVs.  Is the 53' limit for your state for semi trailers or recreational trailers?

Is there any state where a 53' semi trailer is not allowed?

As always, the best way to be sure you are getting the right answers is to look up your state statutes directly.  The people making these charts can make mistakes or not update them fast enough as laws change.

Brian Elfert

Brian Elfert

[sivrtnge2]

you can find almost all of the info that you need in a federal motor carriers road atlas. as to the question about 53' trailers, most of the new england states, all 53' trailers must have a permit if traveled more than a mile off of the interstates. they dont push the law that often but sometimes they do their revenue drives and then they nail the truckers hard!!! as long as they are on designated routes you are ok. my unit is 87 1/2' long. the over all length law has been removed in most us states!!!

[edvanland]

sivrtnge2
What kind of rig do you have that is 97 1/2 feet long.  I assume it must be a three trailer simi.  My MCI 7 with a 24 foot box trailer and a tounge length of 3 feet makes me 67 feet long, I know you are only supposed to be 65 feet, but I have not had any trouble.  HP just goes by and looks at the hitch with the safety chains. 
ED
MCI 7

[sivrtnge2]

I HAVE A W900L WITH A 210 INCH SLEEPER AND I PULL A 53' TRAILER MY TRUCK IS RIGHT AT 400" WHEELBASE !!!

[sivrtnge2]

I GOOFED I NEED TO PROOF READ THESE THINGS BEFORE I SUBMIT THEM. IM 87 1/2' LONG!!!