45 vs. 46 footer

BUonM22? · 12-22-2009, 06:09 AM

Did a search on length and didn't find the answer, so here goes.

Just got the latest Trailer Life RV Parks & Campgrounds directory and noticed the state towing laws limit length of RV's to 45'. Many of the garage coaches come in at 46'. Do these have to be registered as a commercial vehicle rather than an RV?

What advantages/disadvantages would come with a rig at 46'?

Bob86ZZ4 · 12-22-2009, 01:24 PM

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I know MN doesn't have a max length law but I don't know about the other states. I'm pretty sure if the state you register it in doesn't have the length law you're fine to drive it to other states. We've got a guy here in MN with a Kingsley and a matching stacker that's 90' total. I'm told he gets stopped once in awhile but he just invites the cop in and shows him around and hasn't ever been tagged.

GENECARP · 12-22-2009, 02:01 PM

For the record, there are no 46ft, its always 45, just call it 45, G

BUonM22? · 12-22-2009, 04:09 PM

I agree, if there isn't anything written I certainly call it 45. For the record Minn. has 13 1/2 high, 8 1/2 wide, 45' trailer, 45 motorhome, 70 combined... not that anybody would enforce it, well, maybe in Calif.

thanx for the input

Lar

geofkaye · 12-22-2009, 08:08 PM

....COP ASKS-"HOW LONG ARE YOU OVERALL?"...ROAD DRIVER ANSWER----"ABOUT 7 INCHES ON MY BEST DAYS". THEN THE FIGHT STARTED.......never ask a question that you don't want to hear the answer to......you always say the correct answer - "45 feet-".... geofkaye and the Rivercity Girls....

Bob86ZZ4 · 12-23-2009, 09:41 AM

Wow, I've been a cop in MN for 25 years and I never saw that 45' length law. I'm not much of a traffic guy tho. I guess that proves it too.

geofkaye · 12-23-2009, 05:08 PM

....BOB86ZZ4.....are you in the rubber gun squad?....every cop knows the 45' law!.....and if they don't the will make it up as they go!...just ask any road driver about that the COPS know and don't know...I learned that in the Professional Drivers Radio Net Work....you know, the CB RADIO!.........with 25 in I hope you have a good retirement and you can look back at chasing the bad guys and laugh long and hard!...geof kaye and the Rivercity Girlz....enjoy your holiday and the best in the New Year....

GENECARP · 12-23-2009, 07:58 PM

Not every cop, NYPD Narcotics detective would not know a 45 ft rv from a 45 ft Italian hero. G

Bob86ZZ4 · 12-23-2009, 09:35 PM

Ha, watch it Geofkaye, you're right, I could make anything up along the way if needed. Actually, I'm more up on the law books than the average cop in St. Paul. Just hadn't seen that one before. I wonder when it went into effect? Likely the state troopers would know about it I suppose. I work the street answering calls for everything the citizens call us for. I don't have much time for proactive traffic enforcement. We've got a traffic div. that all they do is traffic. I'll ask them if they know the length law. I'm going to start asking around if anybody knows the max length allowed. I'll post my findings.

Bob E · 12-24-2009, 03:58 PM

Speaking of Mn Cops,...I went up I-35 last Spring, in route to Walker, Mn to pick up a John Deere Tractor I'd bought on Ebay.
Just South of Minneapolis, was stopped by a trooper whom advised that I didn't have the saftey chains "crossed" (between the trailer & receiver hitch).
Well,...I'm also in law enforcement (over 25 years) & never heard of that one.
Anyhow,...after visiting with the trooper for a few minutes, I asked him if maybe he was "profiling" a little. I got an "oooh no" answer but a little sly smile gave him away.
My truck was (is) from Oklahoma, the windows are deep tinted, drivers side & all, and I was "only" doing about 67 mph (speed limit was 70).
It was fairly obvious he was looking for drug mules,...I-35 is a main corridor and anyone not speeding etc,...might be considered a prime.
suspect.
The trooper was also a FTA & had a trainee with him, "demonstrating the ropes".
Anyhow,...we visited (for probably half an hour) & compared notes on working the streets in Mn vs Oklahoma, & I went on my way.
BTW,...we don't profile here in Oklahoma either!!

brokenup · 12-25-2009, 05:46 AM

What everybody is saying is true. My United Specialties is listed as a 45 but actual is 46 (to the lift)

Bob86ZZ4 · 12-25-2009, 06:50 AM

Wow, that's something Bob. That was for sure a bogus reason for the stop. I'd love it if you knew his name and I could razz him about it.

Radman · 12-25-2009, 08:27 AM

I have never been asked how long the coach is (42-43). However, we were recently pulled over in Georgia by a GDOT man. He whips up on us at 80mph plus, slides in behind us and goes for the flashing blue lights. We bring it over to a smooth stop on the shoulder and get the registration, driver’s license and insurance papers out of the glove box for his imminent arrival at the driver’s side window.

Its young guy late 20s and really playing up the tough guy role with the baseball cap, not the flat rim “Smokey” caps we have in MO because he is DOT. He looks at the 2 sheets of paper and a driver’s license in my hand and demands in an even sterner voice, “Give me your truck papers”! It’s reminiscent of the ole WWII movies when the civilians get sopped by the Gestapo. I give him the dumb look as he repeats his demand and I realize he thinks we are a Commercial Truck.

I say, “I don’t have a log book; we are an RV and licensed as an RV in the state of MO, please check the plates on the truck. The tough guy look turns to surprise and then curiosity as he checks the plates. The look is followed by embarrassment that is quickly replaced by more tough talk as he takes my License registration and insurance papers to back to his car. 45 min later, we are ready to get back on the road when he gives me back the paperwork and tells us to drive safely. I ask, why did you pull us over and he says, “You blew through the scales about 30 miles back…now drive safely”.

It all makes sense as to why he pulled us over but what an AH and why 40+ minutes to check us out and cover up his mistake? The whole deal could have been done in 10min and I would be fine with it. Actually it’s not a big deal and probably a learning experience for the GDOT guy (I would hope) and some road side entertainment for us.

Rad

Bob E · 12-25-2009, 04:22 PM

I don't remember the trooper's name however,...he was driving an unmarked (black) Tahoe.

BUonM22? · 12-25-2009, 05:12 PM

And he never asked the length... good news for me since I'm still looking for a garage coach in that max + length... It's a wonder that the windows on the side didn't give the officer a clue about its category...

Doc Weaver · 12-26-2009, 08:08 AM

Radman, I was in Mississippi or Arkansas (somewhere out that way) and in my mirror I see a DOT racing up the middle lane. He comes right up to the side of me......pauses....then pulls off. I guess he realized I was not a commercial truck. I was on my way too an afternoon like yours.

Doc Weaver

geofkaye · 12-26-2009, 06:52 PM

.....guys-sometimes they just a take a run at you for shitz and giggles and to burn up some time before the end of the shift....here, a DOT guy has to take on 8 trucks in an 8 hour shift or he "isn't doing his job"....and how do I know this?...He is a good friend and keeps me legal and updated on what is going on with enforcement.....BUT there are some that patrol all day long and don't stop anything for anything....there are DOT guys that are close to retirement and are slacking'....and who would blame them anyway....imagine a rainstorm and there you are under a truck driven by a towel head and his 5 buddies that have a dump hole and a pizz pipe....and no one speaks ENGLISH well enough to understand that they need to not move the truck or USE THE FACILITIES WHILE BEING INSPECTED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD........geofkaye and the Rivercity Group.....

Bob86ZZ4 · 12-27-2009, 04:39 PM

Hay BUonM22, have you seen this garage coach for sale?: www.balinfamily.com I think that looks like a pretty darn nice rig. I actually talked to the owner about it when I was looking for a coach. The hitch is good for about 10k. I wanted something to pull a stacker so I decided I couldn't get a garage coach.

BUonM22? · 12-27-2009, 05:23 PM

Hey Bob86ZZ4, yup, I've seen it online someplace, and will take another look, thanx for the tip. Darling Wife of course said bedroom stackers seem too much like the p-up camper we had before, and not sure she wants to climb in up there. I know we could do it, but making the bed, that might be another challenge.

Thanx again for the tip... gotta really get into the search, but way too many projects keep getting in the way. Two houses to remodel on the inside and I'm way behind as it is.

Bob86ZZ4 · 12-28-2009, 07:10 PM

There's a few garage coaches here: http://busesandmore.com/rvs/

I'm about 45 minutes away from this place. I've looked at all of them. I like that Coronado Chariot. That's a very very nice one.

You may also like: