Stand Back! We don't know how big it's gonna get
It's time to order a trailer to pull behind the bus, and since that's what I do for a living I know where I'll buy it. Question is, how long can I get away with? My understanding is 65' overall is the limit, but we've all seen much longer rigs on the road. I saw a bus pulling a 30' stacker on the way back from "camp prevost" in Jacksonville on Monday. How many of yall have ever been bothered by the cops or DOT? If so, where? A 16' trailer with a 4' tongue + a 45' bus = 65.' I want a tall trailer, say 12', and I'm afraid a 16' will look goofy 12' tall. 20' would be much mo stylish. On the other hand, it would be a shame to spend a bunch of money on something that can't be used legally...
Legal lenghts listed by state
I think that the January issue of FMC magazine has a state by state listing of the legal length of the coach and combination coach + trailer or toad.
If you don't have a back issue just go to www.fmca.com and go to back issues, select January and it should be in it.
I have never been stopped by highway patrol or DOT. I used to tow a Yukon behind a 45' Newell so I was over the 65' limit, but not by much.
Entering California we had to drive thru a check station. They asked if we had any fruit and never mentioned the length of the coach or the toad. Other states that have a 60' limit have never bothered us either.
But, you never know. I say, do what Jeff Bayley would do - GO FOR IT! Hey, Columbus took a chance!:D