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Hi Warren. I came here some 48 years ago as a Child, but I have spent most of my summers over the years in McCall ,Idaho where I was born. I have a Ranch there and get back as much as I can. My wife was born here in SB as well as our 4 children. As much as I love Santa Barbara, (I own several businesses here) , I stuggle with what California has morphed into. Gary
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Tuga-
I'm still stuck here working on the lights and brakes still. I'm at approximatley 75 feet. Haven't left CA. yet but have gone 30 miles or so on surface streets w/o a ticket but that is very little. I'm on borrowed time I'm sure. Just "going for it" as you said.
Lew- Writing a book eh ? What are you saying? Are you saying my posts are too long? Yes. I know. I'm a motor finger.
As regards scoffing at the NY parking tickets, yes that is true but those are not moving violations. You can get a jillion of them without it going against your points, insurance, etc. Curious if the overall length ticket would be a moving violation or not. Warren ?
Regarding the post about telling the cops your going to fight the ticket. Dido on that. They get paid to show up in court and the "system" stacks their tickets on the same day. If you ever go to traffic court you'll notice that your cop also happens to be deffending his citations against multiple drivers in that same court session also (so I've heard). Telling them you'll fight the ticket only adds fuel to the fire and puts you in a power struggle your sure to loose. Playing dumb..... the better stradegy for sure ....... "Is threre a problem officer?". Of course I like flicking a booger on the cop if that doesn't work. If the video camera is running on the partrol car (aren't they always?) you could be the first person to be on Craziest Police Chasses Caught on Tape. Hey, that would be good for me. I wonder what kind of speed and conditions I need to get this thing into a power slide. Let me watch the movie Speed one more time to pick up some driving tips first. Need to do that in LA before I leave So Cal for sure.
I've found the cops to be VERY forgivng, polite and everything else that they ARE NOT when I'm in a car. My theory (and it's only a theory) is that they assume you have attny's and such and resources (i.e. money) to fight back if you choose. So the CONCEPT (which may only exist in the figment of my imaginaion I admit) of ........."you'll never work in this town again"....or....." when I get finished with you, you'll spend the rest of your career as a meter maid"..........well, if it ever was going to work or enter into their mind, this (the stopping of a high end coach) might be the time. I have to assume that the reason for the increased polite-ness, as compared to my automobile stops, has some bearing on what I'm driving. Would love to hear others take/comments on this.
I went to traffic court once and was able to lift my file off the desk of the prosecutor when he turned his back; in the fourier, not inside the courtroom. Without a copy of the citation (with my signature) they had to throw it out. I don't recommend "trying this at home" but it really keeps your blood running if you want to try it. And I guess it adds a half a chapter to my book that Tuga said I should write now that I think about it. I did that before I got the bus though so I don't think it counts. Cancel that chapter.
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What is the Federal Law
I hear all the complaints about Kalifornia and it's overall length law for buses (45 feet) towing trailers (not to exceed 65 feet). Can someone tell me what the Federal Law is ?? Is it more generous ??
While doing some research I find that many states mimic Kalifornia for overall length (65 feet) of bus plus tow or trailer.
FYI, someone asked about anyone that had actually been cited in California for over length. I spoke with Karl Blade (of Newell infamy) and he told me he had been cited in California outside Blythe CA on I-10. And yes, he was WAY over length. He found it interesting that he was not ticketed for the coach being over length (it was, by a noticeable amount) but only the combination. He did not protest too loudly.
Michael
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Jeff. From what I have read, there are just a couple of freeways where the CHP is watching closely. Hwy 10. Hwy 40, and maybe Hwy 15. All leaving California.
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Gary or others- I wonder how concered I need to be trying to leave CA. I can't leave to the West without a barge. Should I depart under cover of darkness at 2am to put the odds in my favor ? I wonder.
I've heard the COPS can ticket you OR they could insist that you not move and make alternate arrangements such as calling another tow vehicle to move your trailer or paying to have it towed. For most, this is a theoritcal scenario but for me it's not. Of course I'm going for it either way but all the talk has me wondering what the risk is. I feel like I'm planning a prison break. My gut feeling is that, while clearly illegal in length, the chances of getting stopped or ticketed is low while I'm making a break for the border. Jinx.
Should I wear a poncho and sombraro to make myself less noticeable ?
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Where have I seen that trlr. before, someware on this site? Nice. The height has to be close to max. too hu? If you ever run out of room with that you got too much stuff. Jeff, what is the empty weight on that trlr.?
Looks like youll be raising the roof on the bus to get it to match the trlr hu:rolleyes:
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Got it on good 'authority,' that you cannot expect the CA laws to change. The last time around on this topic was the agreement between the CA DOT and legislators that the law was passed with understanding that it would never come up for discussion again. Period.
That was the deal that was struck.
So, don't believe that it is about to change any time soon. I don't know why CA has come down so hard on this issue, it isn't as if there aren't enough roads in the state, but there you go.
In Florida, you can triple tow. I have seen business class haulers with a fifth wheel behind and then the boat. Now that's nuts IMHO.
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This may help with the Fed length question...
Overall vehicle length
No federal length limit is imposed on most truck tractor-semitrailers operation on the National Network.
Exception: On the National Network, combination vehicles (truck tractor plus semitrailer or trailer) designed and used specifically to carry automobiles or boats in specially designed racks may not exceed a maximum overall vehicle length of 65 feet, or 75 feet, depending on the type of connection between the tractor and trailer.
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Jeff: If I were you I would sneak out of town on Intst. 8 toward Yuma, AZ. Plan on hitting the suspect areas early in the morning just as the Donuts come out of the fryer and the Coffee shops open up. I had breakfast in Blythe one morning about 7:30 and there was at least 6 CHP cars parked out front. They were there before we arrived and still there when we left. Interstate 8 is usually a quiet route with no town of size at the border.
Please put me down for a first addition of your new book. Hook up with Ben in Florida and I'm sure you two could come up with a best seller. " Life in the Million Dollar Coach Lane "
Good Luck and Gods speed.
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Bus Driver
Senore - I drive your bus, I clean for Senoir Jon, but he not let me drive,
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My Amigos say you not need trailer, just Texan Pick up truck:
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no problem