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Trailer Length ?
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Jon When you were in the manufacturing business did you facture in a fluff amount? Say for example a hitch is rated for 10,000. Did the actual braking point be say 15,000? My thought is if a hitch is rated 10,000 and someone is towing 11000 with a loaded trailer is this close enough? I realize there are all kinds of liabity issues that arise by going over the rated amount but what if you are that close? Rick
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The products we built did not get ratings for strength, but were rated for electrical capacity or some performance standard. I have no idea who tests and certifies hitches for example, but our electrical products were built and tested to specific standards, either Canadian CSA standards or UL Standards. We made separators also and their performance required them to meet certain separation standards (only so many parts per million of a given material could pass) at certain flow rates. Those were tested and certified to Plumbing and Drainage Institute Standards. In all cases we exceeded the requirements of the standard when the products were tested, but we never rated a product for an amount greater than the standard they were tested to. A 120 amp electric power outlet carried a 120 amp rating, and a separator that was tested to 35 gallons per minute flow rate was sold as a 35 GPM device. We did not dare suggest better performance because tests are conducted under rigidly controlled conditions and we have no way of knowing if a user in a real world application is going to use the product as intended.
If we tested and rated a hitch at 10,000 lbs. I do know there is no way I would say “I know it won’t break unless you exceed 15,000 lbs.” because for sure somebody out there in the market would figure out a way to break it and we didn’t want the liability. When stuff is tested and certified and we meet the standard for certification we have a lot of protection because we met accepted standards.
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I’m a newby to the Prevost community but I have had 3 years full-timing in a Bluebird towing an HHR. We are about to purchase a 45 ft Prevost and I am concerned about the overall length restrictions. I just can’t go through life hoping that the gendarmes are in a good mood or that I passed the law abiding citizen quick look. Additionally I am truely concerned about the liability issues in the event of accident. Comments? Thanks, Jim Barone
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I have heard that CA is tough on length. At MCC folks pulling a large stacker will arrive in the dark to avoid state troopers. We dont pull a trailer, just a jeep so we are good. Just watch CA.
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Jim,
Welcome to the Community and we look forward to hearing how the transition goes for B B to Prevost, you’re heading in the right direction.
As a Private Coach I don’t recall any issues other than the usual caution in CA. The guys with Stackers hopefully will jump in here.
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Unless you do something really stupid you are not going to be hassled by police in CA for being over length. I have driven up and down 99 and 5 multiple times and all over LA with a 24ft stacker with 40ft coach, with tounge close to 70ft overall length. No problems.
I drive 55 nearly at all times, stay to the right and cops don’t give me a second look. In southern CA it is alot like New Orleans….as my buddy Kyle says, you pretty much have to shoot a handgun out the window to attract police attention!! 😉
One other thing. Guy I bought my stacker from pulled it with a 45ft Liberty. Personally I think that is a bit much, and I dont shy away from things like this. I am basically longer than a semi pulling a 53ft trailer now wihich is the industry norm, that is a lot to park and maneuver, A back up camera on the trailer is a must!
With that said tho, my spread triple axle ATC pulls like a dream behind the 40ft Prevost with an air ride hitch. It is slow up hills but tows vry nice.
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The only time we had information straight from the horse’s mouth was at a rally in South Dakota where we had several SD Highway Patrol officers weight our coaches and then do a safety seminar. They made it clear they have no interest in private coaches, and are only concerned about commercial operators. However they qualified that by saying if we are doing something stupid like speeding, tailgating, etc. then we can expect they are going to write us up for something.
With a couple of my toads I have exceeded the 65 feet most states allow and have never had an issue in 24 years.
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65′ is the limit in some states. I have almost 350K miles towing all over the country. One ticket @ 69′, one warning at 73′; both in California.
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I’m slightly overlength when towing my Jeep GC. I’ve dragged that car all over California, including many trips on I-10 to MCCC in Indio, without any issue. I’ve never heard of anyone towing any car being stopped, ticketed or warned for length. That seems only to happen with big trailers, and I suspect speed or aggressive driving may be the real reason for the stop. Towing a car marks you as a motorhome as opposed to an entertainer or racing team. It’s my unscientific opinion that those vehicles are more likely to be stopped just because the officer is curious about who’s on board. Unless you plan to tow a stretched limo or a full sized 4 door longbed pickup, you will probably be fine. As for liability, as long as you have the correct license and the legally required supplemental braking system and lights, you should also be fine. Be aware that many states require a special license to drive a motorhome over 40 feet long. California requires at least a class B non-commercial license for anything over 40′. I’ve never heard of that law being enforced, but in terms of avoiding potential liabiltiy and preserving insurance coverage, I strongly suggest compliance.
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My wife and I have had four Monacos since 1997. This past March we purchased our first new to us Prevost and have been on Prevost Community since around February. I find all the post very informatinve as well and enjoyable and entertaining to read.
We will be traveling extensivly beginning the Fall of 2015. My wife has sat in for me periodically on long open highway runs. With our impending travels she is wanting to take a driving course in the event my health would fail. Maybe she knows something I don’t. FMCA has had Driver Training periodically at rallies but I have not seen anything yet sponsored by any of the Prevost converters. Any suggestions?
I may need a course on how NOT to be a “back seat driver” as she has been very respectful of my driving. Thanks.
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A great starting point is to pick up a copy of your state’s commercial driver license test handbook. Every state has one.
That book has all the information needed for the written test as well as the practical test. There are obviously some sections that do not relate to your needs, but the information about the systems, pre-trip inspections, and what is expected in the driving test is a great tutorial. I will not suggest a commercial driving school just because I think you need practical training rather than training for a test. But you may want to contact the local school district to see if their manager wants to make a few dollars giving traiining, or if one of the drivers would help out. As an alternative maybe one of the local charter companies would have someone willing to do some instructing.
Some states do require a Class B non-commercial license to drive our type of coach so maybe someone in one of those states can offer some advice.
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Tommy, if you get to Florida over the winter, Lazy Days just outside Tampa offers a course as you describe and you can use your coach.
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Register your coach in Wyoming If you really want a long legal combination. Wyoming allows a maximum combination vehicle length of 85-feet. Single vehicles can be up to 60-feet. Several other western states allow a maximum combination length of 75 feet.
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I don’t think where your rig is registered would make any difference… it would only be legal in the state you are driving in… each state has it’s own regulations that you have to abide by… that being said many have had no problems stretching the length a bit as long as they are quietly obeying all other road rules !!
We often triple tow in Texas with a combined length of over 80′ and have been passed many time by the DPS vehicles and never been questioned. Texas I believe may only allow 65 or 70 feet but they do allow triple towing.
I really doubt that it matters where your vehicle is registered.
Diane
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