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California Length limits

Yahoo Message Number: 86006
We're headed over into California in a couple weeks. As many forum members probably already know California has some incredibly lame rules... like for example Motorhomes between 40-45 feet only allowed on certain state roads and interstates: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/bus-mh/45-bus-map.htm
So naturally if you are in a 43' tag axle like we are the question comes to mind, what if the RV Park is not on the state highway... and thus you have to travel on a county road or two to reach the park? Apparently you are techincally in violation of CA state law. Ridiculous. Obviously we plan to ignore it, but still, we're wondering if any members have any experience with this? I called the appropriate Caltrans office and was told that, well, the traffic fines vary by county and even the CHP writing the ticket doesn't know the fine. Have any other members received a ticket, warning, etc driving a coach longer than 40'?
The second question has to do with towing. Here again the combined length limit is 65'. We are 43+18+5' for the tow bar setup. So here again technically over length. It stretches the imagination to think of a CHP getting out his tape measure and determining one is a foot overlength... but *if* it happened, we're wondering what the potential fine is? Obviously we could decouple the toad and thus be back within the law... and presumably a reasonable CHP would allow this or even require this, if he determined we were overlength, but if you get one in a bad mood, any idea what the fine is?
I also called the Caltrans permit office and could not get any information on how/where one might obtain a permit for the overlength towing, being told that this really only applied to trucks. Anyone have any input here?

Joseph Burkle

2008 Country Coach Inspire 360 Founders Edition 43' quad slide tag axle 425 HP C9 pusher http://www. Wind-seeker.com/

Re: California Length limits

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86007
We have traveled all over California many times since the Fall of 03 with our 42' 10" Intrigue pulling 3 different vehicles with a total length very close to 65 ft. We have never been stopped for any reason. And I know we have traveled some roads we shouldn't have. But I don't make it a habit either. Hwy 199 between Crescent City and Grants Pass and Hwy 29 from Middleton to Calistoga come to mind. Midway Drive between 505 and I80 is another road leading to a Campground that's potentially off limits. That's 3 of hundreds. The only time I travel HWy 1 is near Bodega Bay and access the road from Petaluma. I have traveled HWy 128 to Ft Bragg to Ride the Skunk RR and continued northward. Hwy 1 around Santa Cruz and Below Morro Bay is OK. But I would do a check ride and inspect any further exploration. Driving near the Sierras can be a challenge, too.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: California Length limits

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86009
On 2/20/2013 7:03 PM, Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com wrote:

Quote
Re: California Length limits
Well, I am not an attorney or a peace officer, but I will say that it is my understanding that the 45' length limit applies to Interstates, state highways, and the access needed to achieve these routes. That would seem to me to include moving from, say I-5, to a campground in, say Corning.

I've never seen a CHP officer pull over a long motor home and towed vehicle for length violations (this statement is anecdotal, of course).
It seems to me that the overage, like exceeding the speed limit, has certain "tolerances."

However, the speed limit whilst towing in California is 55MPH. Speaking of those tolerances, you will find that most trucks drive around 61-62 MPH, a gift of 6-7 MPH over the "limit." I have seen both motor homes and pickup trucks (while towing) pulled over for driving around 65-70 MPH. At least, that is my scenario, since I could detect no other reason for their being stopped.

I think the bottom line is, if you don't like California's laws, go elsewhere. And driving 55-60 MPH saves a LOT of fuel.

Ken
-- "The great thing about science is that it's true, whether or not you believe in it." (Neil deGrasse Tyson)

Re: California Length limits

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86010
Having lived in CA for many years until recently, I can attest to not having any problem with their length and license laws for our 40-foot plus Honda Pilot. However, common sense should guide your choice of roads as always. If your state authorizes your vehicle length and your driver's license for said vehicle, you should have no issue. The following is excerpted from California's law regarding your concerns:

Out-of-State Drivers: Non-residents visiting California may not operate an over-length motorhome unless in possession of an out-of-state driver license authorizing the operation of that vehicle. See CVC Section 12804.15(b)(2) ....
LEGAL ROUTES
Access Routes: Over-length motorhomes may travel on virtually every State route EXCEPT those signed with a 30-foot kingpin-to-rear-axle (KPRA) advisory sign. This sign advises trucks with a KPRA of more than 30 feet not to use the route. There are also KPRA advisories signs with 32, 34, 36, and 38 feet. These advisories that are 32 feet and higher ALLOW over-length motorhomes to use the routes. See the advisory sign below.
Advisory Route

Indicates KPRA length advised

In case the signs are not posted as intended, it is recommended that drivers also use the maps as described below.
On-Line Map: See: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/bus-mh/45-bus-map.htm. Click on the red numbers to open each regional map. s/Terry Apple (Former CC Owner)

Re: California Length limits

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86013
We live in California and have never had a problem. When I had the initial inspection for VIN # by CHP he thought we had a 53' because of the 530 after intrigue and he didn't care.
A CHP officer that I work out with at the gym said no CHP officer he knows will pull over a motorhome for length, just if they have a tow vehicle with CA plates and another state on the motorhome plate.

Mark and Helen Surber
07 Intrigue 530 45' 12162
C13 Cat

06 Rubicon LJ

Thank You

Mark Surber

Re: California Length limits

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86014
We are planing a trip to California from Florida this coming summer , good to know about the towing. Any problems with out of state registrations, not meeting the EPA smog requirement for the exhaust? My Caterpillar mechanic recommended looking in to it, any ideas? Thank you Tom

1996 Affinity 48,000 miles
CAT 350

Cadillac on Dolly

Sent from my ASUS Eee Pad

Mark Surber wrote:

We live in California and have never had a problem. When I had the initial inspection for VIN # by CHP he thought we had a 53' because of the 530 after intrigue and he didn't care.
A CHP officer that I work out with at the gym said no CHP officer he knows will pull over a motorhome for length, just if they have a tow vehicle with CA plates and another state on the motorhome plate.

Mark and Helen Surber
07 Intrigue 530 45' 12162
C13 Cat

06 Rubicon LJ

Thank You

Mark Surber

Re: California Length limits

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86015
It is my experience that California does post signs or particularly twisty roads that there is a 40' RV limit or a kingpin ft limit. If you are a bit squeamish about difficult drives I would not take a long motor home down those roads.

Bob & Barbara
Affinity 2002 42'
 

Re: California Length limits

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86052
Thanks to everyone for chiming in on California Length limits and their experience with it. Doesn't sound too likely that being a few feet over whether just the coach or towing is going to get you in much trouble with the law. I really didn't think it would. We are definitely not going to wend our way down any super windy roads anywhere. We avoid them like the plague. Plus our GPS is the Garmin Dezi specifically for trucks and RV's so we have our profile with length, height and weight in there and the garmin will warn us about unsuitable or forbidden roads. We put our total towing length as 65' in the profile that way we are not annoyed by silly over length violation warnings. Iwould love to have had some clue as to what the potential fines look like if you did encounter a policeman with an axe to grind, but I think it is pretty unlikely if one uses a modicum of discretion.

Joseph Burkle

2008 Country Coach Inspire 360 Founders Edition 43' quad slide tag axle 425 HP C9 pusher http://www. Wind-seeker.com/