OK, here goes. I live in Texas and have a gooseneck trailer that we use for our race cars. I will be moving to California in a couple months and want to enclose this trailer and use it to move with. I went out to get the aluminum to do the job with and the guy there told me my trailer was to long for Ca. laws. I checked on the internet and the maximum length is 40'. I measured mine and it is 40'4" from the pin to the end of the trailer. I have heard they measure from the pin to the rear axle in which case I would be OK. Does anybody know for sure? I would hate to get this thing all done and then have it be illegal out there.

Thanks,
Barry

 

65' Front bumper to Rear bumper. That has been my understanding

 

I ve pulled my 50 ft'er in CA with no problems. Been seen many times, never stopped.

I think they mean 40 ft on the axle spread which you will be under.

 

I've been into Cal about 6 times in the last year....I pull a 44ft enclosed car hauler...maybe its because I'm commercial but they never bother me I run overall 60 ft end to end

 

I'm moving out there and want to register it and don't want any surprises when I try to get Calif. plates for it. Is there any inspection I will have to have before I get plates for it?

 

VIN Plate verification on your vehicles and the trailer

 

I live here and couldent even tell you. It would depend entirly on the mood of the worker you deal with. I have argued with DMV people and been told different things from different offices. Get a Cal motor vehicle and law book and study up. I will see what I can come up with for you.
Here is some tidbits from the 2000 ca hand book of commercial lisc. " A combination of truck tractor and trailer coupled together cannot exceed a total length of 65 feet except as provided in VC# 35401 and 35401.5.
dont know what they are I dont have a vehicle code book. These are for a Ca commercial driver with a cal CDL.

 

Apache, thanks for the info. I know what you mean. I have called two office of the DMV out there and been told two different variations of the law and also called the CHP thinking they would have some info. All they said was not to exceed 65 feet. I found the Vehicle Code for Calif on the internet. All I could find was info for commercial drivers. I'm not sure if it pertains to pick up trucks or not. Even it doesn't make a lot of sence. Guess I will just build it and see what happens when I try to register it out there.

 

65' is the only restriction, i called CHP and they read me an excerpt today. So thier concern is 65' front bumper of truck to furthest rear point of over hang on trailer. BUT he did warn me that alot of 2 lane highways in California also have shorter restrictions than that so you would be limited where you could tow it.

 

As you said RV/ pick up applications may be different. I cant find anything yet on it.

 

That 65' rule included RV/ Recreational applications

 

Thanks to all who have provided all the help. It's hard here in Texas trying to figure out what office of the govt. to call. All the ones I called out there couldn't seem to give me a good answer.

Thanks again. Hope to be living out there again in the near future.

Barry