Michigan RV's + Trailer Length Warning

[Bill Klomps]

Just to let you know that we have a very diligent officer of the Michigan State Police working the Port Huron area, clearing the interstate roads of all troublesome RVer's, towing car trailers with a total length greater than 65 feet. Thursday afternoon my son Dave and I had just cleared the Sarnia/Port Huron border crossing, heading for the Indy points race when we were pulled over by the State Police. The first question from the officer was how long was our rig. Then he proceeded to verify that number by measuring it himself. After he checked my drivers license and motorhome registration, he said our rig was over length and would not be permitted to use Michigan roads. At that point I asked if there was an over length permit available to RVer's towing trailers (some states do), he said not. To the officers credit he did not give me a ticket, just a warning. He then told us we had to return to Canada..If we returned to Michigan, our rig would be impounded or at the least we would be fined and I would have to have the trailer towed by another vehicle that is shorter that ours. I realized when I built our rig, there was a chance I may have to unhook, since our rig may be one of the longer ones out there. When we were done with the officer, he gave us an escort back to the bridge and we headed for home, to ponder what to do ( or not ). The question I have is "has there been any work done, as in lobbying elected officials by NHRA , IHRA or dragstrip owners to change the legal length allowed. (longer than 65 feet)? Or at least have an over length permit system like Florida has."
thanks Bill Klomps
Stk 339

[Tom Moock]

Bill, in Nebraska RV, semi. toter home over 65 ft. total length. You have to have CDL license to drive. Call the Michigan state DOT office to make sure what the correct laws are for their state.Tom

[Mack Reeves]

I know that North Carolina has an exemption on length for all rigs either going to or from a racing or test event.....

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Originally Posted by Mack Reeves

I know that North Carolina has an exemption on length for all rigs either going to or from a racing or test event.....

Mack,
Does that exempt from the CDL requirement or just the rig length limit?

[Greg Hill]

Ben and Dave Wenzel were stopped on the way down to Indy this past weekend and were told anything over 65 feet was not legal on the interstate and anything over 59 feet on secondary roads was not legal. They were 61 feet long and were stopped on the interstate. They have a motorhome and 26 ft enclosed trailer. i have a good way around this problem. Stay out of Michigan. I guess with 15% unemployment they don't need any tourist or racer money from out of state.

[FED 387]

Greg---they are getting it not just in the "usual manner"!!!! Comp 387

[Mack Reeves]

Originally Posted by Bobby DiDomenico

Mack,
Does that exempt from the CDL requirement or just the rig length limit?

My understanding if its licened and taged as a motorhome no CDL is required.. Just to be safe might better check with Raleigh...

[Brad Zaskowski]

Easy with the staying out of Michigan Greg, If everyone does that there will be no one for us to race agiainst at the Mid Michigan points meet in July!

Below is a link to what I was able to find on the Maximum vehicle lengths in Michigan. At the bottom it has a special permit section but it says it is for occasional movement of oversized or weight vehicles.

Sounds like about 75% of the rigs that are at the track are overlength in Michigan.

I have heard by us they have been cracking down on lawn care and similar other businesses using vehicles with trailers over 10,000lbs combined for not having DOT numbers. Another crack down lately is for trailers not having the proper braking, emergency braking, lighting, trailer tires, overloading for the axle rating. Pretty much sounds like our wonderful state trying to stir some more $$$$

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Loads_dim_87014_7.pdf

[Adger Smith]

http://www.towingworld.com/PDFS/TowingLaws.pdf
This link is provided by Trailer World. I has length and other issues we could face listed.
I know that posting that link breaks the rules, but it has some very good information (besides length) that everyone towing should know.
I hope the link stays up and helps my fellow racers.

[Don Kennedy]

The best solution or if it is possible is to stay out of the state that is being wrong in the laws , i know any state that is boycotting Arizona for our laws , I won't go to >>>>case close