Michigan RV's + Trailer Length Warning

[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

[John Kelley]

I found this in the Michigan link and wonder if that would apply to a Trailer Toad ? It does sound like it .....

Length shall not include safety and energy conservation devices including, but not limited to, impact absorbing bumpers, rear view mirrors,turn signal lamps, marker lamps, steps and hand holds for entry and egress, flexible fender extensions, mud flaps or splash and suppressant devices, load induced tire bulge, refrigeration or heating units, or air compressors. A device shall be excluded from a determination of length only if it is not designed or used for the carrying of cargo.

[charlie westcott]

We were pulled over on the way to columbus last year by Barry Archer. He is well known in the area. The truth is, there is no length limit on the books for motorhomes pulling trailers. They define everything in the laws. "truck tractor, semi trailer, etc" No combo for motorhome and trailer. I contacter Mike Nofs, our state senetor, and we had a meeting with the MDOT in march. The last I heard was they were making a new law that says motorhomes and trailers can be 75 ft long. They called here a month ago, and said it was going to happen, that they had approval from everyone before they took it to the floor for the vote. I dont know when that happens, but I will try to find out. The MDOT's response to the fact that there is no length limit for MH and trailer was, "if its not specified in the law, its an illegal combination" thats what it said, they showed me. So I said if you have anything hooked on the back of a motorhome you are illegal? They said (sheepishly) yes.
I will contact Nofs today, and see if I can find out anything.

cw

[Mackie Family Racing]

CW,

shoot big -- many of us Michigander's need a little bit more than 75 feet... 85 would be nice, even if were to require a permit (e.g., Florida) of some sort for the dozen or so times most of us are on the road each summer...

[charlie westcott]

We asked about permits, the dot didnt seem to enthused about that. Not sure why, I would think it would generate more $$ to sell 5000 permits, than to write 100 tickets. They asked me about the length, I didnt feel like it was going to fly to ask for 100', so I figured that 10' over a semi was going to be more feasable, so I suggested75. And if it is 75, than your 80' trailer isnt going to be such a moving target.

[Mackie Family Racing]

CW,

agreed... although I think the 53' trailers behind a big tractor produce a 77' overall length (not dead positive), so that's where I came up with 85' (plus our rig is 82'...!)

srm

[Steve Polhill]

The sad thing is I'm 68' total and have to go through Michigan for Every Div 3 race. I've never had any trouble "YET" I'm wondering if the fact that there is no mention of a Motorhome towing a trailer in the law, would sway an officer once he already has you pulled over.. My experience is they get pissed off when you are an informed driver and doubt their AUTHORITY.. LOL I'll keep a copy of the michigan vehicle code in the motorhome and pray I don't get pulled over.

[BlueOval Ralph]

You need to ook in DOT Regs there is a part bout Bussiness operating with in a 100 or 125 mile radius of the buss that exemptts a lot of the reeg IE lawn care would be a good example.

Originally Posted by 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