Towing regs - width and weight

[GoneFission]

I saw an ad for a boat with a 10 foot beam in the classified area, and people need to understand the rules that towing a boat like that fall under.  After a King Mackeral tourney last fall, Todd Korker of Jupiter, Fla., he had to pay almost $2,000 for licenses, tags and flags in order to have his boat released by the N.C. Highway Patrol.  The rules are not new, but law enforcement in several states have started enforcing them more for big boats:  

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets and administers the width and weight regulations for trucks and towing across the United States. Section 658.15 of its web site (http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/) contains the following information regarding vehicle and trailer width:

(a) No State shall impose a width limitation of more or less than 102 inches, or its approximate metric equivalent, 2.6 meters (102.36 inches) on a vehicle operating on the National Network, except for the State of Hawaii, which is allowed to keep the State’s 108–inch width maximum by virtue of section 416(a) of the STAA.
(b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this section do not apply to special mobile equipment as defined in §658.5

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or any other provision of law, the following are applicable:

(1) A State may grant special use permits to motor vehicles, including manufactured housing, that exceed 102 inches in width; and

(2) A State may allow recreational vehicles with safety and/or non-cargo carrying appurtenances extending beyond 3 inches from the side of the vehicle to operate without a special use over-width permit.

This federal law specifies the maximum width for U.S. highway use (except Hawaii) as 102 inches or 8 1/2 feet. However, it also allows the state to grant special permits allowing overwide vehicles to use the roads.

North Carolina allows annual or single-trip permits for vehicles wider than 102 inches. With the permit, these vehicles, up to 12 feet (144 inches) wide, may travel all roads without an escort during daylight hours Monday through Saturday. They’re not allowed on roads from sunset to sunrise and from sunset Saturday to sunrise Monday.

Overwidth permits are administered by the Division of Highways Oversize/Overweight Permit Office. The web site is http://www.ncdot.org/doh/operations/dp_ ... e/permits/. It has links to the rules, applications, schedules and contact information and permit forms may be downloaded. Single-trip permits may be issued by fax for $12. Annual permits are $100 and require processing. They may be mailed in and are usually returned after a couple of weeks.

With the exception of a little confused wording, the basics of towing a boat are proper driver’s license, proper vehicle-weight registration, wide-load permits, flags and/or banners (where needed) and you can’t tow loads wider than 102 inches between sunset and sunrise (darkness) and on Sundays.

Weight is another issue.  Most drivers are issued a Class C license to operate personal automobiles and small trucks.  The towing limit for a Class C license is 10,000 lbs.  

The Class B license is the next step up and is primarily for driving a heavier vehicle. It has the same towing limit as a Class C license. Also from the DMV Web site, a Class B license is: Required to operate any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more that is exempt from CDL requirements (RVs and big SUVs), and any such vehicle while towing another vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less.

The Class A license is the top rung of non-commercial licenses. It covers single-vehicle weight ranges and adds the provision for towing trailers heavier than 10,000 pounds. The DMV says a Class A license is: Required to operate any combination of vehicles exempt from commercial driver license (CDL) requirements with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is greater than 10,000 pounds. Also required for operating any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds, if the vehicle being towed has a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds.

As far as towing boats, the difference between Class C and Class B licenses is the weight of the tow vehicle. Both are only allowed to tow trailers rated to 10,000 pounds. However, a Class A license is required to tow trailers rated heavier than 10,000 pounds.

So be careful if you're thinking about buying a boat this is over 102" wide and may take the combined weight of the boat, trailer, and rigging above 10,000 lbs.  You could be in the same position as those poor guys trying to get home from the King Mackeral tournament!



Let's see - this boat is over 102" wide, over 10,000 lbs gross including boat/trailer/motors/fuel/rigging - so it would require a special permit and a Class A (CDL-type) license.  Did ya know that?      

[Gamble]

The actual beam for the boat in the add is 9' 8" just to clarify.

[Capt. Bob]

The actual beam for the boat in the add is 9' 8" just to clarify.

Let's see... 9 x 12"=108" + 8" = 116"    That's OK then right?  

[John Jones]

I just renewed my Florida DL.  It now specifies:
"Class E - Any non-commercial vehicle with a GVWR less than 26001 lbs or any RV"
This is not a special license.  Standard FL license.

[GoneFission]

Capt. Bob - note the Federal Regulation:  a) No State shall impose a width limitation of more or less than 102 inches, or its approximate metric equivalent, 2.6 meters (102.36 inches) on a vehicle operating on the National Network, except for the State of Hawaii, which is allowed to keep the State’s 108–inch width maximum by virtue of section 416(a) of the STAA.      This is a Federal Reg, so it is not a matter of state rules, and applies to all Interstates and US routes.  Only applies to state roads as mandated by the individual state - NC just applies the Federal rule to state roads as well - many other states do the same thing.     :x

The Federal maximum width is 102" max., or 8 feet 6 inches, so 116 would be over, and would require a special permit.  In many states, an over-width vehicle can also only be operated during daylight hours.  The guys the NCHP caught after the King tournament were charged with overwidth without a permit, overweight for the class of license of the operator, running after dark with an over-width vehicle, and no wide-load banner or indicator.  Cost them $2,000 and several hours of hell.   :cry:

[Capt. Bob]

Satire is often confusing, even to me.

My point being, whether it was 120" (10' beam) or 116" (9'-8" beam) it was still illegal. I don't think "Gamble" was trying to imply that at 9'-8" the boat would be though. I just had a little extra time on my hands today!

[GoneFission]

"Satire is confusing"  - sorry, missed it...  Duh...    

Degree in engineering, not literature or liberal arts.  Work in power industry - need more power?  We got it; want you to have it.   :twisted:

Attempts at humor are aways appreciated - even if I don't get them!  

See ya on the water!

[Gamble]

Wasn't implying that it was legal but actually it is. The 8'9 measurement is outside of the gunnel to outside of the gunnel. If you measure the hull outside port/starboard it just makes it!  

[John Jones]

I think you will find the widest measurement is what the po-po will go with.  Don't forget that how ever wide a boat is, the trailer fenders are usually even wider.

[Gamble]

Good point.

[LilRichard]

Wait wait wait... there is no way you're telling me the TRAILER has to fit into a 102" max width... my hull is ~8' on the FB, and the trailer is prolly another 1' on either side?

[GoneFission]

That's right - 102" max - for the towed vehicle.  If you measure your trailer, you will usually find they come in under the 102 max.  The trailer manufacturers know the rules.  The boat beam may be 8 feet (96 inches), but that is at the gunnel.  Down at the waterline it is usually less.  However, once you start talking about a boat with a beam over 102, now the boat itself will be over width and require a permit - even if the trailer is less than 102.  The boat that got in trouble here in NC had a 10 foot beam - Highway Patrol guys carry a tape measure - and guess what?

[BOB DOC]

Hi, Capn' John, Happy New Year,
Bob Doc here. Now that we're back from holiday travels, it's time to continue my freshening project which will include recanvassing .
Seems like someone said that Rick K was the King of canvas but I'm asking for any help/direction I can get.
It was canvassed from the windshield ( snaps all the way across ), and stretched back aft of the pedastal seats and secured to the gunwale by canvas strap and clips. There was a collapsing double C frame supporting the top.
I still have it and could ship it I guess if needed but as before I'm open to any suggestions provided.
Thanks, and I haven't forgotten you offer of the gas gauge, just haven't gotten there yet.
Hope to hear from you Bob Doc

[Bygracealone]

I wonder if the owner of this boat tows it himself?  With that kind of money, I imagine they just tell their gopher where they plan to board and wa-la it miraculously appears...  

[kris Craft]

You can get permits for the states you travel in.  They are good for one year and are really not very expensive.

Keep in mind if you have an accident towing and oversized boat without the appropriate permits you may not have an insurance claim.


kls